The Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute (LEI)
The Indonesian Ecolabelling Institute (LEI) was established in 1994 as a working group led by Prof. Dr. Emil Salim. Until mid-1998, the group had prepared the implementation of Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) certification. The preparation consists of the development of criteria and indicators for SFM, setting up an assessment system creation of decision-making tools, and capacity building for all stakeholders involved in the certification process.
In developing SFM certification system, LEI invited and involved relevant stakeholders. LEI developed its SFM Certification System, including its C&I, with reference to SFM’s principal and criteria of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), as well as the environmental management system developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
LEI acquired its legal and official status on February 6, 1998. In June 1998, the National Standardization Body of Indonesia officially adopted LEI’s SFM Certification System for production forests.
In the year 2004 LEI organization’s structure underwent a major transformation. The transformation resulted in the changing of LEI organization, from a foundation to a constituent-based organization of CBO.
Stakeholders of sustainable forest management comprising members from businesses, customary/traditional communities, eminent people, and NGOs in natural resource management in Indonesia have constituted the new LEI, through a congress decision on October 20, 2004. As a CBO LEI carries mandates from the constituent to promote fair, just and sustainable resource use in Indonesia through a certification system.
To accomplish such mandates, LEI also must undertake some activities in advocacy, communication, and capacity building pertaining to fair, just, and sustainable resource use.
LEI’s new vision is to be an organization that pursues and promotes fair, just, and sustainable resource use. In pursuing the vision, LEI based itself on some principles: inclusiveness, nondiscriminating, independence, not for profit, partnership, and accountability.
LEI abides by values of justice, transparency, and openness. Such values have inspired LEI to accomplish its mission (a) to develop a credible certification system for fair, just and sustainable resource use, (b) to promote and support policy on fair, just and sustainable resource use, and (c) support fair, just and sustainable natural resources use practices implemented by all constituents especially natural resource-dependent communities. Therefore LEI is very keen on developing the capacity of natural resource-dependent communities on fair, just and sustainable natural resource management.