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A new approach to deal with “greenwashing” by companies associated with unacceptable forest practices is being reviewed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

‘Policy for the Association with FSC’ is a draft policy currently under consultation that challenges the issue of partial certification.

A spokesman for FSC said: “It is related to concerns by FSC stakeholders that certain companies are only interested in associating themselves with FSC in order to greenwash their image.

“Some companies have certified operations or areas that comply with FSC requirements, but are also involved with unacceptable forest practices.”

The review follows reports in the Wall Street Journal that FSC member Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) was accused of destroying a vast area of tropical forest on the Indonesian island of Sumatra.

An FSC spokesman said it has been decided the FSC should not allow any association of its name with APP.

FSC’s new draft policy is expected to provide a clearer framework for dealing with cases similar to APP’s, and ensure consistency in deciding on the association of a company with its names and trademarks.