Press release: Application of Ramin wood by Pelikan brushes

Pelikan takes responsibility:
Statement on brushes made of Ramin wood

During the last few days, sparked by the Report Mainz broadcast on 08/06/2009, we have received a number of queries from our customers and partners wanting to know what all the fuss is about with regard to the use of tropical woods by Pelikan. We would therefore like to provide you with direct information on this matter.

The Pelikan brand stands for high quality and reliable products. This also applies unlimitedly for all of our brushes, which are subject to intensive quality controls.

It is correct that officially approved Ramin quota wood originating from Malaysia has been used for the production of a number of Pelikan brushes in the past.

For all exports of Ramin wood from Malaysia intended for use in brushes, export permits were obtained from the competent authority in accordance with the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The material for the brush shafts was not obtained from the precious stem wood, but solely from branches and oddments, which are usually burned.

The Pelikan brushes were duly declared in accordance with customs law. However, the additionally required official import permit in accordance with the EC Ordinance on the Protection of Endangered Species was not obtained at the time of import. We are currently endeavouring to obtain a retroactive permit from the competent authority, the Federal Nature Conservation Agency (BfN).

Nevertheless, we have learned from this discussion and are drawing obvious conclusions from it.

In view of the fundamental ecological policy, Pelikan will not even process Ramin wood that has been approved by the CITES Authority for the Protection of Endangered Species for its brushes in the future, but will solely use wood that is unobjectionable in respect of the Endangered Species Act.

We are making every effort to introduce these new products onto the market as quickly as possible. Brushes that are already produced will be sold out after obtaining the permit from the competent authority, the Federal Nature Conservation Agency (BfN).

In addition to this, we are aiming at a sustainable production chain and therefore we are working to obtain an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification of our products.

We hope that we have been able to clarify the situation for you and that you will continue to have confidence in the Pelikan brand in the future.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.