Timber and paper guideline

Uncontrolled and illegal felling is a significant global threat to forests. Deforestation accelerates climate change and reduces biodiversity. In addition, human rights risks in forestry particularly concern workers’ health and safety, fair remuneration, and land and Indigenous rights.  

Sustainable forestry can be demonstrated through forest certifications. Forest certifications assure that forests are managed in line with strict environmental, social, and economic requirements. Therefore, they can prevent negative environmental impacts, improve working conditions, and promote the rights and financial position of local communities. ​ 

Kesko’s product range includes numerous timber and paper products. For example, timber and building board are typically found in the building and technical trade products, while cooking papers and tissue papers are typical paper goods found in the grocery trade. In the car trade, plywood is used in utility vehicles. In addition to this guideline, wood and cellulose based fibers are included in Kesko’s textile guideline, and wood-based single-use packaging used in own production and warehouses in Kesko’s packaging guideline.  

Kesko does not purchase or sell wood products derived from tree species listed in CITES Appendices I, II or III. CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.  

Commitment 

Kesko’s objective is that by the end of 2028, 100% of its own brand timber and paper products will come from material of sustainable origin. Products are either certified or made from recycled materials and/or materials of verified origin. Primarily, we source products that are certified or made from recycled materials. 

Approved certifications for sustainable origin are:  

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) 
• Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) 
• The Nordic Swan Ecolabel 
• EU Ecolabel 
• Blauer Engel 

Grocery trade 

The commitment applies to Kesko’s own brands, Pirkka, K-Menu, Menu, and myhome products.    

Building and technical trade 

In the building and technical trade, the commitment applies to Kesko’s own-brand (PROF, Goodiy, Cello, FXA) wood-based products.  

In 2013, Kesko’s building and technical trade achieved the PEFC certificate, which covers sawn pine and spruce timber as well as processed timber wholesale distribution in Finland (percentage-based method). Furthermore, all K-Rauta stores in Finland have been covered by the PEFC group certificate since 2019. 

As early as 2009, the building and technical trade ruled that it will not procure products made from endangered tree species growing in tropical natural forests. All wood products made from tropical wood procured by the building and technical trade are certified.  

Car trade 

The plywood installation work carried out by K-Auto for utility vehicles is done exclusively using certified plywood. 

Own construction operations and centralised sourcing 

In our own construction operations, we use FSC or PEFC certified timber only. 

Kesko uses certified paper in centrally procured paper-based direct marketing materials whenever a certified option is available. 
 
Kesko’s timber and paper guideline (previously policy) was first published in 2017. Since then, the scope of the guideline has been broadened to include new brands and product groups.  

Progress of the objectives of the timber and paper guideline in 2024

Kesko’s building and technical trade has been awarded the PEFC certificate, which covers sales of pine and spruce timber as well as processed timber in Finland (percentage-based method). The average PEFC certification percentage in 2024 was 92 % for pine and 85 % for spruce.

Of the timber and paper products in the Pirkka and K-Menu ranges, 91% contained sustainable raw material. The products are FSC, PEFC, or Nordic Swan Ecolabel certified.

In the Menu range, 98% of timber and paper products contained sustainable raw material, of which 57% was FSC-certified, 34% PEFC-certified and 9% made of recycled materials.

Progress in 2021-2024:

*New product group included in Kespro's calculation.

Calculation changed to weight-based in 2024. The figures of the previous years are corrected accordingly.