Taiwan’s Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corporation completes its first CanopyStyle Audit
Published:
by: Laura Repas
- Textile Industry
- CanopyStyle
- Media release
Taipei, New York and Vancouver – April 24, 2020. Today, environmental not-for-profit organization Canopy, third-party auditor NEPCon , and Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corporation (FCFC) released the results of FCFC’s CanopyStyle Audit. The company produces viscose staple fibre, with headquarters Taipei, Taiwan.
The audit report verifies that Formosa has swiftly prioritized sourcing FSC-certified fibre since it adopted a wood procurement policy in spring 2019. While the audit does not fully confirm low risk of sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests and other controversial sources due to a lack of information from some suppliers on origin of forest materials, the company is working to implement its policy at all levels of operations.
“Canopy is pleased to see the company working hard to shift its supply to more sustainable sources and away from Ancient and Endangered Forests,” said Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s Executive Director. “We are committed to providing support to FCFC on its sustainability journey.”
“The CanopyStyle audit has provided a useful learning opportunity for Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corporation,” said Tung-Fen Wu of FCFC. “We are committed to making the necessary improvements and are proud of what we have accomplished to date.”
“NEPCon is pleased to be the independent auditing body for the CanopyStyle initiative and in particular making it possible to meet the growing demand for CanopyStyle Audits throughout Asia,” stated Jon Jickling, Director, NEPCon Solutions. “Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corporation was committed to this third-party assessment of their raw material sourcing.”
Key findings of the audit include:
The public reports from FCFC’s audit evaluations is available for download here: https://www.nepcon.org/sites/default/files/publicsummaries/Formosa-CanopyStyle-assess-19_0.pdf https://www.fcfc.com.tw/Rayon/en/ForestsProt.html For more Information:
Laura Repas Canopy +1-416-729-7484
North America
Gweneth Langdon, NEPCon North America
Tung-Fen Wu, Formosa Chemical Fibre Corporation Taiwan
Canopy Canopy is an international not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting our forests, species and climate. Canopy collaborates with more than 750 companies to develop innovative solutions, to make their fibre supply chains more sustainable, and to help protect our world’s remaining ancient and endangered forests. Canopy’s partners include H&M, Sprint, Penguin Random House, Zara, TC Transcontinental, The Globe and Mail , and Scholastic. Canopy’s work relies on the support of individual donors who share our passion for the planet. www.canopyplanet.org Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation FCFC was established in 1965 and is one of the main members of Formosa Plastics Group. The company was originally engaged in the production and sales of textile and fibre products. Since 1987,it has gradually added plastic products such as PS and ABS. After investing in the sixth set of light oil cracking
plant, Taiwan, it has transformed into a business body focusing on the production of petrochemical and plastic products. https://en.fcfc-plastics.com NEPCon NEPCon is an international, non-profit organisation working to support better land management and business practices that benefit people, nature and the climate. For 25 years, we work with businesses, smallholders, non-profit organisations and governments on developing solutions to major global challenges such as deforestation and climate change. We focus on forest and climate impact commodities and related sectors. Through a well-developed network of local representatives and contractors, NEPCon offers timely and cost-effective certification services around the world. Our focus on mission and impact differentiates our services and strengthens our credibility. www.nepcon.org
The audit report verifies that Formosa has swiftly prioritized sourcing FSC-certified fibre since it adopted a wood procurement policy in spring 2019. While the audit does not fully confirm low risk of sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests and other controversial sources due to a lack of information from some suppliers on origin of forest materials, the company is working to implement its policy at all levels of operations.
“Canopy is pleased to see the company working hard to shift its supply to more sustainable sources and away from Ancient and Endangered Forests,” said Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s Executive Director. “We are committed to providing support to FCFC on its sustainability journey.”
“The CanopyStyle audit has provided a useful learning opportunity for Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corporation,” said Tung-Fen Wu of FCFC. “We are committed to making the necessary improvements and are proud of what we have accomplished to date.”
“NEPCon is pleased to be the independent auditing body for the CanopyStyle initiative and in particular making it possible to meet the growing demand for CanopyStyle Audits throughout Asia,” stated Jon Jickling, Director, NEPCon Solutions. “Formosa Chemical and Fibre Corporation was committed to this third-party assessment of their raw material sourcing.”
Key findings of the audit include:
- While not fully confirmed at low risk, FCFC is in the process of implementing its policy commitments under the CanopyStyle Initiative;
- The company is addressing risk by restricting its supplier to those who can supply FSC certified fibre;
- The company has begun supporting forest conservation solutions in key areas of Ancient and Endangered Forests.
- FCFC engage suppliers to reduce risk of sourcing from Ancient and Endangered Forests and other controversial sources;
- FCFC continues to invest in research and development of impact alternative fibres, with the goal of inputting releasing a fibre line that contain these products.
The public reports from FCFC’s audit evaluations is available for download here: https://www.nepcon.org/sites/default/files/publicsummaries/Formosa-CanopyStyle-assess-19_0.pdf https://www.fcfc.com.tw/Rayon/en/ForestsProt.html For more Information:
Laura Repas Canopy +1-416-729-7484
North America
Gweneth Langdon, NEPCon North America
Tung-Fen Wu, Formosa Chemical Fibre Corporation Taiwan
Canopy Canopy is an international not-for-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting our forests, species and climate. Canopy collaborates with more than 750 companies to develop innovative solutions, to make their fibre supply chains more sustainable, and to help protect our world’s remaining ancient and endangered forests. Canopy’s partners include H&M, Sprint, Penguin Random House, Zara, TC Transcontinental, The Globe and Mail , and Scholastic. Canopy’s work relies on the support of individual donors who share our passion for the planet. www.canopyplanet.org Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation FCFC was established in 1965 and is one of the main members of Formosa Plastics Group. The company was originally engaged in the production and sales of textile and fibre products. Since 1987,it has gradually added plastic products such as PS and ABS. After investing in the sixth set of light oil cracking
plant, Taiwan, it has transformed into a business body focusing on the production of petrochemical and plastic products. https://en.fcfc-plastics.com NEPCon NEPCon is an international, non-profit organisation working to support better land management and business practices that benefit people, nature and the climate. For 25 years, we work with businesses, smallholders, non-profit organisations and governments on developing solutions to major global challenges such as deforestation and climate change. We focus on forest and climate impact commodities and related sectors. Through a well-developed network of local representatives and contractors, NEPCon offers timely and cost-effective certification services around the world. Our focus on mission and impact differentiates our services and strengthens our credibility. www.nepcon.org
