PRESS RELEASE
Kruger Confirms Its Commitment To Sustainable Forest Management
CORNER BROOK PULP AND PAPER OBTAINS
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION TO CAN/CSA Z809-2002
Corner Brook (Newfoundland and Labrador), September 9, 2004 - Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited, a subsidiary of Kruger Inc., announced that it has successfully met the requirements for certification of its defined forest area to CAN/CSA Z809-2002 - Canada’s national standard for sustainable forest management.
With this significant achievement in place, which applies to almost two million hectares of forestland on the Island of Newfoundland, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited will continue to be a leader in environmental performance.
“This is a significant milestone in Corner Brook Pulp and Paper
Limited’s history”, says
Mr. Patrick Tompkins, Woodlands Manager. “For nearly two years,
employees throughout our organization, have worked in consultation with
public and community representatives to focus on this process, to
confirm our commitment to sustainable forest management, and support
continuing performance improvements. I would like to thank and
congratulate our employees and members of our public advisory committee,
who deserve recognition for their work and commitment”.
To achieve CAN/CSA Z809, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited employees and community-based public advisory committee members committed a great deal of time and effort developing a sustainable forest management plan. These public advisory committee meetings determine the values, objectives, indicators and targets that ensure that all forest values are covered in the sustainable forest management plan.
“Our public advisory committee played a vital role in the CSA process”, says Mr. Tompkins. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with them to ensure that ongoing plans reflect the needs of the people who live in the local communities”.
In addition to its CSA achievements, Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited’s woodlands operations are also re-registered to the ISO 14 001 environmental management systems standard. This certification, obtained in 2001, is also an internationally recognized environmental certification system that requires independent, third-party assessment.
“Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited has made a strong commitment to responsible forest management and environmental performance”, says Mr. Tompkins. “We are very proud of our CSA and ISO certification achievements. This demonstrates our ability to manage the forest in a sustainable way”.
CAN/CSA Z809 and ISO 14 001 are complementary certification standards. While ISO 14 001 certifies an environmental management system, which can apply to any type of business, CAN/CSA Z809 is tied to meeting criteria that are specifically directed at sustainable forest management practices applicable to a defined forest area. Together, these thorough certification standards ensure that systems and processes are in place to achieve very high levels of environmental and forest management performance exceeding the laws and regulations.
Corner Brook Pulp and Paper employs over 1500 people from nearly 50 communities throughout Newfoundland. Kruger is a major pulp and paper company engaged in the manufacturing and sale of newsprint, specialty grades, lightweight coated paper, directory paper, tissue, recycled linerboard, corrugated containers, lumber and wood products. Scott Paper Limited, a member of the Kruger Company, is the leading tissue manufacturer in Canada. Scott Paper serves the Canadian consumer market with well-known brands including Cashmere from Cottonelle, Purex, ScotTowels, Scotties, White Swan, Capri and Viva, as well as away from home products for industrial and commercial use across Canada. The Kruger Company has operations in Québec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, the United States, United Kingdom and employs over 10,500 people.