PulpWatch.org - Ratings Criteria

RED category ratings mean this mill does not meet expectations of the Common Vision. The mill is in extreme non-compliance with basic standards set out in the Vision on this issue. Mills with red ratings pose a severe risk to buyers of products from the mill in terms of their own environmental footprint.

ORANGE category ratings mean this mill does not meet expectations of the Common Vision. The mill is in non-compliance with basic standards set out in the Vision on this issue. Mills with orange ratings pose a risk to buyers of products from the mill in terms of their own environmental footprint.

YELLOW category ratings indicate the mill is not in full compliance with standards set out in the Common Vision, but has made real progress toward goals set out in the Vision. Buyers of products from mills with yellow ratings should work with these suppliers to ensure the mills achieve green ratings.

LIME category ratings means the mill has achieved the minimum standard set out in the Common Vision.

GREEN category ratings means the mill has gone above and beyon the standard set out in the Common Vision.

Endangered Forests

  • Green: The mill is verified not to be sourcing any fiber from Endangered Forests; it has worked with Environmental Paper Network members or other stakeholders to ensure this is the case.
  • Lime: The mill is not suspected of sourcing fibre from Endangered Forests (for example, because it is in a low-risk region).
  • Yellow: Either (a) The mill is working closely with relevant NGOs or stakeholders to eliminate Endangered Forest fiber sources, or (b) there is not enough information available to otherwise assign a higher or lower rating.
  • Orange: The mill is (a) known to be sourcing large volumes of Endangered Forest fiber but is working closely with relevant NGOs or stakeholders to eliminate at least the most critical Endangered Forest fiber sources from its supply chain, (b) in a high-risk region with no reliable verification, or (c) the volumes of Endangered Forest fiber used by the mill are comparatively small.
  • Red: The mill is known to be sourcing significant quantities of fibre from some of the most critical Endangered Forest ecosystems on Earth.

Bleaching Technology

  • Green: The mill is totally chlorine-free or process chlorine-free (TCF or PCF). It completely substitutes oxygen-based compounds for chlorine compounds.
  • Lime: The mill uses Enhanced Elemental Chlorine Free (Enhanced ECF) technology with ozone or hydrogen peroxide in initial stages of bleaching processes.
  • Yellow: The mill uses Enhanced Elemental Chlorine Free (Enhanced ECF) technology with extended or oxygen delignification in initial stages of bleaching process. The oxygen delignification must be employed prior to the chlorine dioxide bleaching stage. This removes more of the lignin before bleaching, thus reducing energy and chemical use during bleaching process.
  • Orange: The mill uses traditional Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) technology (i.e., it uses chlorine dioxide instead of elemental chlorine).
  • Red: The mill uses elemental chlorine (EC) bleaching processes.

Forest Certification

  • Green: 100% of the mill's virgin input fibres are FSC Chain of Custody certified (with no controlled wood portion) and 100% of the product output is FSC certified.
  • Lime: 50% or more of the mill's virgin input fibres are FSC Chain of Custody certified and 50% or more of the mill's product output is FSC certified.
  • Yellow: The mill is FSC Chain of Custody certified and one of the following is true: (a) less than 50% of virgin input fibres are FSC CoC certified, (b) less than 50% of output products are FSC certified, or (c) the mill does not disclose its percentages.
  • Orange: The mill intends to source FSC fibres. In other words, the mill is either (a) FSC CoC certified but currently does not use FSC fibres, or (b) has been confirmed by relevant NGOs or stakeholders to be in good faith actively pursuing FSC certification.
  • Red: The mill is not FSC Chain of Custody certified (this includes mills that only have an FSC controlled wood certificate but not a CoC certificate).

Social Rating

  • Green: EPN members and allies (e.g., frontline communities) agree that there are no issues with the mill; the mill is pro-active on these issues if they arise.
  • Lime: There are no known significant issues with this mill, but there is not enough information publicly available to be certain that unreported social issues exist.
  • Yellow: (a) Some social issues exist, but the mill is working in good faith to resolve the issues, or (b) social issues are suspected to exist.
  • Orange: Social issues exist and mill a fair resolution has not been reached.
  • Red: Extreme documented social issues exist involving land rights or human rights.

PulpWatch.org has attempted to record all data as objectively and fairly as possible. If you believe we have omitted or misinterpreted data, please contact us. PulpWatch.org works with stakeholders to reassess both the criteria and ratings on a regular basis.