Tracing the origin of wood is a prerequisite for UPM. UPM verifies that the wood raw material supplied both to the company's own mills and mills owned by external customers is sustainably sourced, legally logged and procured according to the requirements of international forest certification schemes.
UPM's GLOBAL TRACING SYSTEM - OUR TOOL FOR FINDING OUT THE ORIGIN OF WOOD
UPM has had tracing systems for wood raw material in place for nearly two decades. Our tracing systems are based on chains of custody and are integrated into third party certified ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and EMAS management systems. This means that we are able to have complete control over the origin of our own harvesting and ensure that other sources are controlled by contractual terms of agreement and supplier audits.
UPM has also developed a special tracing system for wood sourcing in Russia and the Baltic countries. This system requires that all deliveries from Russia and the Baltic countries must be accompanied by a statement of origin showing a map grid reference for the location of the logging area.
UPM requires that its suppliers implement responsible practices that are consistent with the UPM Code of Conduct and the company's policies and rules, deliver wood that is legally and sustainably sourced and know the origin of wood they deliver.
All impacts on different aspects of sustainability are managed hierarchically with a commitment to:
• National forest and nature protection legislation
• Management of significant environmental aspects according to ISO 14001
• Stipulations of forest certification standards, where applicable
• UPM’s own operational instructions
This commitment is further reinforced by continuous training of the responsible UPM staff and contractors, as well as by continuous development and improvement.
UPM GENERIC CHAIN OF CUSTODY ALLOWS US TO REPORT THE TRUE SHARE OF CERTIFIED WOOD
Chain of custody systems enable certified wood to be monitored and reported.
UPM has created its own UPM Generic Chain of Custody model which meets the requirements for both PEFC and FSC certification. This model allows UPM to demonstrate the true share of certified wood and wood fibre in its products.
UPM’s global forestry and wood sourcing operations received multi-site PEFC chain of custody, FSC chain of custody and controlled wood certificates in summer 2010. In 2011, the scope of the certificates was extended to cover the Overseas Sourcing unit and forest-delivered biomass for energy as well.