Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council
Nagata-cho Building 4F, 2-4-3 Nagata-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JAPANTEL:03-6273-3358, FAX:03-6273-3368
E-mail:info@sgec-eco.org http://www.sgec-eco.org

September 29, 2017
Mr. Ben Gunneberg
CEO and Secretary General
the PEFC Council
World Trade Center 1
10 Route de l`Aéroport
1215 Genève, Switzerland
CC: Mr. Michael Berger, PEFC Secretariat
Mr. Johan Vlieger, PEFC Secretariat
CC Dr.Satohiko SASAKI,
President, SGEC

Revision of procedures related to SGEC Document 3 “Principles, Indicators andGuidelines for SGEC Forest Management Certification”(Revision of SGEC Operational Document 3-1 “ Certification Procedures related
to Principle 5-1-5 of SGEC Document 3”)

Dear Ben,
With respect to the two conditions imposed on the endorsement of SGEC by the
PEFC Council as described in Motion 7 (Note1) of the General Assembly Postal Vote 22016, particularly Ainu people’s issue, SGEC has been conducting management of
SGEC scheme based on the procedures set up through consultation with Ainu
Association of Hokkaido and adopted by SGEC Board of Directors on October 14 in lastyear 2016 , as I reported by my letter dated October 30, 2016. In setting theprocedures, SGEC had expressed that the certification procedures would be reviewed
further, based on examination of implementation of certification evaluation by thecertification bodies.
Following the last amendment, SGEC stipulated in SGEC Operational Plan
(Note2) that “certification evaluation procedures will be reviewed based on examinationof the actual implementation of certification process and opinions expressed by the Ainu
Association of Hokkaido”. I hereby report that SGEC has recently further amended
certification procedures after a series of consultation with the Ainu Association of
Hokkaido as shown in Attachment and Annex.
Regarding this new amendment of certification procedures, the Ainu Association of
Hokkaido expressed their views that they recognized this new amendment as an

Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council
Nagata-cho Building 4F, 2-4-3 Nagata-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JAPANTEL:03-6273-3358, FAX:03-6273-3368
E-mail:info@sgec-eco.org http://www.sgec-eco.org

intermediate step and urged further review in next fiscal year and later, reflecting theresult of examination of international standards of certification schemes, etc.
SGEC is now planning to set up a working group for further discussing this issue
under the Expert Committee in the next fiscal year. Candidates of members of theworking group are the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, environmental NPOs, academics
and overseas working experienced experts. SGEC will further continue its effort toestablish certification evaluation procedures for better reflection of the actual situationin the field through a series of discussion in the working group.
It should be noted that, however, it would be unavoidable that the issue of tenure orownership of land and forest resources be discussed in the working group, since NGOs
and the Ainu Association strongly request compliance with ILO169 and UN Declarationon the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The discussion in the working group is foreseen to
be extended beyond the scope of not only domestic laws but also international anddomestic customary laws.
Deliberation of the working group needs to consider the actual situation ofcertification evaluation by certification bodies, opinions and views from experts inrelated fields, status of domestic legislation and other factors, and it might be difficult toreach a consensus based on common understanding and acceptance by all the members
in a short period. If unanimous agreement is difficult, there might be possibility of a casethat the working group concludes with a report appended with a minor opinion.
In spite of the above situation, SGEC will exert its utmost effort to reach a consensus
in the working group in the shortest period of time with necessary examination anddeliberation in order to secure credibility of SGEC forest certification scheme.
The amended certification procedure and the process of the amendment are shownin Attachment and Annex.

Sincerely yours,

Kiyoo NAKAGAWA (Mr.)
Director and Chief of Secretariat
Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council
JAPANSustainable Green Ecosystem Council
Nagata-cho Building 4F, 2-4-3 Nagata-cho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, JAPANTEL:03-6273-3358, FAX:03-6273-3368
E-mail:info@sgec-eco.org http://www.sgec-eco.org

Note1:

Motion 7 of PEFC 2016 general assembly on the endorsement of SGEC
certification scheme :To endorse the SGEC forest certification scheme, subject to the fulfillment of
the two following conditions within six months after a scheme endorsement:a) SGEC shall actively engage with the AINU Association of Hokkaido inorder to develop a mutually acceptable solution for the recognition of
AINU people’s rights in the SGEC forest management standard.

Note2:SGEC Operational Plan FY 2017 (April 1st, 2017 – March 31st, 2018)

3. Dissemination and smooth implementation of internationally endorsed
SGEC forest certification scheme
Dissemination of SGEC certification scheme, which is internationallyendorsed, and PEFC certification scheme, whose administration iscommissioned to SGEC from PEFC Council, should be further promoted.
(1) Review of SGEC certification scheme toward its on dissemination andestablish its foundation
Any issue which arises in the course of application of SGEC standards inthe field should be examined by the Expert Committee in order to securesmooth implementation of the certification.
Regarding standards related particularly to Ainu people’s issue, actual
situation of certification should be examined and certification evaluation
procedures should be further reviewed with consultation with the Ainu
Association of Hokkaido.

Attachment:
Revision of principle 5-1-5 “Principles, Indicators and Guidelines for SGEC Forest Management Certification ” , Operational Document 3-1,SGEC Document
3 – Comparative table on Revised and Previous document
Revised document , SGEC Board approved in September, 2017

Previous document

SGEC Operational Document “3”-1
Procedures of Certification Evaluation with respect to Principle 5-1-5 of SGEC Document
3

SGEC Operational Document * 3-1 formulated in October 2016
Procedures of Certification Evaluation with respect to Principle 5-1-5 of SGEC
Document 3(* SGEC Operational Document: Guiding documents formulated by SGEC as
supplements to SGEC Documents to define and describe detailed matters necessary
for smooth implementation of SGEC Documents)

1. General principle
A forest manager, respecting Convention concerning Indigenous and Tribal
Peoples in Independent Countries (ILO169) and UN Declaration on the Right ofIndigenous Peoples, following international laws such as International Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of International Covenants on Human Rights,
also following related articles of domestic laws such as Act on the Promotion of
Ainu Culture, and Dissemination and Enlightenment of Knowledge about Ainu
Tradition, etc., paying sufficient attention to rights under customary law which are
generated or being generated through general customary practices recognizedinternationally and domestically, shall make consultation with a regionalorganization(s) of Ainu people in accordance with FPIC (Free Prior Informed
Consent) in conducting forest management in an area where Ainu people reside,with respect for culture of Ainu people related to forests and recognition that the
Ainu are the indigenous people who have their original culture and identity.

In operation of Principle 5-1-5, certification evaluation shall be conducted inaccordance with the following procedures.
1. A forest manager in Hokkaido (hereinafter referred as “forest manager”) shallidentify a local organization(s) of Ainu people located in the area concerned as a
stakeholder when acquiring forest management certification.
In this case, information on a local organization(s) of Ainu people in
Hokkaido to be engaged is acquired from municipal governments and otherrelevant organizations such as Ainu Association of Hokkaido upon necessity.
2.

When acquiring forest management certification, the forest manager shall hearviews of the local organization(s) of Ainu people identified through the section
1 above and consult with them on the matters related to the forest management
concerned through meetings, communication measures, etc. in accordance with
FPIC.

3.

In carrying out the consultation defined in the section 2 above, the forest
manager shall make efforts to arrive at a fair solution by taking necessary
measures while fully understanding and respecting indigenous peoples` rights
and others stipulated in ILO 169 and “UN Declaration on the Right ofIndigenous Peoples”, and also following International Convention on the

2. Certification Evaluation Process
In conducting certification evaluation related to Principle 5-1-5 (Ainu people), it
shall be evaluated whether a forest manager deliver explanation and/or makeconsultation in a fair manner in accordance with FPIC with the following
procedures.
1Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
The following matters shall be well considered in the consultation.
• Protection of traditional, cultural and customary rights of Ainu people• Protection of sites of historical, anthropological, cultural and spiritualsignificance for Ainu people(1) A forest manager shall identify a local organization(s) of Ainu people locatedin the area concerned as a stakeholder.
In identifying the local organization(s), the forest manager shall conduct
necessary survey by, for example, acquiring information from local governments
and/or other relevant organizations such as Ainu Association of Hokkaido.

4. The forest manager shall keep written records of the process taken, when theforest manager identifies a local organization(s) of Ainu people, hears theirviews and carries out consultation with them based on the section 1 to 3 above.

(2) The forest manger shall deliver explanation and/or make consultation withthe local organization(s) of Ainu people regarding a management plan (timber
harvesting, forest road construction, etc.) of the forest which the forest
manager(s) applies for certification, through meetings and/or communication
measures. The forest manager(s) shall pay particular attention to the following
issues in managing the forest;

Note 1: Procedures stipulated in this document are subject to further
examination with taking into account review of
implementation of certification evaluation in the
future based on “Note 1” and “Note 2” of Principle 51-5 of SGEC Document 3.

①protection of customary practices of Ainu people in the forest concernedsuch as hunting or gathering of plants used as dye or food②protection of sites of spiritual significance for Ainu people such as“chiminoshiri” (sites for prayer)③protection of other culture and customs of Ainu people related to the forest
concerned<references> Board of Education, Hokkaido• List of cultural assets designated by the national government, Hokkaido
prefectural government and municipal governments• Candidates of designated cultural or scenic sites related to Ainu culture• List of historical remains or monuments of Ainu people• Other Ainu concerned documents related to particular attention shown in
the above (2)(3) In case a solution is not reached through the consultation described in theabove, the forest manager(s) shall seek advice from relevant organizations suchas municipal governments and make further effort to reach a fair solution
2

through, for example, additional explanation based on a field survey anddocument survey upon necessity.
(4) The forest manager(s) shall keep written records of the content and processof the consultation with the local Ainu organization(s). When necessary, awritten record agreed by both sides shall be made.
Note1: Certification evaluation procedures stipulated in this standard are to comply
with 5.6.4 “Forest management activities” of PEFC 1003:2010 “Sustainable
Forest Management -Requirements”.
Note2: This evaluation procedures are to be further reviewed in the next fiscal year
and after, based on the actual implementation of certification evaluation andopinions provided by stakeholders.
<reference>
SGEC Document 3:
Principles, Indicators and Guidelines for SGEC Forest Management
Certification
Requirements for Forest Management Certification<principle related to Ainu people>
5-1-5 Forest manager, recognizing that the Ainu living around the northern partof the Japanese Archipelago, especially in Hokkaido, are the indigenous people
who have their original language, religion and cultural characteristics, shallgive consideration, from a forest management viewpoint, to promotion of the
Ainu policy based upon “the Experts’ report on the promotion of the Ainu
policy” (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Report’), while respecting ILO No.169
and UN Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples, and following Act on
the Promotion of Ainu Culture, and Dissemination and Enlightenment ofKnowledge about Ainu Tradition, etc. (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Ainu
Culture Promotion Act’ ) and International Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Moreover, forest manager in the district where the Ainu are living shall have3

a process/ mechanism to hear views of a regional organization(s) of Ainu as a
stakeholder through explanatory meetings or other measures of communicationand consult with them on the matters related to management of the forest
concerned in accordance with FPIC. With respect to the consultation, forest
manager shall also have a process/mechanism to arrive at a fair solution, while
respecting/following the above-mentioned conventions, declaration, etc.
Note 1: Application of this principle should be conducted in accordance with
the PEFC standard documents, and should not be distinguished between“respecting” and “following” in weighing importance.
Note 2: FPIC: Free, Prior and Informed Consent
Note 3: “Ainu Culture Promotion Act” was enacted in 1997, aiming to realize asociety in which the pride of Ainu people as an ethnic group is respected.
“Advisory Council for Future Ainu Policy” was established within theJapanese government, in response to the “Declaration on the Rights ofIndigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)” adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly in 2007, and the “Resolution to Recognize the Ainu as an
Indigenous People” adopted by the House of Representatives and the Houseof Councilors in 2008 based on the aim of international conventions onhuman rights such as International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination.
Afterwards, the final report of the advisory council, released in July 2009,
stated that the future Ainu policy should be developed based on the recognitionof indigenousness of Ainu people. Furthermore, following the above report,
the “Council for Ainu Policy Promotion” was established in the Government
in order to promote integrated and effective Ainu policy reflecting opinions of
Ainu people etc.
In light of the above historical context, the Government is currently
promoting policies in which priorities are put on promotion, enlightenmentand dissemination of Ainu culture, and improvement of livelihood of Ainu
people.

4

ANNEX

Revision Process of SGEC Document 3 “Principles, Indicators
and Guidelines for SGEC Forest Management Certification”(Revision of SGEC Operational Document 3-1 on certification evaluation
procedures on Principle 5-1-5 of SGEC Document 3)

Content
1.

2.

Drafting of a working document

Consultation with Ainu Association of Hokkaido on certification evaluation
procedures on Principle 5-1-5 of FM standard related to Ainu people(1) First consultation meeting(2) Second consultation meeting

3.

Seminar titled “For better understanding of Ainu peoples in Hokkaido”

4.

Expert Committee Meeting5.

Councilors Committee meeting

6.

Board of Directors meeting

1.

Drafting of a working document

A working draft of the amendment of the operational document on FM certification
evaluation procedures concerning the issue of Ainu people was formulated after
hearing opinions of certification bodies who have engaged in consultation with Ainu
organizations in the course of certification practices in the field, as well asorganizations, academics and NPOs who had submitted opinions when the previous
standards were amended last year.
➢

List of organizations or persons whom SGEC secretariat heard opines of(1) Certification bodies>Japan Forest Technology Association (June 28, 2017)>SGS Japan (June 30, 2017)>Japan Gas Appliances Inspection Association (JIA) (June 28, 2017)(2) Stakeholders in Hokkaido>Director of Forest Planning Division of Hokkaido Prefectural Government (July31, 2017)>Director General of Hokkaido Regional National Forest Office(July 31, 2017)>Other administrative organizations, associations related to forestry and forest
products industries (August 2, 2017)(3) Forestry Agency>Senior Officer in charge of National Forest Planning and other FM certification
concerned Forestry Agency officials (June 28, 2017)(4) Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies, Hokkaido University (July 31, 2017)(5) NPOs who submitted opinions in the process of standard revision in 2016
>Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN) (July 6, 2017)>Global Environmental Forum (June 29, 2017)12. Consultation with Ainu Association of Hokkaido on certification evaluation
procedures on Principle 5-1-5 of FM standard related to Ainu people(1) Record of 1st consultation meeting with Ainu Association of Hokkaidoi) Date and time: August 17, 2017 13:30-14:30
ii) Venue: Ainu Association of Hokkaidoiii) Attendant: Secretary General of Ainu Association of Hokkaido
Secretary General and Division Chief in charge of International Affairs of SGECiv) Agenda: A working draft of the amendment of the operational document on FM
certification evaluation procedures concerning the issue of Ainu peoplev) Minutes (draft, amendment requested but not yet confirmed by Ainu Associationof Hokkaido)➢

Explanation by Secretary General of SGEC
The working draft on the principle 5-1-5 was used as basic text for the
explanation.
(a) SGEC is planning to amend the operational document related to SGEC forest
management certification 5-1-5, as shown in a working draft of the amendmentof the operational document on FM certification evaluation procedures
concerning the issue of Ainu peoples. The draft was formulated by hearing
opinions of certification bodies who have engaged in consultation with Ainu
organizations during certification practices in the field, as well as organizations,academics and NPOs who had submitted opinions when the previous
standards were amended last year.
(b) In formulating the draft, the following points ( ①、②、③) raised by Ainu
Association of Hokkaido in the consultation meeting on August 10, 2016 andthe expert committee meeting on October 3, 2016 were considered.
① Regarding Japanese government unratified conventions; ILO169 and UN
Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples, the ambiguous wording“respect” should be replaced by “follow”.
②Process of FPIC should be elaborated.
③To determine the procedures, FSC standards should be examined.
(c) Basic standpoints of SGEC regarding the above opinions in drafting theamendment are as follows;>Regarding ①, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ofInternational Covenants on Human Rights, in which the rights of religious or2

linguistic minorities to enjoy their own culture are stipulated in Article 27, isadded to reference, and the wording “paying sufficient attention to rights undercustomary law which are generated or being generated through generalcustomary practices recognized internationally and domestically” is also
added.
>Regarding ②, concrete examples of protection of customary practices by Ainu
people and sites of spiritual significance are listed. Also reference documents
are listed.
>Regarding ③, since FSC standards are now on the process of amendment
and the amended standards are to be enacted in 2018, status of
implementation of the amended FSC standard will be examined in the futureduring review of the SGEC procedures.
(d) Based on the above standpoints, SGEC secretariat explained major points of
the amendment as follows;i) As already stipulated in the previous standard, a forest manager shall identify
a local organization(s) of Ainu people located in the area where locates theforest concerned as a stakeholder.
ii) A forest manager shall follow FPIC when making explanation/consultation withthe local organization of Ainu peoples regarding following issues.
①As already stipulated in the previous standard, a forest management plansuch development plan as timber harvesting and construction of forest
roads shall be sufficiently explained.
② Customs and culture of Ainu peoples such as Customary practices by Ainu
peoples in the forest concerned and sites of spiritual significance shall beprotected.
③ Regarding tenure issue that goes back before establishment of current
land ownership in Meiji era over 100 years ago, since there is a view that itis difficult to be recognized as a generating right under internationalcustomary law in the current situation, the issue is not described in theworking draft.
c) SGEC will consider raised issues reflecting various circumstances and will
review the standard accordingly.
(e) The working draft is subject to deliberation in SGEC expert committee meeting
followed by a councilors meeting and a Board of Directors meeting scheduled
in September. Experts and NPOs who attended the expert committee meeting
last year or submitted opinions in other occasions will be invited to the expert
committee meeting.
(f) Certification practices should be conducted based on sufficient understandingon the actual condition of Ainu people for applying standard related to Ainu
people. SGEC secretariat is planning to hold a seminar on Ainu people`s issue
inviting speakers from Ainu Association of Hokkaido.
3➢Opinions by Secretary General of Ainu Association of Hokkaido
The working draft is appreciated as a step forward from the previous standard.
There is a question whether the draft document presented as amendment of theoperational standard is to be applied to actual FM certification practices.
It should be noted that, even with the explanation from SGEC, Ainu Associationof Hokkaido does not accept the draft as the final solution. Amendment of FSC
standards currently under consideration will be reportedly enacted next year. Ainu
Association request that SGEC standard be further reviewed in a prompt mannerbased on the examination of the FSC standards and other international
standards.
Request for dispatching speakers to the proposed seminar will be duly
considered.

➢

Answer by Secretary General of SGEC
The draft document presented today is to be applied to actual FM certification
practices as certification standard after formerly adopted via SGEC standard
setting procedures.
The document is to be further reviewed and amended based on opinions from
Ainu Association of Hokkaido, status of application of FSC standards and actual
situation of SGEC certification practices.
SGEC appreciates positive consideration of dispatching speakers to theseminar.

(2) Record of 2nd consultation meeting with Ainu Association of Hokkaidoi) Date and time: September 5, 2017 16:00-17:00
ii) Venue: SGEC officeiii) Attendant:-Vice Chairman and Secretary General of Ainu Association of Hokkaido- Chairman, Secretary General, Division Chief in charge of International Affairs
and Division Chief in charge of Certification Practices of SGECiv) Agenda: The amendment of the operational document on Principle 5-1-5 of FM
certification standardv) Minutes (draft, amendment requested but not yet confirmed by Ainu Associationof Hokkaido)➢

Vice Chairman of Ainu Association
The draft amendment is accepted as an interim step.
SGEC`s effort to make consultation with Ainu Association of Hokkaido and toorganize a seminar for better understanding of Ainu people is appreciated. It is4expected that culture and customs of Ainu people are understood well andprotected through forest certification scheme.
Regarding SGEC`s explanation on international customary law, Ainu
Association requests SGEC to understand that the basis of Ainu Association
stands on its aim to realize the recommendation by UN Human Rights Council,
an auxiliary body of UN General Assembly, in 2008 on reconsideration of land
rights and other rights of Ainu people and harmonization of those rights with UN
Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Ainu Association requests further review of the standard based on the above.
➢

Secretary General of SGEC
The meaning of remarks by Vice Chairman is well understood.
However, it is requested to understand that SGEC certification scheme is avoluntary non-governmental scheme. SGEC will make effort to cope with Vice
Chairman` s remark within the scope of SGEC as a non-governmentalorganization.
SGEC hopes its certification scheme should contribute to better understanding
and protection of Ainu culture and customs in Hokkaido.
SGEC will continue to consult with Ainu Association to make the certification
standard better.

5

3. Seminar “For Better Understanding of Ainu Peoples in Hokkaido”
The seminar had a significant impact to people engaging in SGEC certification
scheme for better understanding of Ainu peoples.
i) Aim: To deepen understanding of Ainu peoples in Hokkaido in order for securing
appropriate application of SGEC forest certification standard related to Ainu
peoplesii) Title: “Concerning Ainu Peoples”－For better understanding of Ainu people as an indigenous peoples –iii) Date and Time: September 6, 201710:30-12:00iv) Venue: Conference Room of Japan Forest Conservation Association in Tokyov) Speakers: Vice Chairman of Ainu Association of Hokkaido
Secretary General of Ainu Association of Hokkaidov) Participants: around 40 people (SGEC directors, councilors, expert committee
members, certification bodies, NPOs, government organizations)64. Expert Committee Meeting
An expert committee meeting in FY 2017 was held as follows and approved the draftof amendment of certification evaluation procedures on Forest Management
Certification Principle 5-1-5 related to Ainu people as a final draft.
(1) Background
The agenda of the expert committee meeting in FY 2017 was new amendment of
the certification procedures on Forest Management Certification Principle 5-1-5
related to Ainu people. Its previous amendment was approved by the expert
committee meeting held on October 30, 2016. Those who had delivered opinions in
the 2016 meeting were invited to FY 2017 meeting, in addition to the regularmembers. Information of the meeting was also publicly announced in order to invite
attendants widely. Attendants were from Ainu Association of Hokkaido, NPOs,
academics and experts, governmental organizations, etc. as listed below.
(2) Date and time: September 6, 201713:30-15:00(3) Venue: Conference Room of Japan Forest Conservation Association in Tokyo(4) Agenda: A working draft of amendment of SGEC Operational Document “3”-1 on
certification evaluation procedures on Principle 5-1-5 of SGEC Document 3(5) Result of Discussion
The working draft on the principle 5-1-5 was approved with minor changes as a final
draft. The meeting, in approving the draft, imposed a condition that the document
should be reviewed for further amendment in the next fiscal year and after based on
examination of application of the amended procedures to actual certification
practices by certification bodies, and status of application of amended FSC
standards planned to be enacted in April 2018 and other international standards.
It was explained that the approved final draft was subject to adoption by the Boardof Directors after hearing opinions in a councilors meeting.

(6) Attendants
The working draft on the principle 5-1-5 and other Materials for the meeting weresent to the members of expert committee, and, in case of absence, opinions wererequested to be sent to secretariat beforehand.
Fifteen members of the expert committee and 6 observers attended.
Observers were those who would like to refrain from attending under expert status.
They have no voting rights but are free to express opinions at the meeting. Experts
exerted voting rights after hearing opinions from attendants including observers.

7

Table1 Affiliation of Experts
Affiliation
Japan Forestry Association
Tsukuba University
Tsukuba University
Japan Plywood Inspection Association
ex Japan Accreditation Board
Japan Lumber Inspection Association
ex Forestry Agency
Federation of Forestry Labor Unions
Global Environmental Forum
Nippon Association of Consumer Specialists(NACS)
ex Japan International Forestry Promotion andCooperation Center
National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization
Japan Federation of Forestry Associations
Japan Association of Laminated Lumber
Manufactures
Japan Plywood Manufacture`s Association
Oji Forest and Products Co., Ltd.
Japan Federation of Wood Industry Associations
Japan Federation of Forestry Associations
Japan Flooring Association
Japan Wood Products Export Promotion Council
Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd
ex Council for Promotion of Utilization of Domestic
Certified Products

Table 2
Observers
Affiliation
Ainu Association of Hokkaido
Japan Tropical Forest Action Network (JATAN)
Forestry Agency

8

Attendance
〇
〇
〇
〇
〇
〇
〇
〇

〇
〇

〇
〇
〇
〇
〇
〇

Number of Attendants
2 (Vice Chairman and
Secretary General)2
4 (Senior Officer of Planning
Division, etc.)

5. Councilors Committee meeting(1) Date and Time: September 15, 201713:30-15:00(2) Venue: Conference Room of Japan Forest Conservation Association in Tokyo(3) Attendants
List of councilors is listed below.
Materials for the meeting were sent to councilors, and in case of absence opinions
were requested to be sent to secretariat beforehand.
(4) Agenda: A final draft approved by the expert committee on amendment of SGEC
Operational Document 3-1 on certification evaluation procedures on Principle 5-1-5of SGEC Document 3(5) Result
No particular opinions were expressed regarding the content of the proposed final
draft.
Regarding the condition imposed by the expert committee on September 6 that “thedocument should be reviewed for further amendment in the next fiscal year andafter based on examination of application of the amended procedures to actual
certification practices by certification bodies, etc.”, there was a proposal to set up a
working group under the expert committee comprised of Ainu Association of
Hokkaido, environmental NGOs, academics and experts, administrative
organizations, experts with overseas experiences, etc. as further efforts to establish
certification evaluation procedures better reflecting actual situation in the field.
Table 3Affiliation of Councilors

Institute for Global Environment Strategies
Atelier4A
Professor Emeritus of Tokyo University
Professor Emeritus of Tokyo University
Nippon Association of Consumer Specialists(NACS)
Japan Forestry and Forest Products Research InstituteJapan University of Economics
Tsukuba University
Tsukuba University
Global Environmental Forum
Federation of Forestry Labor Unions
Japan Forestry Association
ex Japan Accreditation Board
The Nature Conservation Society of Japanex Forestry Agency
9Vice Chair

Chair

Wild Bird Society of Japan
Conservation International Japan
Wood Miles Forum
Morimori Network
Forest Management Association of Japan10

6. Board of Directors Meeting(1) Date and Time: September 26, 2017(2) Venue:

10:30-12:00

Conference Room of Japan Forest Conservation Association in Tokyo(3) Attendants
Seventeen directors (among 22 directors) and 2 auditors (among 2 auditors)
Materials for the meeting was sent to directors and, in case of absence, opinions
were requested to be sent to secretariat beforehand.

(4) Agenda:
A final draft on amendment of SGEC Operational Document “3”-1 on certification
evaluation procedures on Principle 5-1-5 of SGEC Document 3(5) Result:
The amendment of SGEC Principle 5-1-5, Operational Document 3-1, SGEC
Document 3 was adopted as proposed.
Regarding the proposal given by the councilors meeting on September 15, it was
decided to carry it out as a SGEC activity in the FY 2018 and after as follows:“Regarding the condition given by the expert committee in approving the draft
amendment on September 6 that the document should be reviewed for further
amendment in the next fiscal year and after based on examination of application of
the amended procedures to actual certification practices by certification bodies, etc.,
further efforts are to be made to establish certification evaluation procedures betterreflecting actual situation in the field by setting up a working group comprised of Ainu
Association of Hokkaido, environmental NGOs, academics and experts,
administrative organizations, experts with overseas experiences, etc.
It should be noted that it would be unavoidable that the issue of tenure or ownershipof land and forest resources is discussed in the working group, since NPOs and the
AINU Association strongly request compliance with ILO169 and UN Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and, therefore, the discussion in the working groupis foreseen to be extended beyond the scope of not only domestic laws but alsointernational and domestic customary laws.
Deliberation of the working group needs to consider the actual situation of certification
evaluation by certification bodies, opinions and views from experts in related fields,
status of domestic legislation and other factors, and it might be difficult to reach aconsensus based on common understanding and acceptance by all the members in ashort period. If unanimous agreement is difficult, there might be possibility of a casethat the working group conclude with a report appended with a minor opinion.
In spite of the above situation, utmost efforts should be exerted to reach a consensus
in the working group in the shortest period of time with necessary examination anddeliberation in order to secure credibility of SGEC forest certification scheme.

11Table 4

Affiliation of SGEC Directors and Auditors

Affiliation
Consumption Science Center
Professor Emeritus of Tokyo University
Forest Culture Association
National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization
Japan Paper Association
Japan Plywood Manufacture`s Association

Professor Emeritus of Tokyo University of Agriculture
and Technology
Tokyo University
Japan International Forestry Promotion andCooperation Center

Tsukuba University
Federation of Forestry Labor Unions
PEFC Asia Promotions
Japan Forest Conservation Association
Expert (ex Federation of Japan Forestry Associations)Japan Wood Housing Industry Association
Japan Federation of Wood Industry Associations

Japan Federation of Forest Owners Associations
OISCA
Federation of Japan Forestry Associations
Expert (Japan Federation of Wood Industry
Associations)
Expert (ex Japan Forest Conservation Association)
Expert (Japan Wood Products Information andResearch Center)
Expert (ex Japan Forest Foundation)

12

Title
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Chairman of the Board
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director and Secretary
General
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Executive Director
Auditor
Auditor