10 Things You Should Know

Voluntary Legality Verification Systems

A number of systems and projects have emerged in response to market demands for legally-sourced products. These resources often involve an independent third-party that verifies the legality of the product against a pre-determined standard or set of criteria and indicators. The legality of the products can be verified at two levels: legality of the origin of the timber (e.g. the place where the timber was cut is legally designated for such use), and the compliance of the harvesting operation with laws and regulations. Legality-verification systems and projects often include chain-of-custody criteria to trace the flow of products through the supply chain and to ensure that verified products are handled separately from non-legally verified products. Below is a general compilation of existing legality standards and voluntary programs put in place by different organizations. Legality is covered in forest management certification standards (e.g. FSC or PEFC); however, because legality is not the main focus of these standards, they are not included in this table. More detailed comparisons of legality verification systems have been done by the Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement (CPET) and others.

Commercial legality verification systems

Bureau Veritas

CertiSource

System/Year: Legality Assessment for Verified Legal Timber (Updated 2010, originally developed in 2007).

Overview:

The legality verification system is currently available only in Indonesia, with plans to expand into other locations. Within two years after an entity joins the CertiSource system, CertiSource policy requires concessions and sawmills to demonstrate a concrete commitment to reaching FSC certification.

Geographic:

Indonesia

Supply Chain: Origin of timber; CoC

Thematic:

Legal right to harvest (1)

Compliance with laws (2)

Taxes/fees (3)

Tenure/Use rights of resources (4)

Trade regulations (5)

Other criteria (6)

Development:

Standard was developed using GFTN's guidelines of timber legality as the generic base., supplemented with Indonesian standards of legality developed by the Indonesian Eco-labeling Institute' (LEI). The LEI standards were developed in the context of a FLEGT process through extensive stakeholder consultation, and were formally approved by the Indonesian Government in July 2009.

Auditing:

Verification is audited by an independent, ISO accredited, Certification Body. Prior to entering a verification process, a supply-chain audit is conducted to eliminate products that are clearly linked to illegal sources. Verification involves certifying overall concession legality and chain of custody compliance at least once a year in addition to auditing legality for every batch of timber processed under the CertiSource system. The system also ensures each pallet of timber can be traced from distributor back to source, and that the CertiSource required commitment from participating concessions and sawmills to achieving FSC certification is adhered to. Voluntary DNA analysis (through Double Helix Tracking Technologies) to scientifically verify the chain-of-custody can also be added.

Contact:

Certisource e-mail: http://www.certisource.co.uk/contact-us/ Tel: +62 881 463 860

Keurhout

System/Year: Keurhout Legal System (Validation of the Legal Origin of Timber; 2004, updated 2009).

Overview:

Standard to validate the legality of the origin of timber. The standard is part of the Keurhout Protocol and is used in conjunction with other four standards, which concern requirements for SFM, CoC, Certification Bodies and Certification Systems. The standard is considered a first step towards SFM certification.

Geographic:

Applicable globally

Supply Chain: Origin of timber

Thematic:

Legal right to harvest (1)

Compliance with laws (2)

Taxes/fees (3)

Tenure/Use rights of resources (4)

Trade regulations (5)

Other criteria (6)

Development:

Developed by Keurhout based on experience, existing references, and expert and stakeholder consultation. The standard was developed in coordination with the Netherlands Timber Trade Association.

Auditing:

Verification of individual certificates or entire certification systems is carried out by an independent Board of Experts (BoE) that includes experts with different disciplinary backgrounds and representing different stakeholder groups. Experts are appointed by the Keurhout Management Authority. Assessments are conducted based on documentation and evidence and, where relevant, may include verification in the field. Validation decisions are made by the BoE. Once validated, a certificate or system is admitted to the Keurhout Legal System. Validity of the admission can be up to 5 years, but it depends on the validity of the individual certificates themselves. Validity includes periodic monitoring. In addition to the Legal System, Keurhout maintains a Sustainable System. In addition, Keurhout also facilitates a CoC system for timber trading and processing companies. The CoC system is verified annually by accredited independent Certification Bodies, which are entitled to issue a Keurhout CoC certificate.

Contact:

Kerhout Tel: +31 24-6454796 E-mail: info@keurhout.nl

Rainforest Alliance (VLO)

Rainforest Alliance (VLC)

SCS Global Services

The Soil Association’s Woodmark

Selected additional resources

Association of South Eastern Asian Nations (ASEAN)

WWF’s Global Forest & Trade Network

WWF Russia, WWF Denmark with assistance from NepCon

Timber Trade Action Plan (TTAP)

^{1- Including: legal tenure, legal rights and authorization to access and harvest the resources.}
^{2- Compliance with laws, regulations and administrative requirements related to forest management, labor, transportation, and health and safety.}
^{3- Compliance with tax/royalties laws and regulations.}
^{4- Respect for tenure or use rights of land and resources that might be affected by timber harvesting rights.}
^{5- Compliance with trade and export laws and regulations.}
^{6- Compliance with international laws and agreements including CITES, International Labor Organization, the Convention of Biological Diversity, etc.}

Sources: CPET, 2011; Donovan, 2010; Hinrichs, 2009; CertiSource, 2010; CertiSource, 2011; CertiSource website; Keurhout Management Authority, 2009; Keurhout Management Authority, 2010; Rainforest Alliance website; Rainforest Alliance, 2010 A; Rainforest Alliance, 2010 B; WWF Russia, 2007; SCS Global Services website; SCS 2010 A; SCS 2010 B; SCS 2010 C; BVG website; BVG 2004; BVG 2010; BVG 2009; BVG, 2010; EcoSylva, 2010; TFT website; GFTN Guide to Legal and Responsible Sourcing website.

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