Foreword
Global Cellulose Fibers (GCF) is an industry leader in renewable, fiber-based products. Our mission is to be the world’s most dependable producer of natural fibers for essential everyday products. We support that mission through a resilient global supply network, in-region teams, and deep technical expertise that help drive product performance, responsible sourcing, and customer confidence.
Purpose
This document is intended to guide sourcing decisions, supplier engagement, due diligence activities, certification alignment, and corrective action processes. It should be used alongside applicable laws, certification standards, customer requirements, and GCF procedures governing fiber procurement and chain-of-custody controls.
Scope
It applies to all GCF employees, contractors, fiber procurement organizations, suppliers, and third parties involved in sourcing fiber for GCF. It governs fiber procurement activities globally and provides the foundation for responsible sourcing decisions, supplier expectations, due diligence, monitoring, and corrective action across our operations.
Our Commitment
We are committed to environmental stewardship, health and safety, sustainable business practices, and responsible management of natural resources. These principles guide our operations, sourcing decisions, and business relationships.
Ethical and Responsible Partnerships
GCF works with customers, suppliers, vendors, contractors, joint-venture partners, and other business associates who demonstrate ethical conduct and comply with GCF’s Third Party and Supplier Code of Conduct.
Sustaining Forests for the Future
Global Cellulose Fibers recognizes that its business depends on healthy, resilient, and sustainably managed forests that support renewable raw materials, biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, and local communities.
Policy
To prevent fiber procurement from contributing to deforestation, forest conversion, or the loss of ecologically significant forest ecosystems, including High Conservation Value forests, GCF maintains sourcing controls and due diligence practices that support long-term forest productivity and resilience.
To put these commitments into practice and support legal, traceable, and responsible fiber procurement, GCF will:
- Source only legal fiber with verified and traceable origins.
- Maintain systems that support traceability to the tract level or another jurisdictionally appropriate sourcing area, depending on geography, available sourcing data, applicable laws, and certification requirements.
- Implement and maintain third-party certified procurement and chain-of-custody systems throughout our operations.
- Support safe, fair, and healthy working conditions throughout our supply chain.
- Engage suppliers, landowners, customers, and stakeholders to advance sustainable forest management, forestry best management practices, biodiversity conservation, and water quality protection.
- Utilize science-based tools, including geospatial mapping, geographic information systems (GIS) technologies, and risk-based due diligence processes to identify, assess, manage, and reduce sourcing risks.
- Promote responsible forest management practices that maintain or enhance biodiversity, ecosystem services, and long-term forest productivity.
- Monitor emerging regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations related to deforestation, biodiversity, human rights, and responsible sourcing.
Prohibited Fiber Sources
GCF will also prohibit sourcing from:
- Unknown or unverifiable origins
- Forests converted to agricultural use, or associated with forest degradation
- Sources associated with illegal harvesting or illegal trade
- Forests where High Conservation Values (HCVs) are threatened by forest management activities
- Sources associated with violations of internationally recognized human rights
- Sources involving forced labor, child labor, discrimination, Indigenous Peoples' rights violations, land tenure conflicts, or conflict timber
- Sources that do not comply with GCF's Chain of Custody certification requirements
- Any controversial source or source determined through due diligence to present unacceptable environmental, social, or legal risk
For this document, forest degradation refers to activities resulting in a significant long-term reduction in a forest's ecological integrity, biodiversity, ecosystem functions, productivity, or natural regeneration capacity.
Monitoring and Verification
GCF monitors compliance with these requirements through a combination of:
- Third-party certification audits
- Supplier assessments and engagement
- GIS tools and mapping technologies
- Internal reviews and management systems
- Field verification activities where appropriate
- Stakeholder engagement and grievance review mechanisms
Where non-conformances or sourcing risks are identified, GCF will work with relevant parties to evaluate the issue, determine appropriate corrective actions, monitor completion, and continually improve sourcing performance.
Third-Party Certification and Landowner Support
Global Cellulose Fibers' independent third-party verification of sustainable forest management, including forest management and Chain of Custody certification systems, remains committed to meeting customer demand for certified fiber products.
We recognize that certification can present administrative, technical, and financial challenges for small landowners. To help address these barriers, GCF invests financial and technical resources to support group certification programs and other initiatives that help landowners achieve and maintain certification of their forest management practices.
Grievances and Reporting Concerns
GCF encourages employees, suppliers, landowners, customers, and stakeholders to raise concerns regarding fiber sourcing practices, environmental impacts, human rights issues, or potential violations of these requirements. Reports will be reviewed and addressed through established GCF reporting and investigation procedures. GCF is committed to responding appropriately, maintaining confidentiality where appropriate, and supporting transparent resolution processes.
