The Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Plan is the European Union (EU) response to illegal logging and deforestation concerns. The Plan recognizes that consumer countries’ demand for forest products contributes to forest loss. The Plan seeks to (i) develop markets for legal products in Europe; and (ii) establish bilateral partnerships (Voluntary Partnership Agreements, VPAs) with producing countries to build their capacity and support reforms in the governance of their forest sectors, in order to reduce the production of illegally harvested timber. The VPAs also seek to establish and implement tracking and licensing systems (Legality Assurance Systems - LASs) to ensure that only legally produced products enter the European Union.
Geographical Areas of Interest
Global
Supply Chain Focus
Forest production
Trade
Related CHapters
Contact Details
European Commission Environment DG
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/contact/contact_en.htmTraceability
One of the goals of the FLEGT VPA is the establishment and implementation of Legality Assurance Systems (LASs) to ensure and demonstrate the legal origin of the wood. The LASs could be built on existing in-country schemes.
Information Accuracy
One of the goals of the FLEGT VPA is the establishment and implementation of Legality Assurance Systems (LASs) to guarantee the legality and reliable tracking of timber products. The LASs include the independent verification of law compliance, and they could be built on existing in-country schemes.
Legality
The FLEGT focuses on capacity-building and improvement of governance in the forest sector of producing countries. A key aspect in establishing an in-country FLEGT VPA is to define what constitutes legal timber, based on national laws and regulations.
SFM
The FLEGT LASs should be based on national standards for forest management, rooted in the national laws and regulations of partner countries.
Social Aspects
The definition of what constitutes legally produced wood in VPA countries should be produced through a multistakeholder dialogue. The definition of legally produced wood should also cover recognition and protection of property rights, especially the rights of forest-dwelling communities.