IKEA, a renowned Swedish furniture retailer, has responded to Greenpeace’s research findings accusing the company of sourcing wood from primeval forests in Romania. In response, IKEA declared that they do not accept wood from protected primary forests for their products. They emphasized that their purchasing methods comply with local and EU regulations and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which ensures responsible forest management.
The FSC label guarantees that wood is extracted sustainably, and IKEA highlighted the importance of robust protection to preserve biodiverse forests. The company welcomed transparent dialogue on the topic but disagreed with Greenpeace’s claims, citing different interpretations of terms like “ancient forests” and “primary forests.” IKEA mentioned that the report suggested age as the sole criterion to define primary forests, while other factors like stand size, species composition, amount of dead wood, and human intervention also play a role.
IKEA stated that they do not accept wood from pristine forest landscapes or areas marked as forests of high conservation value unless certified by the FSC. They conduct annual checks on their supply chains and forests, along with annual audits. The company emphasized their commitment to sustainable sourcing and responsible forest management practices.
