The furniture giant Ikea has denied Greenpeace’s claims that they source wood from European primeval forests in Romania. Ikea insists that their sourcing methods comply with local and EU regulations and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which promotes responsible forest management worldwide.
Ikea highlights the importance of protecting biodiverse forests to preserve natural complexity. They invite open dialogue on the issue but disagree with Greenpeace’s report, citing differences in interpretation of terms such as “ancient forests” and “primary forests.” Ikea clarifies that they do not accept wood from pristine forest landscapes or areas designated as forests of high conservation value unless certified by the FSC.
The company emphasizes that their wood is FSC certified, ensuring annual checks on supply chains and forests, as well as annual audits of the supply chain. Ikea argues that criteria beyond tree age should be considered when defining primary forests, including stand size, species composition, dead wood amount, and disturbance level. They remain committed to sustainable sourcing practices and responsible forest management.
