French company ISB France is facing trial for importing illegally cut wood from Brazil. The trial, which took place before the correctional court of Rennes, is the second of its kind after an initial hearing in June. The investigation was launched following a complaint filed by environmental NGO Greenpeace, along with the France Nature Environnement foundation and the Canopy association.
ISB France, a leader in wood transformation, is accused of marketing timber and derived products that do not comply with the due diligence system. This system, implemented by the European Union Timber Regulation of 2013, requires companies importing timber to assess and reduce the risk of selling illegal timber or timber derivatives. It involves collecting information on the wood and considering factors such as the complete supply chain, corruption index, and NGO alerts.
During the trial, ISB France was accused of “chronological inconsistencies” regarding the dates of control and departure of the imported goods. The loading date on one batch of decking boards was found to be more recent than the invoice. The company’s president, Marc Meunier, defended the inconsistencies, stating that providing a document later does not mean it was not in their archiving system.
At the conclusion of the trial, the Rennes prosecutor’s office demanded a fine of 165,000 euros against ISB France. This fine corresponds to the purchase price of four batches of ipe decking boards, totaling up to 180,375 US dollars, which were cut illegally in the state of Pará between December 2016 and July 2017. The court is set to deliver its deliberation on September 11.
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French company ISB France is currently facing trial for illegally importing cut wood from Brazil. This trial, which is the company’s second following an initial hearing in June, is taking place before the correctional court of Rennes. The investigation was initially launched after a complaint was filed by environmental NGO Greenpeace, along with the France Nature Environnement foundation and the Canopy association.
ISB France, a prominent player in the wood transformation industry, is being accused of marketing timber and derived products that do not comply with the due diligence system. This system, which was established by the European Union Timber Regulation in 2013, requires companies importing timber to assess and mitigate the risk of selling illegal timber or timber derivatives. It involves gathering information on the wood and taking into account factors such as the complete supply chain, corruption levels, and NGO alerts.
During the trial, ISB France was criticized for “chronological inconsistencies” regarding the dates of control and shipment of the imported goods. For example, it was discovered that the loading date on one batch of decking boards was later than the invoice date. In response, the company’s president, Marc Meunier, defended these discrepancies, arguing that providing a document at a later time does not mean it was not in their archiving system.
At the end of the trial, the Rennes prosecutor’s office demanded a fine of 165,000 euros (equivalent to approximately 180,375 US dollars) against ISB France. This fine reflects the value of four batches of ipe decking boards, which were illegally cut in the state of Pará between December 2016 and July 2017. The court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on September 11th.
It is disappointing to see a reputable company like ISB France involved in such illegal activities. It is crucial for businesses to prioritize sustainable practices and respect international regulations. This trial should serve as a reminder for companies to be responsible and ensure their supply chains are ethical and legal.