RONA Unveils Wood Buying Policy
RONA, Inc., the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products, has announced its new Wood Products Procurement Policy, one of several sustainability initiatives. Under the new policy, RONA commits to doing business with suppliers who share its vision of sustainability and who have adopted responsible forest management practices.
RONA will recognize all three certifications-the Forest Products marking Program [CSA], the Sustainable Forestry Initiative [SFI] and the Forest Stewardship Council [FSC], but will give preference to the FSC certification with the view that it better meets RONA’s requirements of relationships with indigenous communities and the conservation of biodiversity.
Goals under the policy are:
- To source 100% of commodity lumber [Spruce, Pine, Fir] it sells from certified forests by the end of 2010
- To source 100% of commodity plywood panel products it sells from certified forests by the end of 2009
- To ensure that 25% of commodity lumber it sells is FSC certified by the end of 2012
- To ensure that 30% of wood products available at RONA’s corporate stores bear a certification label by the end of 2010
- By the end of 2011, RONA will require all suppliers to provide chain of custody or traceability of their fibre back to the forest area of origin.
Other sustainable initiatives include:
- no longer selling synthetic pesticides for cosmetic use across Canada, beginning July 1, 2009, and
- adding new products to the RONA ECO and eco-responsible lines in 2009. For more information about RONA ECO and eco-responsible products visit www.rona.ca/eco.