David Jones’ Commitment

Australian companies are now required to have due diligence systems

in place to minimise the risk of importing illegally-logged timber. This

requirement includes sawn timber, plywood, veneer, pulp, paper, wood

furniture and other timber and paper-based products.

David Jones is committed to purchasing all timber, and products with

timber inputs, from legally harvested sources. This commitment is

reflected in our Supplier Code of Conduct, which requires suppliers

to comply with relevant environmental standards and laws in the

countries where they operate and source from.

In meeting this commitment, we will take all reasonable steps to

firstly comply with relevant Australian legislation and regulation, and

then go beyond compliance to ensure that our suppliers are also

taking reasonable steps to minimise their impact on natural resources.

Our Timber Due Diligence Program is in place to ensure that David

Jones has adequate measures in place to ensure the responsible

sourcing of timber. Our program covers a number of merchandise

categories (including books, stationery and furniture) as well as some

non-trade purchases (such as office paper and building supplies).

Where initial due diligence identifies a potentially at-risk product, we

seek evidence of species and origin to inform a risk assessment.

High-risk products are then required to provide credible evidence from

an independent third party that verifies the use of responsible forest

management practices, for example certification from the Forest

Stewardship Council (FSC). In time, we will extend this requirement to

include all timber products, irrespective of their risk profile.

Products assessed to be very high risk (either because documentation

can not be produced or because documentation confirms that timber

has been sourced illegally) will not be purchased by David Jones.

Context

Illegal logging represents a significant issue for

many countries, resulting in degradation of forest

environments, a negative impact on biodiversity

and an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

These impacts also deprive local communities of

opportunities to improve their quality of life by

removing their ability to rely on natural resources

that forests provide.

In Australia, the Federal Government has taken

steps to regulate the importation of timber that

has been logged illegally by enacting the Illegal

Logging Prohibition Act (2012) and supporting

regulation. David Jones must have adequate

measures in place to comply with this legislation.

Definition

Illegal logging refers to timber that has been

harvested, processed, transported, bought or sold

in contravention of local and international laws.

Position Statement

Illegal Logging