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The Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the European Union (FLEGT) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.
The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision.
For the purposes of this agreement, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) ‘Timber and derived products’ : the products listed in Annex I-A;
(b) ‘Timber and derived products in transit’ : the timber and derived products originating from a third country, which come under customs control in the territory of Cameroon and leave it in the same form, whilst retaining their origin;
(c) ‘Import into the European Union’ : the release for free circulation of timber and derived products into the European Union within the meaning of Article 79 of Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code ( 5 ) and which cannot be qualified as ‘goods of a non-commercial nature’ as defined in point 6 of Article 1 of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code ( 6 ) ;
(d) ‘Release for free circulation’ : a Union customs procedure which confers the customs status of Union goods on goods which are not from the Union (with reference to Regulation (EC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code), entailing the collection of any import duties due; the collection, as appropriate, of other charges; the application of commercial policy measures, and prohibitions and restrictions; and the completion of other formalities laid down in respect of the importation of goods;
(e) ‘Export’ : the physical leaving or taking out of the territory of Cameroon timber and derived products produced or acquired in Cameroon, with the exception of timber and derived products in transit through the territory of Cameroon under the control of the customs authorities of Cameroon;
(f) ‘HS code’ : a four digit code as set out in the nomenclature of the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System established by the International Convention on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding System of the World Customs Organisation, in conformity with the combined nomenclatures of the European Union and the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC);
(g) ‘FLEGT licence’ : a certificate which refers to a shipment as being legally sourced and verified in accordance with the criteria laid down in the present Agreement;
(h) ‘Licensing authority’ : the authority designated by Cameroon to issue and validate FLEGT licences;
(i) ‘Competent authorities’ : the authorities designated by the Member States of the Union to verify FLEGT licences;
(j) ‘Shipment’ : a quantity of timber and derived products covered by a FLEGT licence that is sent by a consignor or a shipper from Cameroon and is presented for release for free circulation at a customs office in the Union;
(k) ‘Timber produced or acquired legally’ : timber originating or coming from one or more production or acquisition processes, including imported timber, which conforms entirely to all the criteria laid down in the laws and regulations in force in Cameroon and applicable to the forestry sector, and verified/controlled in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in Annex II.
The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person empowered on behalf of the Union to make the notification provided for in Article 31 of the Agreement, in order to bind the Union.
1. The objective of this Agreement (hereinafter the ‘VPA’) is to provide a legal framework aimed at ensuring that all imports into the Union from Cameroon of timber and derived products covered by this Agreement have been legally produced or acquired.
2. In this context, the Parties, agree, inter alia:
(a)
to promote trade in timber and derived products;
(b)
to establish a basis for dialogue and cooperation;
(c)
to promote the development of the forest industries in Cameroon and to thereby improve the competitiveness of the sector;
(d)
to create and encourage economic opportunities for resident local communities and local enterprises;
(e)
to strengthen the capacities of actors in Cameroon by encouraging the creation of a favourable climate for investment in the sustainable management of forests.
The Union shall be represented by representatives of the Commission in the Joint Implementation Council and the Joint Monitoring Committee set up in accordance with Article 19 of the Agreement.
The Member States may participate in the meetings of the Joint Implementation Council and the Joint Monitoring Committee as members of the Union delegation.
This Agreement applies to all timber and derived products that come under the FLEGT licence scheme and are listed in Annex I-A.
For the purpose of amending the Annexes of the Agreement, on the basis of Article 29 thereof, the Commission is authorised, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11(3) of Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 of 20 December 2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community ( 4 ) , to approve such amendments on the Union’s behalf.
1. A Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Licensing Scheme (hereinafter referred to as the ‘FLEGT licensing scheme’) is hereby established between the Parties to this Agreement. It establishes a set of procedures and requirements aimed at verifying and attesting, by means of FLEGT licences, that timber and derived products shipped to the Union have been legally produced or acquired. The Union shall accept such shipments from Cameroon for import into the Union only if they are covered by those FLEGT licences.
2. The FLEGT Licensing Scheme shall apply to the timber and derived products listed in Annex I-A. The timber and derived products in Annex I-B may not be exported from Cameroon.
3. The Parties agree to take all measures necessary to implement this FLEGT licensing scheme.
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.
1. Cameroon shall designate its FLEGT licensing authority and notify the contact details of the licensing authority to the European Commission. Both Parties shall make this information available to the public.
2. The licensing authority shall verify that timber and derived products have been legally produced in accordance with the legislation identified in Annex II. According to the terms set out in Annex III-A, it shall issue FLEGT licences covering shipments of timber and derived products that have been legally produced or acquired in Cameroon and are for export to the Union.
3. The licensing authority may not issue FLEGT licences for any timber and derived products that are composed of, or include, timber and derived products imported into Cameroon from a third country in a form in which export is prohibited under the laws of the country concerned, or for which there is proof that this timber and these timber and derived products have been produced or acquired in violation of the laws of the country where the trees were harvested.
4. The licensing authority shall document and make publicly available its procedures for issuing FLEGT licenses.
1. The European Commission shall inform Cameroon of the contact details of the competent authorities designated by the Member States of the Union and their respective territorial areas of competence.
2. The competent authorities shall verify that each shipment is the subject of a valid FLEGT licence prior to releasing that shipment for free circulation in the Union. The procedures governing the release for free circulation in the Union of shipments covered by a FLEGT licence are described in Annex IV.
3. Each competent authority shall maintain and publish annually a record of FLEGT licences received.
4. According to national legislation on data protection, the competent authorities shall grant persons or bodies designated by Cameroon as independent auditors access to the relevant documents and data.
5. However, when timber and derived products from species listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and covered by a FLEGT licence enter the Union, they shall only undergo the examination laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein ( 7 ) , as the FLEGT licence also attests to the fact that the timber in question has been legally produced or acquired.
1. FLEGT licences shall be issued by the licensing authority as a means of attesting that timber and derived products have been legally produced or acquired.
2. FLEGT licences shall be laid out on a bilingual form (English and French) and completed in English or French.
3. The Parties may, by agreement, establish electronic systems for the issue, transmission and receipt of FLEGT licenses.
4. FLEGT licences shall be issued in accordance with the procedures described in Annex V.
1. For the purposes of this Agreement, a definition of timber legally produced or acquired appears in Article 1(k) and in Annex II.
2. Annex II also sets out the Cameroon legislation which must be complied with before a FLEGT licence may be issued. It includes ‘legality matrices’, with criteria, indicators and verifiers enabling compliance with the law in force to be established.
1. Cameroon shall establish a system for verifying that timber and derived products have been produced or acquired legally and that only shipments verified as such are exported to the Union. This system for verifying legality includes compliance checks in order to provide the assurance that the timber and derived products destined for export to the Union have been legally produced or acquired, and that FLEGT licences have not been issued for shipments of timber that have not been legally produced or acquired, or that are of unknown origin. The system shall also include procedures to ensure that timber of illegal or unknown origin does not enter the supply chain.
2. The system for verifying the legality of timber and derived products is described in Annex III-A.
3. Cameroon shall verify the legality of the timber and derived products exported to markets outside the Union and sold on the internal markets, and of imported timber and derived products.
1. In the event of the presumed irregularity of a FLEGT licence, the competent authority in question may ask the licensing authority for additional information.
2. If the licensing authority fails to reply within 21 calendar days of the date of receipt of the request, or if the additional information received confirms the irregularity, or if the details appearing on the FLEGT licence do not correspond to the shipment, the competent authority in question will not accept the FLEGT licence and will decide how to proceed pursuant to the national legislation in force. The licensing authority must be informed.
3. If, however, the additional information provided by the licensing authority shows the FLEGT licence to be in order, the FLEGT licence must be accepted and the procedures described in Annex IV must be followed.
1. The Parties agree on the need to call on the services of an independent auditor at agreed intervals to check the performance and efficiency of the FLEGT licensing scheme as set out in Annex VI.
2. Cameroon, in consultation with the Union, shall engage the services of this independent auditor.
3. The independent auditor shall submit his observations to the Parties in reports in accordance with the procedure described in Annex VI.
4. The Parties shall facilitate the work of the independent auditor, including by ensuring that the latter has access on the territory of each Party to the information necessary for the performance of his functions. However, a Party may, in accordance with its legislation on data protection, withhold any information that it is not allowed to disclose.
5. Cameroon shall publish the report of the independent auditor in accordance with the procedures and mechanisms set out in Annexes VI and VII.
1. With the joint aim of protecting the integrity and reputation of the FLEGT licensing scheme put in place under this Agreement, the Parties undertake to inform one another immediately of any concerns they may have regarding potential cases of fraud associated with the use or issue of the FLEGT licences, including for timber and derived products comprising timber of suspect origin from third countries, of fraudulent or dishonest circumvention of the FLEGT licensing scheme.
2. Exports of timber and derived products which have been verified as legal to timber-importing countries other than those of the Union with which Cameroon maintains commercial relations shall not constitute cases of circumvention within the meaning of this Article.
1. The Parties shall agree on a date from which the FLEGT licensing scheme shall be operational.
2. The launch of the issue of FLEGT licences shall be preceded by a joint technical assessment, the objectives and criteria of which are set out in Annex VIII.
1. The Parties hereby agree to the implementation schedule set out in Annex IX.
2. The Joint Implementation Council, provided for in Article 19, working through the Joint Monitoring Committee, shall evaluate the progress of implementation in relation to the schedule set out in Annex IX.
1. The Parties have identified the areas set out in Annex X as those in which there is a need for additional technical and financial resources in order to implement this Agreement.
2. The provision of such additional resources shall be subject to the normal procedures of the Union and its Member States for programming aid to Cameroon and to the budgetary procedures of Cameroon itself.
3. The Parties shall consider the need for a joint arrangement whereby the financing and technical contributions of the European Commission and the Member States of the Union are coordinated to support these processes under the Forest and Environment Sector Programme.
4. Cameroon shall ensure that capacity building for the implementation of this Agreement is included in national planning instruments, the Forest and Environment Sector Programme and the poverty reduction strategies.
5. The Parties shall ensure that activities associated with implementation of this Agreement are coordinated with the relevant development initiatives, such as:
(a)
local development support;
(b)
promotion of forestry sector industrialisation;
(c)
capacity building.
6. The provision of additional resources shall be subject to the procedures governing Union aid, as set out in the Cotonou Agreement, and to those governing the bilateral aid given to Cameroon by each of the Member States of the Union, respecting the principles laid down in the Paris Declaration on Development Aid Effectiveness in so far as the procedures of the donors concerned permit.. In this respect, the additional resources shall finance the activities referred to in paragraph 5, within the context and logic of the Forest and Environment Sector Programme
1. Cameroon shall regularly consult Cameroon stakeholders on the implementation of this Agreement, within a National Monitoring Committee or through other consultative platforms, taking into account its legislation on the forest and fauna scheme and all the laws and regulations in force governing access to information, public participation and access to justice on environmental matters.
2. The arrangements for setting up a National Monitoring Committee and the respective roles of the various Cameroon stakeholders in the implementation of this Agreement are described, inter alia, in Annexes III-A, III-B and X.
3. The Union shall hold regular consultations with the European stakeholders on the implementation of this Agreement, by virtue of the 1998 Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in the decision-making process and access to justice in environmental matters, and on the transposition of Union law.
1. In order to minimise any potential adverse effects of the FLEGT licensing scheme on the indigenous and local communities concerned, the Parties hereby agree to assess the impact of this Agreement on their way of life.
2. The Parties shall monitor in particular the economic and environmental impact of this Agreement on those communities, taking reasonable and appropriate steps to mitigate any adverse effects.
Access to the Union market, under this Agreement, for timber and derived products imported from Cameroon, shall be accompanied by promotional campaigns for the timber and derived products in question. Such campaigns shall include:
(a)
the encouragement of public and private procurement policies that recognise efforts to ensure a supply of legally harvested forest produce, in particular timber and derived products;
(b)
the promotion of FLEGT-licensed timber and derived products on the Union market;
(c)
the promotion at international level of the legality assurance scheme set up under this Agreement.
1. After ratifying this Agreement, the Parties shall set up a decision-making structure designated the ‘Joint Implementation Council’, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Council’, and a consultative structure designated the ‘Joint Monitoring Committee’ (JMC).
2. The Council shall be made up of two representatives, of whom each of the Parties shall designate one. The Parties shall delegate the Council to supervise implementation and shall take its decisions by consensus. Its decisions shall take the form of resolutions signed by the representatives of the Parties. The Council shall be responsible for implementing this Agreement. The Council shall also:
(a)
meet on dates mutually agreed by the Parties;
(b)
establish its own rules of procedure;
(c)
publish an annual report, details of the content of which are described in Annex VII;
(d)
ensure that the work of the JMC is transparent, and that the associated information and results are accessible to the public;
(e)
establish dispute-settlement procedures and help find mutually satisfactory solutions to maintain the good functioning of this Agreement, in accordance with Article 24;
(f)
examine the amendments to the provisions of this Agreement and adopt those relating to the Annexes, in accordance with Article 29.
3. Under the authority of the Council, the JMC, whose members shall be appointed by the Parties, shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Agreement. It shall also facilitate dialogue and the exchange of information between the Parties. The JMC shall also:
(a)
meet at least twice a year on the dates and at the locations determined by the Council, and make consensus-based recommendations for the Council;
(b)
prepare the agenda for its work and terms of reference for joint actions;
(c)
draw up its own rules of procedure, following their validation by the Council;
(d)
preside over its meetings by a co-chair arrangement;
(e)
be permitted to set up working groups or other subsidiary bodies for areas requiring specific expertise.
4. The functions of the JMC are defined in Annex XI.
1. The representatives of the Parties responsible for official communications concerning implementation of this Agreement shall be:
(a)
for Cameroon: the Minister responsible for forests;
(b)
for the Union: the Head of the EU Delegation in Cameroon.
2. The Parties shall communicate to one another in a timely manner the information necessary for implementing this Agreement.
1. Published information represents one of the basic elements designed to strengthen governance during application of this Agreement. In order to achieve this objective, which is intended to guarantee the transparent functioning of the FLEGT licensing scheme in Cameroon and in the Union, the Parties hereby agree to use the most appropriate communication mechanisms, namely: written and audiovisual media, Internet, workshops and various publications. Details of the published information are set out in Annex VII.
2. The Parties also agree that the powers, procedures and functioning of the Council and the JMC are to be published.
1. Each Party undertakes, within the limits of its laws, not to disclose confidential information exchanged under this Agreement. Neither Party shall disclose to the public, nor permit its authorities involved in implementation of this Agreement to disclose, information exchanged under this Agreement that constitutes trade secrets or confidential commercial information.
2. Subject to paragraph 1, the following information shall not be considered confidential:
(a)
the number of FLEGT licences issued by Cameroon and received by the Union and the volume of timber and derived products exported from Cameroon and received by the Union;
(b)
the names and addresses of FLEGT licence holders and of importers.
This Agreement shall apply to the territory in which the Treaty on the Functioning of the Union is applied under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, on the one hand, and to the territory of Cameroon, on the other.
1. The Parties will seek to resolve any dispute concerning the application or interpretation of this Agreement through early consultation.
2. If a dispute cannot be settled through early consultation, the first requesting Party may forward details of the dispute to the Council, which will endeavour to propose arrangements for a settlement to the Parties. The Council shall be provided with all relevant information for an in-depth examination of the situation with a view to finding an acceptable solution. To this end, the Council may refer the file to the JMC. The JMC shall have a time limit set by the Council for submitting its proposed solution to the Council, which shall endeavour to examine every option for keeping this Agreement working properly.
3. In the event that the Council should prove unable to settle the dispute, the Parties may:
(a)
jointly seek the good offices of a third party, or request mediation by a third party;
(b)
if it should prove impossible to settle the dispute according to paragraph 3(a), have recourse to arbitration.
4. The Council shall determine the consultation, mediation and arbitration procedures, which must correspond with those agreed under the Economic Partnership Agreement or, in the interim period, under the Stepping Stone Agreement towards an Economic Partnership Agreement between the Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Central Africa (Cameroon), of the other part.
1. Either Party may suspend the application of this Agreement. The decision on suspension and the reasons for that decision shall be notified to the other Party in writing.
2. The provisions of this Agreement shall cease to apply 90 calendar days after such notice is given.
3. Application of this Agreement will resume 30 calendar days after the Party that has suspended its application informs the other Party that the reasons for the suspension no longer apply.
The Annexes shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
With effect from its entry into force, this Agreement shall remain in force for a period of 7 years, and shall be renewable by tacit agreement between the Parties for periods of the same length, unless one Party terminates this Agreement by notifying the other Party of its decision at least 12 months before expiry of the period under way.
Notwithstanding Article 27, either Party may denounce this Agreement by notifying the other Party. This Agreement shall cease to apply 12 months after the date of such notification.
1. Acting through its representative on the Council, a Party wishing to amend this Agreement must notify the other Party of its proposal at least 3 months before the next meeting of the JMC. The Council shall instruct the JMC to examine the proposal. If a consensus is reached, the latter shall prepare a recommendation, which it shall notify to the Council for its consideration. Each representative shall examine the recommendation, and if it approves it, shall inform the other, so that a date can be agreed for its signature, following which each Party shall adopt it according to its own internal procedures.
2. Any amendment so approved by both Parties shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which the Parties notify each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this purpose.
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article, and without prejudice to the examination by the JMC, amendments to the Annexes shall be adopted by the Council.
4. Notification of any amendment shall be sent to the depositaries of this Agreement and shall enter into force at the time and in the form laid down in paragraph 2 of this Article.
This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish and Swedish languages, each of these texts being authentic. In case of divergence, the French text shall prevail.
1. This Agreement shall enter into force on the first day of the month following the date on which the Parties notify each other in writing of the completion of the respective procedures necessary for this purpose.
2. Notification shall be sent to the Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and to Cameroon’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, who shall be the joint depositaries of this Agreement.
ANNEX II
LEGALITY MATRICES
I. Definition of legality
The legality of timbers placed on the market is based on compliance with national laws and regulations and duly ratified international legal instruments, the application of which is necessary in order to guarantee the viability of forest management by the producing and/or exporting enterprise, its suppliers and subcontractors, in the name of the owners of the forest (the State, the local government district, a private owner or a community).
The definition of legality drawn up by consensus by all the stakeholders in this spirit may be summarised thus:
‘Any timber which has been verified/controlled as originating or coming from one or more production or acquisition processes that meet all of the statutory and regulatory provisions in force in Cameroon applicable to the forest sector shall be deemed to be legal timber.’
The definition of the legality of the commercial timbers is based on the knowledge and application of the laws and regulations in force in Cameroon, and on compliance with the international legal instruments duly ratified by Cameroon in the forest, commercial, environmental, social and human rights fields. The national laws and regulations under consideration include in particular:
—
the Constitution of the Republic of Cameroon,
—
Law No 81-13 governing forests, wildlife and fishing of 27 November 1981, not fully repealed, and its implementing texts (including implementing Decree No 83-169 of 12 April 1983, not repealed),
—
the new forest law No 94-01 governing forests, wildlife and fishing of 20 January 1994, and its implementing texts (including PM Decree No 94-436 of 23 August 1994 (of which not all the provisions have been repealed), PM Decree No 95-531 of 1995 and other decisions and circulars in force),
—
the framework law relating to environmental management, No 96/12 of 5 August 1996, and its implementing texts,
—
Order No 222 MINEF ( 1 ) of 25 May 2001 laying down the procedures for implementing the DFP ( 2 ) forest management plans,
—
Law No 2002/003 of 19 April 2002 setting out the General Tax Code,
—
the legislation governing investment (Law No 2002/004 of 19 April 2002 relating to the investment charter, amended by Law No 2004/020 of 22 July 2004),
—
Decree No 99/781/PM of 13 October 1999 laying down the application procedures for Article 71(1) of Forest Law No 94/01 of 20 January 1994 governing forests, wildlife and fishing,
—
Decree No 2005/577 of 23 February 2005 on EIEs and Order No 0069 MINEP ( 3 ) of 8 March 2005 on the categories subject to EIEs ( 4 ) ,
—
the various annual finance laws,
—
the Employment Code, Law No 92-007 of 14 August 1992,
—
the legislation governing social security ( 5 ) ,
—
the phytosanitary regulations (MINADER ( 6 ) ),
—
the national collective bargaining agreement (April 2002) of the companies involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities (exercise of the right to form a union, staff representative, employment contract, working conditions and salaries, health and safety, etc.).
The international legal instruments referred to above include, inter alia:
—
the Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems of Central Africa and establishing the Central Africa Forests Commission – COMIFAC (February 2005),
—
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), signed on 3 March 1973 and amended on 22 June 1979,
—
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), signed in June 1992.
The application of the provisions of these international legal instruments shall follow their transposition into the national legislative texts.
Any amendment to these texts and any new legislation in this field will give rise to a subsequent amendment to this Annex.
The following elements were also taken into consideration when drafting this definition of legality:
—
the various initiatives developed on the subject of legality (TFT-TTAP ( 7 ) , REM ( 8 ) , TRAFFIC ( 9 ) , CoC ( 10 ) , FSC ( 11 ) etc.),
—
the PROFOREST proposal ( 12 ) of 6 September 2005 relating to traceability,
—
the ‘FLEGT Briefing Notes’
( 13 ) published by the European Union,
—
the reference tool FORCOMS (Forest Concession Monitoring System) relating to conformity to regulations, first version 2005, followed by consolidated version of February 2007 for Cameroon),
—
the tools OLB-BVQI ( 14 ) and TLTS-SGS ( 15 ) of February 2006 relating to legality,
—
the report ‘Definition of legal timber according to the texts and regulations in force in Cameroon’ (GTZ/PGDRN ( 16 ) – MINFOF ( 17 ) ) of 15 February 2006,
—
the report ‘Legality of VPA Timber in Cameroon (comparative approach of different systems)’, GTZ document of May 2006,
—
the COMIFAC ( 18 ) report (WRI ( 19 ) -UICN ( 20 ) -IFIA ( 21 ) ) on the FORCOMS project phase II of February 2007,
—
the draft legal text by COMIFAC on forest control in Central Africa of October 2007,
—
the PCI ( 22 ) OAB/OIBT ( 23 ) & audit manual/OIBI series No 14 – 2003.
II. The legality matrices
Based on the definition of legality, Cameroon has produced a set of legality matrices intended to be used to check conformity of the operation (against the legal provisions) of the forestry entities ( 24 ) active in Cameroon, as well as that of the products they produce. These matrices are the result of participatory and ongoing work incorporating the concerns of the various stakeholders.
The broad range of legality matrices stems from the fact that Cameroon forest legislation stipulates many timber supply methods, in relation to which the legality concerns differ. Each of the matrices has thus been designed to clearly highlight the specific legal requirements associated with each of the supply methods stipulated by the Cameroon legislation. Bearing in mind these specific features, eight legality matrices have already been produced for different timber supply sources: the permanent forest domain (DFP) is made up of land definitively allocated to forest, the non-permanent forest domain (DFNP) is made up of forest land which may be allocated to uses other than forest domain (agro-forest domain), and finally, the timber processing units (UTB).
In the permanent forest domain (DFP)
— legality matrix 1 (LM1) : logging agreement (CE),
— legality matrix 2 (LM2) : communal forest (FCle); State logging.
In the non-permanent forest domain (DFNP)
— legality matrix 3 (LM3) : salvage licence (ARB),
— legality matrix 4 (LM4) : harvested timber removal licence (AEB),
— legality matrix 5 (LM5) : cut timber sale (VC) in the national domain,
— legality matrix 6 (LM6) : community forest (FC); State logging,
— legality matrix 7 (LM7) : special permit (PS); ebony logging in the national domain and the communal forests.
In the timber processing units (UTB)
— legality matrix 8 (LM8) : timber processing units (UTB).
The table below summarises the various timber supply sources and the associated legality matrices.
Title
Supply source
CE
VC
ARB
AEB
State
PS
PBO
APC
F. Private estate forest (FD)
LM1
LM4
F. Communal forest (Cle)
LM4
LM2
LM7
F. National domain forest (FDN)
LM5
LM3
LM4
LM7
F. Community forest (FC)
LM4
LM6
F. Private forest (FP)
Timber processing unit (UTB)
LM8
In order to cover all the different means of access to the timber resource that are available under existing legislation and are listed below, other legality matrices will be produced during the system operationalisation phase, whenever they are found to be relevant.
These are:
—
Legality matrix for private forests (FP),
—
Legality matrix for lumber permits (PBO),
—
Legality matrix for personal timber licences (APC),
—
Legality matrices of communal forests (FCle) and community forests (FC), when logging other than State logging takes place (VC, PBO, APC).
The legality matrices are made up of criteria, indicators and verifiers, and are involved in the global Legality Assurance System (LAS), the functioning of which is described in detail in Annex III-A.
The criteria and indicators have been analysed and subsequently tested in the field for all the matrices, and only the criteria and indicators of relevance in each specific matrix have been retained.
III. Method of use
With the exception of the matrix relating to timber processing units, the legality matrices have been drawn up on the basis of five (5) common criteria, which deal respectively with the regularity:
—
of the administrative and legal aspects (criteria 1),
—
of the logging and forest management (criteria 2),
—
of the transport (criteria 3),
—
of the social aspects (criteria 4),
—
of the environmental aspects (criteria 5).
Dependent on the matrices, these criteria are broken down into a variable number of indicators, which reflect the different legal obligations associated with these different timber supply sources.
The conformity of the indicators is assessed on the basis of the verifiers. For an indicator to ‘conform’, all the associated verifiers must first be deemed to conform.
The conformity of the verifier is based on the availability of the technical documents issued by the various administrations, which are stipulated in the regulatory texts and are, for the most part, available for consultation in the central database of the Ministry responsible for forests (second generation computer system administering forestry information – SIGIF II).
The issue of a ‘certificate of legality’, which represents one of the requirements for the issue of a FLEGT licence (see Annex III-A), is only possible provided all the indicators conform.
MATRIX 1: LOGGING AGREEMENT
Criterion 1: The logging/processing forestry entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The forestry entity has legal personality, holds approval as a logger and is registered as a timber processor
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 41 of Law 94/01 of 20 January 1994
—
Articles 35(1), 36, 114 and 140(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), of Decree 95-531
—
Law 98/015 of 14 July 1998 relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious
—
Decree 99/818/PM of 9 November 1999 laying down the provisions for setting up and operating [the establishments in question]
—
Order No 013/MINEE/DMG/SL (Ministry of Energy and Water/Mines and Geology Division/SL of 19 April 1977 repealing and replacing Order No 154 of 28 March 1957 coding dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious establishments
Verifiers
1.1.1
Certificate of domicile (natural person)
1.1.2
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.1.3
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority
1.1.4
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of Appeal
1.1.5
Authority to set up and operate a first class establishment from the Ministry responsible for the industry
1.1.6
Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests
Indicator 1.2: The forestry entity holds a forestry concession and has a logging agreement concluded with the administration responsible for forests
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 46, 47(1), (2) and (3) and 50(1) of Law 94/01
—
Articles 61, 75(1), 76(4), and 77 of Decree 95/531
—
Articles 68, 69 and 70 of Decree 95/53
Verifiers
A - Under a provisional or definitive logging agreement
1.2.1
Notice of public invitation to tender
1.2.2
Receipt for registration of a complete file relating to the award of the forestry concession
1.2.3
Notification of the results of the interministerial committee selecting the forestry entity as the best bidder, by the Minister responsible for forests
1.2.4
Proof of deposit of the surety with the Public Revenue Department within the prescribed deadlines
1.2.5
Provisional logging agreement signed by the Minister responsible for forests
1.2.6
Receipts/requests for transfer addressed to the Ministry responsible for forests by the concession holder and the applicant
1.2.7
Notification of transfer of the concession by the competent authority
1.2.8
Receipts for payment of the transfer tax stipulated by law
B – Under a definitive logging agreement
1.2.9
Certificate of conformity with the clauses of the provisional logging agreement
1.2.10
Order approving the management plan issued by the Minister responsible for forests
1.2.11
Five-year management plan and operation plan for the current year
1.2.12
Terms and conditions signed by the competent authority and the forestry entity
1.2.13
Deed of classification
1.2.14
Authority to set up and operate a first class establishment from the Ministry responsible for the industry, or receipt of declaration (2nd class)
1.2.15
Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests
Indicator 1.3: In the event that the logging/processing activity is subcontracted, the subcontracting forestry entity has documents confirming the regularity of the situation
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1), 36, 114 and 140(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.3.1
Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2
Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3
Receipt for registration of the agreement approved by the local authorities of the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.4
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.3.5
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority (logging)
1.3.6
Authority to set up and operate a first class establishment from the Ministry responsible for the industry (processing)
1.3.7
Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests (processing)
1.3.8
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer with the office of the competent court
Indicator 1.4: The forestry entity has not been suspended or had its approval or right withdrawn by the administration
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 146, 150 and 152 of Law 94/01
—
Chapter 3 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 130, 131, 132, 135(2), 136 and 137 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.4.1
Records/files of offences published by the competent administrations
1.4.2
Register of disputes of the competent local departments
1.4.3
Suspension decision of the Minister responsible for forests, substantiated and challenged, if applicable
Indicator 1.5: The forestry entity has complied with its tax obligations under existing law
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 66 and 69 of Law 94/01
—
Article 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
1.5.1
Tax patent
1.5.2
Certificate of solvency/tax certificate of the competent tax office
Criterion 2: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its obligations as regards logging and forest management
Indicator 2.1: The forestry entity has competent and adequate professional resources, either internally or through the agency of a natural person or legal entity, to perform the management work
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 23, 40(3), 63 and 64 of Law 94/01
—
Article 35 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.1.1
Approval of the enterprise or its various subcontractors having been involved in certain management activities (inventories, forestry)
2.1.2
Service contracts with (an) approved structure(s) or a public body
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity holds a legal harvesting licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 44 and 46 of Law 94/01
—
The standard model of the provisional and definitive agreement and the associated terms and conditions under sheets 2 and 3 (PROC)
—
Article 17 of Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management
—
Article 20 of Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
Verifiers
2.2.1
Letter of approval of the terms of reference for the audit/environmental impact study
2.2.2
Environmental conformity certificate
2.2.3
Annual harvesting site certificate (CAAC) or annual operating permit (PAO)
2.2.4
Notification of the start of activities
Indicator 2.3: The forestry entity respects the existing logging rules in the areas awarded
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 51(1) and 73(1), (2) of Decree 95-531
—
Articles 4(1), (2), (3), (4) and (6), 12(1) and (2) and 13(1) and (2) of Order No 222
—
Sheets 6, 14 and 17 PROC
—
Logging inventory rules
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.3.1
Count certificate or certificate confirming respect of the logging rules
Indicator 2.4: The forestry entity respects the timber quantities awarded to it (number of stems/volume) in accordance with the requirements of the certificate/annual permit
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 46(3), 72(1) and 125(2) and (3) of Decree 95-531
—
Article 6 of Order No 222
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
—
Sheet 6 PROC
Verifiers
2.4.1
Worksite books (DF10) or SIGIF declaration
2.4.2
Count certificate
Indicator 2.5: The forestry entity has complied with its tax and forestry tax obligations associated with its activity(ies)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 66, 67 and 69 of Law 94
—
Article 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
2.5.1
Certificate of registration of the bank guarantee if required under the articles of association of the entity
2.5.2
Payment receipts (annual forestry charge [RFA], felling tax [TA], plant entry tax [TEU]), local development taxes or other forestry taxes if stipulated in the terms and conditions) for the current year and the year preceding the year of verification
Criterion 3: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its obligations as regards timber transportation
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the logs produced or purchased on the local market for processing in its installations are accompanied by all the necessary documents and the regulatory markings to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 115(1), (2) and (3), 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.1.1
Secure waybills, signed by the competent authority
3.1.2
Certificate of legality of the supplier(s)
Indicator 3.2: The forestry entity ensures that the logs imported for processing in its installations are accompanied by the necessary documents to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.2.1
Import licences issued by the competent authorities responsible for forests and finance
3.2.2
International waybills stamped for the entire route
3.2.3
Certificates of origin and phytosanitary certificates from the exporting country
3.2.4
FLEGT licences from the country of origin, or any other private certificate of legality/sustainable management recognised by Cameroon (reference tool of the private certificate system incorporating the principal elements of the Cameroon legality matrices)
Indicator 3.3: The forestry entity ensures that the timber and derived products from its installations are transported entirely legally and are accompanied by all the documents required in order to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(2) and (3) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.3.1
Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the transportation of logs and cut timber by road
3.3.2
Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
3.3.3
Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading report of the forestry department and the place of loading
Criterion 4: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to employment law, social security law and the collective bargaining agreements of the timber industry
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 61(2) and 62(2) of Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992 setting out the Employment Code
—
Decree No 2008/2115 of 24 January 2008 revaluing the minimum guaranteed interprofessional salary (SMIG)
—
Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising social security
—
Decree 74-26 of 11 January 1974 laying down the application arrangements of certain provisions of Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising the National Social Security Fund
—
Decree No 74-723 of 12 August 1974 laying down the rates of contributions owed to the CNPS (National Social Security Fund) for the family allowances and the old age pension, invalidity pension and death benefit insurance
—
Law No 69-LF-18 of 10 November 1969 establishing a scheme for old age pension, invalidity and death benefit insurance, amended by Law No 84/007 of 4 July 1984
—
Order No 039/MTPS/IMT of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MTPS) laying down the general provisions relating to health and safety at the workplace
—
Order No 019/MTPS/SG/CJ of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of 26 May 1993 laying down the election arrangements and conditions for exercise of the duties of staff representatives
—
The national collective bargaining agreement (April 2002) of the companies involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
—
Order No 11/DEC/DT (Employment Division) of 25 May 1978 laying down the arrangements for the summoning and appearance of the Parties before the Employment Inspector for the settlement of employment disputes
—
Practical directives from the International Labour Organization (ILO)
—
Law 64/LF/23 of 13 November 1964 protecting public health
—
Law 98/015 of 14 July 1998 relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious
—
Decree 99/818/PM of 9 November 1999 laying down the provisions for setting up and operating [the establishments in question]
—
Currently valid matrix of the salaries of the enterprises involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
Verifiers
4.1.1
Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
4.1.2
Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.3
Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.4
Reports on the election of staff representatives
4.1.5
Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
4.1.6
Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
4.1.7
Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
4.1.8
Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district
Indicator 4.2: The forestry entity respects the social obligations prescribed by the Forestry Code
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 36 and 61(1) and (3) of Law 94/01
—
Article 85 of Decree No 95/531
—
Articles 5 and 6 of Order No 222 laying down the procedures for the preparation and approval of PAs
—
Article 14 of the model terms and conditions of the final agreement
—
Decision 135/B/MINEF/CAB of 26 November 1999 laying down the forest classification procedures of the permanent forest domain
—
Decision No 0108/D/MINEF/CAB of 9 February 1998 applying the Rules on activities in forest areas
—
Chapter II of the Rules on activities in forest areas
Verifiers
4.2.1
Terms and conditions
4.2.2
Reports on the realisation of the social projects laid down in the terms and conditions
4.2.3
Minutes of the information meeting on logging under the forestry right, signed by the all the stakeholders
4.2.4
Land allocation map
4.2.5
Report on the socioeconomic studies
4.2.6
Minutes of the meeting reinstating the socioeconomic study
4.2.7
Record/file of offences/report
Criterion 5: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to the protection of biodiversity and the environment
Indicator 5.1: The forestry entity has made the necessary arrangements to prohibit the involvement of its staff in poaching, commercial hunting and the transportation or trade in hunting equipment and means. It encourages, supports and/or initiates all campaigns seeking to ensure application of the regulations in relation to hunting and to the protection of the fauna on its sites
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 95 and 101(1) of Law 94/01
—
Article 11(1) and (3) of Order No 222
—
Decision No 0108/D/MINEF/CAB of 9 February 1998 applying the Rules on activities in forest areas
—
Terms and conditions of the final agreement
—
Chapter VI of the Rules on activities in forest areas (Articles 28, 29 and 30)
Verifiers
5.1.1
Internal rules
5.1.2
Memoranda giving details of the ban on poaching and transportation of bush meat
5.1.3
Memoranda publishing any penalties
5.1.4
Food supply plan
5.1.5
Record of offences
Indicator 5.2: The forestry entity has complied with the environmental legislation and implements the identified mitigating measures
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 18(1), (2) and (3) of Law 94/01
—
Articles 3 and 4 of Order 0069/MINEP of 8 March 2005
—
Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
—
Article 11(1) and (2) of Order No 222 of 25 May 2001
—
Article 16 of the terms and conditions of the CDE (Enterprise Development Centre) defining the special observations on logging around the periphery of the protected areas (buffer strip) (UFA [Forest Management Unit])
—
Decision No 0108/D/MINEF/CAB of 9 February 1998 applying the Rules on activities in forest areas
—
Articles 17, 79 and 82 of Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management
—
Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging
Verifiers
5.2.1
Environmental inspection report
5.2.2
Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
5.2.3
Record of environmental offences
MATRIX 2: STATE LOGGING OF A COMMUNAL FOREST
Criterion 1: The logging forestry entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The forestry entity has legal personality and has a forest that has been classified on its behalf or that it has itself planted
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 30 and 35 of Law 94/01
—
Article 17 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.1.1
Instrument creating the local government district
1.1.2
Letter of approval of the management plan by the administration responsible for forests
1.1.3
Deed of classification of the communal forest
1.1.4
Property title in the case of a plantation
Indicator 1.2: In the event that the logging activity is subcontracted, the subcontracting forestry entity has documents confirming the regularity of the situation
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1), 36 and 140(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.2.1
Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.2.2
Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.2.3
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.2.4
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority (logging)
1.2.5
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer with the office of the competent court
Indicator 1.3: The forestry entity has not been suspended by the forestry administration following acts contravening what is set out in the approved management plan
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 32(1) and (2) of Law 94/01
—
Article 80 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.3.1
Record of violations published by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.2
Formal reminder duly notified following a report on any activity in contravention of the requirements of the management plan
1.3.3
Suspension decision of the Minister responsible for forests, if applicable
Indicator 1.4: The forestry entity has complied with its tax obligations under existing law
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 66 and 69 of Law 94/01
—
Article 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
1.4.1
Certificate of solvency/tax certificate of the competent tax office
1.4.2
Evidence of payment (VAT, income tax)
Criterion 2: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its obligations as regards logging and forest management
Indicator 2.1: The forestry entity has competent and adequate professional resources, either internally or through the agency of a natural person or legal entity, to perform the management work
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 23, 40(3), 63 and 64 of Law 94/01
—
Article 35 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.1.1
Approval of the enterprise or its various subcontractors having been involved in certain management activities (inventories, forestry)
2.1.2
Service contracts with (an) approved structure(s) or a public body
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity holds a legal harvesting licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 44 and 46 of Law 94/01
—
Article 17 of Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management
—
Article 20 of Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
Verifiers
2.2.1
Letter of approval of the terms of reference for the audit/environmental impact study
2.2.2
Certificate of conformity of the environmental impact study/audit
2.2.3
Annual operating permit
2.2.4
Notification of the start of activities
Indicator 2.3: The forestry entity respects the logging rules in the areas awarded
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 51(1), 73(1) and (2) of Decree 95-531
—
Articles 4(1), (2), (3) and 4), 6, 12(1) and (2) and 13(1) and (2) of Order No 222
—
Sheets 6, 14 and 17 of PROC
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
—
Logging inventory rule
Verifiers
2.3.1
Count certificate or certificate confirming respect of the Rules on activities in forest areas
Indicator 2.4: The forestry entity respects the authorised timber quantities (number of stems/volume) in accordance with the requirements of the annual permit
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 46(3), 72(1) and 125(2) and (3) of Decree 95-531
—
Article 6 of Order No 222
—
Sheet 6 PROC
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.4.1
Worksite books (DF10) or SIGIF declaration
2.4.2
Count certificate
Indicator 2.5: The forestry entity has complied with its tax and forestry tax obligations associated with its activity(ies)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 66, 67 and 69 of Law 94
—
Article 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
2.5.1
Evidence of payment of forestry taxes, if stipulated in the terms and conditions, for the current year and the year preceding the year of verification
Criterion 3: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its obligations as regards timber transportation
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the timber and derived products are accompanied by all the documents required in order to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.1.1
Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the transportation of logs and cut timber by road
3.1.2
Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
3.1.3
Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading report of the forestry department
Criterion 4: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to employment law, social security law and the collective bargaining agreements of the timber industry
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 61(2) and 62(2) of Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992 setting out the Employment Code
—
Decree No 2008/2115/PM of 24 January 2008 revaluing the minimum guaranteed interprofessional salary (SMIG)
—
Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising social security
—
Decree 74-26 of 11 January 1974 laying down the application arrangements of certain provisions of Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising the National Social Security Fund
—
Decree No 74-723 of 12 August 1974 laying down the rates of contributions owed to the CNPS (National Social Security Fund) for the family allowances and the old age pension, invalidity pension and death benefit insurance
—
Law No 69-LF-18 of 10 November 1969 establishing a scheme for old age pension, invalidity and death benefit insurance, amended by Law No 84/007 of 4 July 1984
—
Order No 039/MTPS/IMT of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security laying down the general provisions relating to health and safety at the workplace
—
Order No 019/MTPS/SG/CJ of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of 26 May 1993 laying down the election arrangements and conditions for exercise of the duties of staff representatives
—
The national collective bargaining agreement (April 2002) of the companies involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
—
Order No 11/DEC/DT of 25 May 1978 laying down the arrangements for the summoning and appearance of the Parties before the Employment Inspector for the settlement of employment disputes
—
Practical directives from the International Labour Organization (ILO)
—
Law 64/LF/23 of 13 November 1964 protecting public health
—
Law 98/015 of 14 July 1998 relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious
—
Decree 99/818/PM of 9 November 1999 laying down the provisions for setting up and operating [the establishments in question]
—
Currently valid matrix of the salaries of the enterprises involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
Verifiers
4.1.1
Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
4.1.2
Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.3
Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.4
Reports on the election of staff representatives
4.1.5
Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
4.1.6
Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
4.1.7
Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
4.1.8
Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district
Indicator 4.2: The forestry entity respects the provisions of its terms and conditions in relation to the local communities within its area(s) of work
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 36 of Law 94
—
Chapter II of the Rules on activities in forest areas, Articles 4 and 5
Verifiers
4.2.1
Terms and conditions
4.2.2
Reports on the realisation of the social projects laid down in the terms and conditions
4.2.3
Minutes of the information meeting on the forestry right, signed by the administration or the Prefect
Criterion 5: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to the protection of biodiversity and the environment
Indicator 5.1: The forestry entity has made the necessary arrangements to prohibit the involvement of its staff in poaching, commercial hunting and the transportation or trade in hunting equipment and means. It encourages, supports and/or initiates all campaigns seeking to ensure application of the regulations in relation to hunting and to the protection of the fauna on its sites
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 11(1) and (3) of Order No 222
—
Chapter VI of the Rules on activities in forest areas, Articles 28, 29 and 30
Verifiers
5.1.1
Internal rules
5.1.2
Memoranda giving details of the ban on poaching and transportation of bush meat
5.1.3
Memoranda publishing any penalties
5.1.4
Record of offences
5.1.5
Food supply plan
Indicator 5.2: The forestry entity has complied with the legislation relating to the studies of environmental impact, and implements or arranges for implementation of the identified mitigating measures
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
—
Article 11(1) and (2) of Order No 222 of 25 May 2001
—
Articles 3 and 4 of Order 0069/MINEP of 8 March 2005
—
Article 16 of the terms and conditions of the Centre for Enterprise Development
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
—
Article 17, 79, 82 of Law 96/12 of 5.8.1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management
—
Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging
Verifiers
5.2.1
Environmental inspection report
5.2.2
Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
5.2.3
Record of environmental offences
MATRIX 3: AUTHORISATION TO RECOVER STANDING TREES (ARB)
Criterion 1: The logging forestry entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The forestry entity has legal personality and is approved as a logger
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1) and 36 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.1.1
Certificate of domicile (natural person)
1.1.2
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office (legal entity)
1.1.3
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority
1.1.4
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of Appeal
Indicator 1.2: The forestry entity holds a salvage licence issued by the administration responsible for forests, in accordance with the law
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 73 of Law 94/01
—
Article 110(1) and (2) of Decree 95/531
—
Circular No 0354/LC/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDAFF/SN
Verifiers
1.2.1
Project document
1.2.2
Environmental conformity certificate issued to the project promoter by the Minister responsible for the environment
1.2.3
Letter from the competent Minister stating the need to salvage the timber before the project is implemented
1.2.4
Results of the inventory of the timber concerned
1.2.5
Notice of public invitation to tender
1.2.6
Document from the interministerial committee selecting the forestry entity as the best bidder
1.2.7
Receipts for payment of the sales price
1.2.8
Salvage licence issued by the competent manager of the forestry administration
1.2.9
Notification of the start of the work
Indicator 1.3: In the event that the salvage work is subcontracted, the subcontracting forestry entity has documents confirming the regularity of the situation
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1), 36 and 140(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.3.1
Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2
Receipt for registration of the agreement approved by the local authorities of the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3
Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.4
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.3.5
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority (logging)
1.3.6
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer with the office of the competent court
Indicator 1.4: The forestry entity has not been suspended or had its approval or right withdrawn by the administration
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 130, 131, 132 and 146 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.4.1
Records/files of offences published by the competent administrations
1.4.2
Register of disputes of the competent local departments
1.4.3
Suspension decision of the Minister responsible for forests, substantiated and challenged, if applicable
Indicator 1.5: The forestry entity has complied with its tax obligations under existing law
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
1.5.1
Tax patent
1.5.2
Certificate of solvency/tax certificate of the competent tax office
Criterion 2: The logging forestry entity meets its logging obligations
Indicator 2.1: The forestry entity respects the location of the project
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 4(1), (2), (3) and (4), 6, 12(1) and (2) and 13(1) and (2) of Order No 222
—
Sheets 6, 14 and 17 of PROC
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.1.1
Project documents identifying the precise location of the project approved by the competent managers of the supervising Ministry (agriculture, public works)
2.1.2
Count certificate or inspection report
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity respects the authorised timber quantities (number of stems/estimated volume) in accordance with the requirements of the licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 6 of Order No 222
Verifiers
2.2.1
Count certificate or inspection reports from the forestry administration
Indicator 2.3: The forestry entity has complied with its tax and forestry tax obligations associated with its activity(ies)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 73(2) of Law 94/01
—
Articles 122 and 110(1) of Decree 95-531
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
2.3.1
Evidence of payment of the sales price (tender price + 13 %)
2.3.2
Evidence of payment of all other taxes stipulated in the terms and conditions
Criterion 3: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards timber transportation
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the salvaged timber is transported entirely legally and is accompanied by all the documents required in order to certify its legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.1.1
Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the transportation of logs and cut timber by road
3.1.2
Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
3.1.3
Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading report of the forestry departments and the place of loading
Criterion 4: The logging forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to employment law, social security law and the collective bargaining agreements of the timber industry
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 61(2) and 62(2) of Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992 setting out the Employment Code
—
Decree No 2008/2115/PM of 24 January 2008 revaluing the minimum guaranteed interprofessional salary (SMIG)
—
Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising social security
—
Decree 74-26 of 11 January 1974 laying down the application arrangements of certain provisions of Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising the National Social Security Fund
—
Decree No 74-723 of 12 August 1974 laying down the rates of contributions owed to the CNPS (National Social Security Fund) for the family allowances and the old age pension, invalidity pension and death benefit insurance
—
Law No 69-LF-18 of 10 November 1969 establishing a scheme for old age pension, invalidity and death benefit insurance, amended by Law No 84/007 of 4 July 1984
—
Order No 039/MTPS/IMT of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security laying down the general provisions relating to health and safety at the workplace
—
Order No 019/MTPS/SG/CJ of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of 26 May 1993 laying down the election arrangements and conditions for exercise of the duties of staff representatives
—
The national collective bargaining agreement (April 2002) of the companies involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
—
Order No 11/DEC/DT of 25 May 1978 laying down the arrangements for the summoning and appearance of the Parties before the Employment Inspector for the settlement of employment disputes
—
Practical directives from the International Labour Organization (ILO)
—
Law 64/LF/23 of 13 November 1964 protecting public health
—
Law 98/015 of 14 July 1998 relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious
—
Decree 99/818/PM of 9 November 1999 laying down the provisions for setting up and operating [the establishments in question]
—
Currently valid matrix of the salaries of the enterprises involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
Verifiers
4.1.1
Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
4.1.2
Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.3
Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.4
Reports on the election of staff representatives
4.1.5
Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
4.1.6
Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
4.1.7
Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
4.1.8
Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district
Indicator 4.2: The forestry entity respects the provisions of its terms and conditions in relation to the local communities within its area(s) of work
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 36 of Law 94/01
—
Chapter II of the Rules on activities in forest areas, Articles 4 and 5
Verifiers
4.2.1
Terms and conditions
4.2.2
Reports on the realisation of the social projects laid down in the terms and conditions
4.2.3
Minutes of the information meeting on the forestry right, signed by the administration or the Prefect
Criterion 5: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards biodiversity protection
Indicator 5.1: The logging forestry entity has made the necessary arrangements to prohibit the involvement of its staff in poaching, commercial hunting and the transportation or trade in hunting equipment and means. It encourages, supports and/or initiates all campaigns seeking to ensure application of the regulations in relation to hunting and to the protection of the fauna on its sites
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 11(1) and (3) of Order No 222
—
Terms and conditions
—
Chapter VI of the Rules on activities in forest areas, Articles 28, 29 and 30
Verifiers
5.1.1
Internal rules
5.1.2
Memoranda giving details of the ban on poaching and transportation of bush meat
5.1.3
Memoranda publishing any penalties
5.1.4
Record of offences
MATRIX 4: TIMBER REMOVAL LICENCE (AEB)
(HARVESTED, FAILED, ABANDONED OR CONFISCATED)
Criterion 1: The logging forestry entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The forestry entity has legal personality and is approved as a logger
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 41 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1) and 36 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.1.1
Certificate of domicile (natural person)
1.1.2
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office (legal entity)
1.1.3
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority
1.1.4
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of Appeal
Indicator 1.2: The forestry entity holds a timber removal licence issued by the administration responsible for forests, in accordance with the law
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 56, 111 and 112 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.2.1
Reports on offences and on confiscation of fraudulently logged timber (confiscated timber)
1.2.2
Report on abandoned billets drawn up by the local manager of the administration responsible for forests and summons letter sent to the owners (billets abandoned in the forest or failed)
1.2.3
Notice of public invitation to tender (confiscated, abandoned or failed timber)
1.2.4
Document from the sales committee selecting the forestry entity as the best bidder
1.2.5
Auction report and related receipts (sale amount + 13 %)
1.2.6
Stocktaking report (timber properly felled and not removed on expiry of the right)
1.2.7
Licence to remove timber issued by the competent manager of the forestry administration
1.2.8
Notification of the start of the work
Indicator 1.3: The forestry entity has not been suspended or had its approval or right withdrawn by the administration and is not implicated in the commission of the offence on account of which the timber has been confiscated
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Chapter 3 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 146, 150 and 152 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 130, 131, 132, 135 and 146 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.3.1
Records/files of offences published by the competent administrations
1.3.2
Suspension decision of the Minister responsible for forests, substantiated and challenged, if applicable
1.3.3
Report on an offence, closed and entered in the register of offences of the competent local departments
Indicator 1.4: The forestry entity has complied with its tax obligations under existing law
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 122 of Law 94/01
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
1.4.1
Tax patent
1.4.2
Certificate of solvency/tax certificate of the competent tax office
Criterion 2: The logging forestry entity meets its logging obligations
Indicator 2.1: The forestry entity respects the timber quantities (volume) awarded in accordance with the requirements of the licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 144 and 148 of Law 94/01 of 20 January 1994
Verifiers
2.1.1
Auction reports
2.1.2
Stubs of waybills or SIGIF declaration
2.1.3
Count certificate
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity has complied with its tax and forestry tax obligations associated with its activity(ies)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 111(2), 112(3), 113(2) and 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
2.2.1
Evidence of payment of the sales price
2.2.2
Evidence of payment of 13 % on top of the sales price
Criterion 3: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards timber transportation
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the timber removed is transported entirely legally and is accompanied by all the documents required and regulatory markings in order to certify its legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.1.1
Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the transportation of logs and cut timber by road
3.1.2
Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
3.1.3
Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading report of the forestry departments and the place of loading
Criterion 4: The logging forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to employment law, social security law and the collective bargaining agreements of the timber industry
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 61(2) and 62(2) of Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992 setting out the Employment Code
—
Decree No 2008/2115/PM of 24 January 2008 revaluing the minimum guaranteed interprofessional salary (SMIG)
—
Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising social security
—
Decree 74-26 of 11 January 1974 laying down the application arrangements of certain provisions of Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising the National Social Security Fund
—
Decree No 74-723 of 12 August 1974 laying down the rates of contributions owed to the CNPS (National Social Security Fund) for the family allowances and the old age pension, invalidity pension and death benefit insurance
—
Law No 69-LF-18 of 10 November 1969 establishing a scheme for old age pension, invalidity and death benefit insurance, amended by Law No 84/007 of 4 July 1984
—
Order No 039/MTPS/IMT of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security laying down the general provisions relating to health and safety at the workplace
—
Order No 019/MTPS/SG/CJ of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of 26 May 1993 laying down the election arrangements and conditions for exercise of the duties of staff representatives
—
The national collective bargaining agreement (April 2002) of the companies involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
—
Order No 11/DEC/DT of 25 May 1978 laying down the arrangements for the summoning and appearance of the Parties before the Employment Inspector for the settlement of employment disputes
—
Practical directives from the International Labour Organization (ILO)
—
Law 64/LF/23 of 13 November 1964 protecting public health
—
Law 98/015 of 14 July 1998 relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious
—
Decree 99/818/PM of 9 November 1999 laying down the provisions for setting up and operating [the establishments in question]
—
Currently valid matrix of the salaries of the enterprises involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
Verifiers
4.1.1
Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
4.1.2
Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.3
Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.4
Reports on the election of staff representatives
4.1.5
Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
4.1.6
Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
4.1.7
Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
4.1.8
Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district
MATRIX 5: CUT TIMBER SALE (VC) IN THE NATIONAL FOREST DOMAIN
Criterion 1: The logging forestry entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The forestry entity has legal personality and is approved as a logger
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 41 of Law 94
—
Articles 35(1) and 36 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.1.1
Certificate of domicile (natural person)
1.1.2
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office (legal entity)
1.1.3
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority
1.1.4
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of Appeal
Indicator 1.2: The forestry entity is the holder of a cut timber sale licence legally awarded by the administration responsible for forests
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 57 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 51(1) and (2), 58(2), (3) and (4), 60, 81, 82 and 83 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.2.1
Notice of public invitation to tender, based on respect of the pre-emptive right
1.2.2
Document from the interministerial committee selecting the forestry entity offering the highest forestry fee
1.2.3
Receipt for registration of a complete file relating to the award of cut timber sales
1.2.4
Proof of deposit of the surety with the Public Revenue Department
1.2.5
Order awarding cut timber sale signed by the Minister responsible for forests, based on information from the invitations to tender
1.2.6
Minutes of the information meeting, signed by the Prefect
Indicator 1.3: In the event that the logging activity is subcontracted, the subcontracting forestry entity has documents confirming the regularity of the situation
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1), 36 and 140(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.3.1
Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2
Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3
Receipt for registration of the agreement approved by the local authorities of the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.4
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.3.5
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority
1.3.6
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer with the office of the competent court
Indicator 1.4: The forestry entity has not been suspended or had its approval or right withdrawn by the administration
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Chapter 3 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 130, 131 and 132 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.4.1
Records/files of offences published by the competent administrations
1.4.2
Register of disputes of the competent local departments
1.4.3
Suspension decision of the Minister responsible for forests, substantiated and challenged, if applicable
Indicator 1.5: The forestry entity has complied with its tax obligations under existing law
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
1.5.1
Tax patent
1.5.2
Certificate of solvency/tax certificate of the competent tax office
Criterion 2: The logging forestry entity meets its logging obligations
Indicator 2.1: The forestry entity has competent and adequate professional resources, either internally or through the agency of a natural person or legal entity, to produce the logging inventory
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 40(3) and 64 of Law 94/01
—
Article 35 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.1.1
Approval of the enterprise or its various subcontractors having been involved in certain inventory/forestry activities
2.1.2
Service contracts with (an) approved structure(s) or a public body
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity respects the logging rules in the areas awarded
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 45 of Law 94/01
—
Article 4(1), (2), (3) and (4) of Order 222
—
Sheets 14 and 17 of PROC
—
Logging inventory rules
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.2.1
Count certificate or certificate confirming respect of the Rules on activities in forest areas
Indicator 2.3: The forestry entity holds a legal harvesting licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 45(1) of Law 94/01
—
Articles 17, 79, 82 of Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management
—
Article 20 of Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
Verifiers
2.3.1
Letter of approval of the terms of reference for the environmental impact audit/study
2.3.2
Environmental conformity certificate
2.3.3
Annual harvest certificate
2.3.4
Notification of the start of activities
Indicator 2.4: The forestry entity respects the authorised timber quantities (number of stems/volume) in accordance with the requirements of the annual certificate
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 72(1) and 125(2) and (3) of Decree 95-531
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
—
Sheet 6 PROC
Verifiers
2.4.1
Worksite books (DF10) or SIGIF declaration
2.4.2
Count certificate
Indicator 2.5: The forestry entity has complied with its tax and forestry tax obligations associated with its activity(ies)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 66, 67 and 69 of Law 94/01
—
Article 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
2.5.1
Certificate of registration of the bank guarantee
2.5.2
Evidence of payment (RFA, TA, all forestry taxes, if stipulated in the terms and conditions), for the current year and the year preceding the year of verification
Criterion 3: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards timber transportation
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the logs produced are accompanied by all the documents and regulatory markings required in order to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.1.1
Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the transportation of logs and cut timber by road
3.1.2
Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
3.1.3
Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading report of the forestry department and the place of loading
Criterion 4: The logging forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to employment law, social security law and the collective bargaining agreements of the timber industry
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 61(2) and 62(2) of Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992 setting out the Employment Code
—
Decree No 2008/2115/PM of 24 January 2008 revaluing the minimum guaranteed interprofessional salary (SMIG)
—
Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising social security
—
Decree 74-26 of 11 January 1974 laying down the application arrangements of certain provisions of Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising the National Social Security Fund
—
Decree No 74-723 of 12 August 1974 laying down the rates of contributions owed to the CNPS (National Social Security Fund) for the family allowances and the old age pension, invalidity pension and death benefit insurance
—
Law No 69-LF-18 of 10 November 1969 establishing a scheme for old age pension, invalidity and death benefit insurance, amended by Law No 84/007 of 4 July 1984
—
Order No 039/MTPS/IMT of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security laying down the general provisions relating to health and safety at the workplace
—
Order No 019/MTPS/SG/CJ of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of 26 May 1993 laying down the election arrangements and conditions for exercise of the duties of staff representatives
—
The national collective bargaining agreement (April 2002) of the companies involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
—
Order No 11/DEC/DT of 25 May 1978 laying down the arrangements for the summoning and appearance of the Parties before the Employment Inspector for the settlement of employment disputes
—
Practical directives from the International Labour Organization (ILO)
—
Law 64/LF/23 of 13 November 1964 protecting public health
—
Law 98/015 of 14 July 1998 relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious
—
Decree 99/818/PM of 9 November 1999 laying down the provisions for setting up and operating [the establishments in question]
—
Currently valid matrix of the salaries of the enterprises involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
Verifiers
4.1.1
Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
4.1.2
Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.3
Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.4
Reports on the election of staff representatives
4.1.5
Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
4.1.6
Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
4.1.7
Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
4.1.8
Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district
Indicator 4.2: The forestry entity respects the social obligations prescribed by the Forestry Code
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 36 and 61(1) and (3) of Law 94/01
—
Article 85 of Decree No 95/531
—
Decision No 0108/D/MINEF/CAB of 9 February 1998 applying the Rules on activities in forest areas
—
Chapter II of the Rules on activities in forest areas
Verifiers
4.2.1
Terms and conditions
4.2.2
Reports on the realisation of the social projects laid down in the terms and conditions
4.2.3
Minutes of the information meeting on logging under the forestry right, signed by all the stakeholders
4.2.4
Record/file of offences/report
Criterion 5: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to the protection of biodiversity and the environment
Indicator 5.1: The forestry entity has made the necessary arrangements to prohibit the involvement of its staff in poaching, commercial hunting and the transportation or trade in hunting equipment and means. It encourages, supports and/or initiates all campaigns seeking to ensure application of the regulations in relation to hunting and to the protection of the fauna on its sites
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 11(1) and (3) of Order No 222
—
Chapter VI of the Rules on activities in forest areas, Articles 28, 29 and 30
Verifiers
5.1.1
Internal rules
5.1.2
Memoranda giving details of the ban on poaching and transportation of bush meat
5.1.3
Memoranda publishing any penalties
5.1.4
Record of offences
Indicator 5.2: The forestry entity has complied with the legislation relating to the studies of environmental impact, and implements the identified mitigating measures
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
—
Article 11(1) and (2) of Order No 222 of 25 May 2001
—
Articles 3 and 4 of Order 0069/MINEP of 8 March 2005
—
Article 16 of the terms and conditions of the Enterprise Development Centre
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
—
Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management (Articles 17, 79 and 82)
—
Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging
Verifiers
5.2.1
Environmental inspection report
5.2.2
Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
5.2.3
Record of environmental offences
MATRIX 6: STATE LOGGING OF A COMMUNITY FOREST
Criterion 1: The logging forestry entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The community is organised in the form of a legally recognised legal entity
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 28(3) of Decree 95-531
—
Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and management rules for community forests – Version 2009’ Points 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 of the manual of procedures
—
Law 90 on associations
—
Law 92 on cooperatives and GICs (Communal Interest Groups)
—
OHADA (Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa) uniform act on commercial companies and general interest groups
Verifiers
1.1.1
Declaration receipt (associations)
1.1.2
Registration certificate (communal initiative groups and cooperatives)
1.1.3
Instrument of the clerk of the court (economic interest groups; EIGs)
Indicator 1.2: The community is the beneficiary of a legally awarded community forest and a management agreement signed with the administration
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 37 and 38(1) of Law 94/01
—
Articles 27(2) and (3), 28(1) and (2) and 29(1) and (2) of Decree 95-531
—
Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and management rules for community forests – Version 2009’ Points 5.1; 5.12.1; 5.13 and 5.17 of the manual of procedures, version 2009
Verifiers
A– Provisional management agreement
1.2.1
Receipt for registration of a complete file relating to the award of a community forest
1.2.2
Provisional management agreement signed by the community and the competent administrative authority
B– Final management agreement
1.2.3
Receipt for registration of a complete PSG (Simple Management Plan) tender file for the final agreement
1.2.4
Document approving the PSG, signed by the Minister for Forestry and Wildlife
1.2.5
Final management agreement signed by the competent administrative authority
Indicator 1.3: In the event that the logging activity is subcontracted, the subcontracting forestry entity has documents confirming the regularity of the situation
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1), 36 and 140(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.3.1
Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2
Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.3.4
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority
1.3.5
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of Appeal
Indicator 1.4: The community is not the subject of a measeg withdrawing or suspending the existing management agreement by the administration responsible for forests
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 38(2) and 65 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 31(1) and 32(3) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.4.1
Record of offences published by the ministry responsible for forests or report on offence(s) drawn up by the sworn agent of the Ministry responsible for forests
1.4.2
Suspension decision of the Minister responsible for forests, if applicable
1.4.3
Register of disputes of the competent local departments
Criterion 2: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards logging and forest management
Indicator 2.1: The forestry entity has competent and adequate professional resources, either internally or through the agency of a natural person or legal entity, to perform the inventory work stipulated in the PSG
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 40(3) and 64 of Law 94/01
—
Article 35 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.1.1
Approval of various subcontractors having been involved in certain management activities (inventories)
2.1.2
Service contracts with (an) approved structure(s) or a public body
2.1.3
Certificate of conformity of the inventory work
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity holds a legal harvesting licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 17 of Law 96/12 of 5/08/96 setting out a framework law on environmental management
—
Article 20 of Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
—
Article 96(2) of the Decree of 23 August 1995
—
Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and management rules for community forests – Version 2009’ Point 8.2.2.1 of the manual of procedures, version 2009
Verifiers
2.2.1
Letter of approval of the terms of reference for the environmental impact study/audit
2.2.2
Environmental conformity certificate
2.2.3
Annual logging certificate
2.2.4
Notification of the start of activities
Indicator 2.3: The forestry entity respects the logging rules in the land authorised for logging
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Logging inventory rules
—
Circular 0048/LC/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC of 16 January 2009
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.3.1
Count certificate or certificate confirming respect of the Rules on activities in forest areas
2.3.2
Annual report on activities
Indicator 2.4: The forestry entity respects the authorised timber quantities (number of stems/volume) in accordance with the requirements of the annual logging certificate
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 125 of Decree 95-531
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.4.1
Worksite books (DF10) or SIGIF declaration and waybills
2.4.2
Count certificate
2.4.3
Annual report on activities
Criterion 3: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its obligations as regards timber transportation
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the timber and derived products are transported entirely legally and are accompanied by all the documents required and regulatory markings in order to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(2) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.1.1
Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the transportation of logs and cut timber by road
3.1.2
Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
3.1.3
Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading report of the forestry department and the place of loading
Criterion 4: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity respects the provisions of the PSG in relation to the local communities within its area(s) of work
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 36 of Law 94/01; Article 26(1) and (2) of the associated Decree
—
Chapter II of the Rules on activities in forest areas, Articles 4 and 5
Verifiers
4.1.1
Simple management plan
Criterion 5: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to the protection of biodiversity and the environment
Indicator 5.1: The forestry entity has made the necessary arrangements to prohibit the involvement of the population in poaching, commercial hunting and the transportation or trade in hunting equipment and means. It encourages, supports and/or initiates all campaigns seeking to ensure application of the regulations in relation to the protection of biodiversity in the community forest
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
—
Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and management rules for community forests – Version 2009’ Point 8.1 of the manual
—
Article 32(2) of the Decree
—
Articles 78 et seq. of the Law
Verifiers
5.1.1
Information and awareness media (posters, reports, video, cassettes etc.) and/or internal rules
5.1.2
Simple management plan
Indicator 5.2: The forestry entity has complied with the environmental legislation and implements the identified mitigating measures
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
—
Articles 3 and 4 of Order 0069/MINEP of 8 March 2005
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
—
Articles 17, 79, 82 of Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management
—
Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging
Verifiers
5.2.1
Simple management plan
5.2.2
Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
5.2.3
Record of environmental offences
MATRIX 7: SPECIAL PERMIT (ebony logging)
Criterion 1: The logging forestry entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The forestry entity has legal personality and is approved as a logger
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 9, 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1), 36 and 114 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.1.1
Certificate of domicile (natural person)
1.1.2
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office (legal entity)
1.1.3
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority
Indicator 1.2: The forestry entity is the holder of a special permit legally awarded by the administration responsible for forests
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 86(2) and 87 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.2.1
Notice to the public
1.2.2
Receipt for registration of a complete file relating to the award of the special permit
1.2.3
Decision awarding the special licence, signed by the Minister responsible for forests
Indicator 1.3: In the event that the logging/processing activity is subcontracted, the subcontracting forestry entity has documents confirming the regularity of the situation
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 35(1), 36, 114 and 140(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.3.1
Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2
Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.3.4
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority (logging)
1.3.5
Authority to set up and operate an establishment classified by the Ministry responsible for the industry (processing)
1.3.6
Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests (processing)
Indicator 1.4: The forestry entity has not been suspended or had its approval or right withdrawn by the administration
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 150 and 152 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 130, 131 and 132 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.4.1
Records/files of offences published by the competent administrations
1.4.2
Register of disputes of the competent local departments
1.4.3
Suspension decision of the Minister responsible for forests, substantiated and challenged, if applicable
Indicator 1.5: The forestry entity has complied with its tax obligations under existing law
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
1.5.1
Tax patent
1.5.2
Certificate of solvency/tax certificate of the competent tax office
Criterion 2: The logging forestry entity meets its logging obligations
Indicator 2.1: The forestry entity holds a legal harvesting licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Sheets 2 and 3 (PROC)
—
Article 88(1) and (2) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.1.1
Special permit
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity respects the timber quantities (tonnage/volume) awarded in accordance with the requirements of the special permit
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 125 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.2.1
Stubs of waybills or SIGIF declaration
2.2.2
Count certificate
Indicator 2.3: The forestry entity has complied with its tax and forestry tax obligations associated with its activity(ies)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Article 86(6) of Law 94/01
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
2.3.1
Evidence of payment of the regeneration tax for the current year and the year preceding the year of verification
2.3.2
Terms and conditions
Criterion 3: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards the transportation of special products
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the special products harvested or purchased on the local market for processing in its installations are accompanied by all the necessary documents to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 115(1), (2) and (3), 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.1.1
Waybills signed by the competent authority
3.1.2
Currently valid certificate of legality/permit of the supplier(s)
Indicator 3.2: The forestry entity ensures that the special products imported for processing in its installations are accompanied by the necessary documents to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
3.2.1
Import licences issued by the competent authorities responsible for forests and finance
3.2.2
International waybills stamped for the entire route
3.2.3
Certificates of origin and phytosanitary certificates from the exporting country
3.2.4
FLEGT licences of the country of origin, or any other private certificate of legality/sustainable management recognised by Cameroon
Indicator 3.3: The forestry entity ensures that the special products from its installations are transported entirely legally and are accompanied by all the documents required in order to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(2) and (3) and 128 of Decree 95-531
—
Article 86(6) of Law 94/01
Verifiers
3.3.1
Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the transportation of logs and cut timber by road
3.3.2
Specification bulletins
3.3.3
Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
3.3.4
Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading report of the forestry department and the place of loading
3.3.5
Terms and conditions for the products under CITES
Criterion 4: The logging forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to the Employment Code (processing and industrial)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992 setting out the Employment Code
—
Social Security Code
—
The national collective bargaining agreement (April 2002) of the companies involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities (exercise of the right to form a union, staff representative, employment contract, working conditions and salaries, health and safety etc.)
—
Article 49 of the national collective bargaining agreement
—
Practical directives from the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Verifiers
4.1.1
Certificate of non-use of salaried staff (ANUPS) issued by the CNPS
4.1.2
Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
4.1.3
Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.4
Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.5
Reports on the election of staff representatives
4.1.6
Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
4.1.7
Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
4.1.8
Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
4.1.9
Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district
Criterion 5: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards environmental protection (industrial and processing)
Indicator 5.1: The forestry entity has complied with the legislation relating to the studies of environmental impact, and implements the identified mitigating measures
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging in Cameroon
Verifiers
5.1.1
Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
5.1.2
Record of environmental offences
MATRIX 8: TIMBER PROCESSING UNIT (UTB)
Criterion 1: The processing entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The processing entity has legal personality and is registered as a timber processor
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 114 of Decree 95-531
—
Law 98/015 of 14 July 1998 relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious
—
Decree 99/818/PM of 9/November 1999 laying down the provisions for setting up and operating [the establishments in question]
—
Order No 013/MINEE/DMG/SL (Ministry of Energy and Water/Mines and Geology Division/SL of 19 April 1977 repealing and replacing Order No 154 of 28 March 1957 coding dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious establishments
Verifiers
1.1.1
Certificate of domicile (natural person)
1.1.2
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office (legal entity)
1.1.3
Authority to set up and operate a first class establishment from the Ministry responsible for the industry, or receipt of declaration (2nd class)
1.1.4
Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests
1.1.5
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of Appeal
Indicator 1.2: If the processing entity subcontracts the processing work to the holder of a forestry right, it has the documents certifying the regulatory of that situation in addition to those described under 1.1
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 42 of Law 94/01
—
Articles 114 and 140(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.2.1
Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.2.2
Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.2.3
Certificate of domicile
1.2.4
Commercial register maintained at the competent court office (logging)
1.2.5
Forestry approval granted by the competent authority (logging)
1.2.6
Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of Appeal (logging)
Indicator 1.3: The processing entity has complied with its tax obligations
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
1.3.1
Certificate of solvency/tax certificate of the competent tax office or proof of a moratorium (as applicable)
1.3.2
Tax patent
Criterion 2: The processing entity obtains supplies of timber of legal origin and meets its obligations in relation to timber transportation
Indicator 2.1: The processing entity ensures that timber purchased on the local market for processing in its installations is accompanied by all the necessary documents to certify its legal origin
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 115(1), (2) and (3), 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.1.1
Secure waybills, signed by the competent authority
2.1.2
Certificate of legality of the supplier(s)
Indicator 2.2: The processing entity ensures that the timber imported for processing in its installations is accompanied by the necessary documents to certify its legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(2) and (3) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.2.1
Import licences issued by the competent authorities responsible for forests and finance
2.2.2
International waybills stamped for the entire route
2.2.3
Certificates of origin and phytosanitary certificates from the exporting country
2.2.4
FLEGT licences of the country of origin, or any other private certificate of legality/sustainable management recognised by Cameroon
Indicator 2.3: The processing entity ensures that timber and derived products from its installations are transported entirely legally and are accompanied by all the documents required in order to certify their legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.3.1
Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the transportation of logs and cut timber by road
2.3.2
Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
2.3.3
Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading report of the forestry administration
Indicator 2.4: The processing entity has complied with its tax and forestry tax obligations associated with its activity(ies)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Article 122 of Decree 95-531
—
Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
—
Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
2.4.1
Evidence of payment of plant entry tax (TEU) and other forestry taxes, if stipulated in the terms and conditions, for the current year and the year preceding the year of verification
Criterion 3: The processing entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to employment law, social security law and the collective bargaining agreements of the timber industry
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Articles 61(2) and 62(2) of Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992 setting out the Employment Code
—
Decree No 2008/2115/PM of 24 January 2008 revaluing the minimum guaranteed interprofessional salary (SMIG)
—
Ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising social security
—
Decree 74-26 of 11 January 1974 laying down the application arrangements of certain provisions of ordinance No 73-17 of 22 May 1973 organising the National Social Security Fund
—
Decree No 74-723 of 12 August 1974 laying down the rates of contributions owed to the CNPS (National Social Security Fund) for the family allowances and the old age pension, invalidity pension and death benefit insurance
—
Law No 69-LF-18 of 10 November 1969 establishing a scheme for old age pension, invalidity and death benefit insurance, amended by Law No 84/007 of 4 July 1984
—
Order No 039/MTPS/IMT of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security laying down the general provisions relating to health and safety at the workplace
—
Order No 019/MTPS/SG/CJ of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security of 26 May 1993 laying down the election arrangements and conditions for exercise of the duties of staff representatives
—
The national collective bargaining agreement (April 2002) of the companies involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
—
Order No 11/DEC/DT of 25 May 1978 laying down the arrangements for the summoning and appearance of the Parties before the Employment Inspector for the settlement of employment disputes,
—
Practical directives from the International Labour Organization (ILO)
—
Law 64/LF/23 of 13 November 1964 protecting public health
—
Law 98/015 of 14 July 1998 relating to establishments classified as dangerous, unhealthy or obnoxious
—
Decree 99/818/PM of 9 November 1999 laying down the provisions for setting up and operating [the establishments in question]
—
Currently valid matrix of the salaries of the enterprises involved in logging and in the processing of forest products and associated activities
Verifiers
3.1.1
Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
3.1.2
Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of the administrative district
3.1.3
Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
3.1.4
Reports on the election of staff representatives
3.1.5
Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
3.1.6
Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
3.1.7
Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
3.1.8
Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district
Criterion 4: The processing entity meets its obligations in relation to environmental protection
Indicator 4.1: The processing entity has complied with the legislation relating to the studies of environmental impact, and implements the identified mitigating measures
References to legislation, regulations and rules
—
Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
—
Article 11(1) and (2) of Order No 222 of 25 May 2001
—
Articles 3 and 4 of Order 0069/MINEP of 8 March 2005
—
Article 16 of the terms and conditions of the Enterprise Development Centre
—
Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
—
Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management (Articles 17, 79 and 82)
—
Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging
Verifiers
4.1.1
Letter of approval of the terms of reference for the environmental impact audit/study
4.1.2
Certificate of conformity of the environmental impact study/audit
4.1.3
Environmental inspection report
4.1.4
Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
4.1.5
Record of environmental offences
References to existing legislation, regulations and rules
1.
Law No 94-01 of 20 January 1994 setting out the Forest Code
2.
Law No 96-12 of 5 August 1996 setting out the framework law on environmental management
3.
Order No 222 MINEF of 25 May 2001 laying down the procedures for drawing up, approving, monitoring and controlling the management of the productive forests of the permanent forest domain
4.
Decree No 2005/577 of 23 February 2005 laying down the terms for the production of environmental impact studies
5.
Order No 0069 MINEP of 8 March 2005 laying down the different categories of operation whose realisation is subject to an environmental impact study
6.
Finance Law No 2002/003 of 19 April 2002 setting out the General Tax Code
7.
Cameroon Employment Code of 14 August 1992
8.
Collective bargaining agreement of loggers:
(a)
Exercise of the right to form a union (Title 2)
(b)
Staff representative (Title 3)
(c)
Employment contract (Title 4)
(d)
Terms and conditions of employment, salaries (Title 4)
(e)
Hygiene, health and safety (Title 5)
Rules and other documents
1.
Procedure (abbreviated to PROC) for drawing up, approving, monitoring and controlling management plans for the productive forest of the permanent forest domain of Cameroon. Definition of the TECHNICAL SHEETS (version of July 2001):
Sheet 1 : List of rules and forestry management documents
Sheet 2 : Specimen provisional agreement and terms and conditions
Sheet 3 : Specimen final agreement and terms and conditions
Sheet 4 : Glossary
Sheet 5 : Outline of the forestry management plan
Sheet 6 : List of species, code, minimum diameter of exploitability (DME) and growths
Sheet 7 : Specimen report for the management inventory
Sheet 8 : Allocation of land within the productive forests and associated activities
Sheet 9 : Outline five-year management plan
Sheet 10 : Approval protocol of the management inventory
Sheet 11 : Verification and approval protocol of the management plan
Sheet 12 : Five-year evaluation, end of agreement and end of rotation protocol
Sheet 13 : Forms relating to annual logging procedures
Sheet 14 : Certificate of materialisation of the logging concession
Sheet 15 : Certificate of verification of the logging inventory
Sheet 16 : Industrial logging control protocol
Sheet 17 : Industrial logging count certificate
Sheet 18 : Management work acceptance protocol
2.
Inventory, management and pre-investment rules, Cameroon National Forest Development Office (ONADEF), June 1991
3.
Logging inventory rules, ONADEF, May 1995
4.
Guide to environmental measures associated with logging in Cameroon (Ministry of the Environment and Nature Protection – March 2005 version):
(a)
General considerations, terminology definitions
(b)
Protection of the interests of the population
(c)
Protection of special sites
(d)
Protection of water resources
(i)
Protection of the banks of areas of water
(ii)
Protection of water quality
(e)
Protection of biodiversity
(i)
Protection of fauna
(ii)
Protection of flora
(f)
Protection of soil
(i)
Planning the road network
(ii)
Road construction and improvement
(iii)
Clearing work
(g)
Setting up log yards
(h)
Forest campsites and industrial installations
(i)
Final provisions
5.
NIMF: Rules on activities in forest areas (Decision No 0108/D/MINEF/CAB of 9 February 1998)
(a)
General provisions
(b)
Relations with local populations
(c)
Forest management activity in connection with certain territorial units or protected sites
(d)
Protection of banks of areas of water
(e)
Protection of fauna
(f)
Route, construction and improvement of forest roads
(g)
Forest campsites and industrial installations
(h)
Setting up log yards
(i)
Logging
(j)
Extraction
(k)
Final provisions
6.
Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and management rules for community forests – Version 2009’
( 1 ) Ministry of the Environment and Forests.
( 2 ) Permanent forest domain.
( 3 ) Ministry of the Environment and Nature Protection.
( 4 ) Environmental impact study.
( 5 ) See Caisse nationale de prévoyance sociale, Recueil des textes de base (1979).
( 6 ) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
( 7 ) Private-sector association by the name of the Tropical Forest Trust, which manages a support project to the private sector involving checking legality (the Timber Trade Action Programme).
( 8 ) Resource Extraction Monitoring.
( 9 ) WWF traceability and legal compliance project.
( 10 ) Chain of Custody, traceability system.
( 11 ) Forest Stewardship Council.
( 12 ) Project financed by the Union.
( 13 ) Briefing note on the Union action plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade.
( 14 ) Legal Origin of Wood/Bureau Véritas.
( 15 ) Timber Legality and Traceability Verification/Société générale de surveillance.
( 16 ) Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (German Technical Cooperation Society)/Sustainable Natural Resources Management Programme.
( 17 ) Ministry of Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife.
( 18 ) Central African Forest Commission.
( 19 ) World Resource Institute.
( 20 ) International Union for Conservation of Nature.
( 21 ) International Forest Industry Association.
( 22 ) Principles, criteria, indicators.
( 23 ) African Timber Organisation/International Tropical Timber Organisation.
( 24 )
‘forestry entity’: any natural or legal person, community, municipality with a legal source for the production, acquisition or processing of timber or derived products.
ANNEX IV
CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE RELEASE FOR FREE CIRCULATION IN THE UNION OF TIMBER AND DERIVED PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM CAMEROON AND ACCOMPANIED BY A FLEGT LICENCE
I. Principles
In order to guarantee the efficient operation of the Cameroon FLEGT licensing scheme, the Member States of the Union must verify that the timber and derived products sent from Cameroon and entered for release for free circulation in the Union are accompanied by a FLEGT licence in accordance with the rules (see Articles 6 and 10).
The existence and regularity of the FLEGT licence are ascertained following documentary verification by the competent authorities that the Member States will have designated.
The timber and derived products within a shipment will not be released for free circulation until the customs authorities have been informed of the existence and regularity of the FLEGT licence corresponding to the shipment. Before the FLEGT licensing scheme is launched, the Union will notify Cameroon of the list of competent authorities designated by each of the Member States and also the procedure that will be used by those competent authorities.
II. Deadlines
The FLEGT licence scheme establishes a set of requirements and procedures designed to verify that the timber and derived products shipped to the Union are produced legally. The establishment of this scheme must not be at the expense of the competitiveness of the timber and derived products originating from Cameroon. The deadlines for release for free circulation within the Union must in particular be observed, in order to prevent any distortion against timber and derived products originating from a country that has not established a FLEGT licence scheme.
This concern will be taken into account by the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) and has been explicitly included in:
—
the ‘Terms of Reference for the Independent System Audit (ISA)’ (Annex VI, Section II.4),
—
the ‘Evaluation criteria for the system established in the Union to accept FLEGT licences’ (Annex VIII, Section VI).
III. Procedure
The importer sends the licence accompanying a shipment to the competent authorities of the Member State in which the customs declaration for the purposes of release of the shipment for free circulation is made.
The importer is actively encouraged to send the licence before the shipment arrives in the Union, in order to allow its prior processing by the Union authorities.
The competent authorities examine the licence from five aspects (documentary control):
—
conformity to the specimen or to the technical specifications of the licence for Cameroon, which the European Commission transmitted earlier to the competent authorities,
—
presence of an original or of a replacement document bearing the word ‘Duplicate’, issued by the licensing authority,
—
the fact that the examination date is earlier than the expiry date appearing on the licence,
—
absence of erasures and alterations, unless they have been authenticated by the licensing authority,
—
absence of extension of the validity of the licence, unless the extension was issued by the licensing authority.
Following the examination, the competent authorities inform the customs authorities, in accordance with the applicable national procedures, of the existence, regularity and number of the licence. This information is required by the customs authorities processing the customs declaration for release for free circulation. The importer mentions the licence number on this declaration.
During examination of the licence, the competent authorities may request further information from the Cameroon issuing authorities, in order to confirm the existence and regularity of the licence.
They may also decide to undertake controls to determine whether the shipment itself conforms to the information in the licence (this is termed a ‘physical inspection’).
If a physical inspection is decided upon, the authorities of the Member State endeavour to undertake their controls at the same time and in the same place, so that they only need to inspect the shipment once.
If a physical inspection is undertaken, the volume and net weight of the shipment are deemed to conform to the information in the licence where the volume or net weight of the timber and derived products in the shipment does not vary by more than 10 % from the volume or net weight stated in the corresponding licence.
IV. Summary flowchart
The flowchart below shows the procedure for release for free circulation in the Union of timber and derived products exported from Cameroon and accompanied by a FLEGT licence.
ANNEX V
REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUING FLEGT LICENSES
CHAPTER 1
FORMALITIES FOR THE ISSUE OF LICENCES
Article 1
1. The FLEGT licence is the document issued by the devolved departments of the Ministry responsible for forests at the exit points from Cameroon identified for this purpose.
2. The FLEGT licences shall be signed by the FLEGT licence issuing authorities designated for that purpose.
3. The FLEGT licence issuing authorities are those responsible for the structures identified; they may be:
—
the regional representatives,
—
the departmental representatives,
—
the managers of the control and hunting posts.
Article 2
The FLEGT licence shall be issued on the basis of a file comprising the following documents:
—
a stamped application, detailing:
—
the surnames, first names, nationality, profession and domicile of the person applying for the licence, if this is a natural person,
—
the company name, registered office, name of the chief executive, if this is a legal entity,
—
a copy of the inherently valid certificate of legality of the title from which the timber originates,
—
a specification bulletin of the timber or timber and derived products to be exported.
Article 3
1. A FLEGT licence issued at the point of lading certifies the legality of the timber and timber products (with respect to the legality matrix, traceability and the national forestry and wildlife system) and permits them to be exported to the Union market.
2. The procedure involves:
—
the ongoing transmission of virtual information or secure documents between the forestry entities and the competent forestry departments (documentary traceability),
—
the online exchange of information between the central department responsible for legality at Yaoundé and the devolved departments of the Ministry responsible for forests, using a single use numbering system and automatic recording in the central database (computer system administering forestry information – SIGIF II and electronic traceability).
CHAPTER 2
TAXES
Article 4
Every FLEGT licence issued shall give rise to the payment of a FLEGT stamp; the amount and methods for the use such stamps shall be laid down in a specific act drawn up by the Minister responsible for forests.
CHAPTER 3
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO FLEGT LICENCES
Article 5
1. A FLEGT licence may be paper-based or an electronic licence.
2. Both paper-based and electronic licences shall contain the particulars specified in Appendix 1, in accordance with the explanatory notes set out in Appendix 2.
Article 6
1. The FLEGT licence shall be valid for a single shipment from its issue date.
2. The period of validity of the FLEGT licence shall not exceed 6 months. The date of expiry shall be indicated in the licence.
3. After its expiry, the FLEGT licence shall be considered as void. The licensing authority may decide to extend the period of validity by 3 months. To that end the licensing authority shall correct and validate the new expiry date.
4. A FLEGT licence shall cease to be valid and will be returned to the licensing authority if the timber and derived products concerned have deteriorated prior to their shipment.
Article 7
Paper-based licences shall conform to the format set out in Appendix 1.
Article 8
1. The FLEGT licence shall be made out using a form adopted by the Parties and described in Appendices 1 and 2.
2. The paper size shall be A4, with four copies.
3. The colour of the paper used for the each copy of the form shall be as follows:
(a)
white for the ‘Original, for the applicant’;
(b)
orange for the 2nd copy ‘Copy for the Cameroon customs’;
(c)
yellow for the 3rd copy ‘Copy for the EU customs’;
(d)
green for the 4th copy ‘Copy for the archives of the issuing department’.
Article 9
1. The licences shall be completed using a typewriter or computer. They may also be completed by hand, provided the forms are self-copying.
2. The stamps of the licensing authority shall be applied by means of a metal stamp, preferably made of steel. However, an embossing press combined with letters or figures obtained by means of perforation may be substituted for the licensing authority stamp. The licensing authority shall use any tamper-proof method to record the quantity allocated in such a way as to make it impossible to insert figures or references.
3. The licences shall be printed and completed in English or French.
Article 10
1. The licence shall be drawn up in quadruplicate.
2. The first copy (white), marked ‘Original’, shall, after being completed, signed and stamped by the licensing authority, be given to the applicant for submission to the competent authorities of the Member State of the Union in which the shipment covered by that licence is declared for release for free circulation.
3. The second copy (orange), marked ‘Copy for Cameroon customs’, shall be given to the applicant for submission to the Cameroon customs authorities.
4. The third copy (yellow) marked ‘copy for EU customs’ shall be given to the applicant for submission to the customs authorities of the Member State of the Union in which the shipment covered by the licence is declared for release for free circulation.
5. The fourth copy (green) marked ‘Copy for the archives of the issuing department’ shall be archived by the licensing department.
CHAPTER 4
FLEGT LICENCE LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED
Article 11
1. In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of the original or the copies for customs, the importer or his authorised representative may apply to the licensing authority for a replacement on the basis of the document in his possession.
2. In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of both the original and the copies for customs the applicant or his authorised representative may apply to the licensing authority for a replacement of both.
3. The licensing authority shall issue the replacement(s) within 1 month following receipt of the request from the applicant.
4. The replacements shall contain the information and entries appearing on the licence they replace, including the licence number.
5. The replacement licence shall bear the word ‘DUPLICATE’.
6. If the lost or stolen licence is retrieved, it shall not be used and must be returned to the licensing authority.
PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF RESERVATIONS REGARDING THE AUTHENTICITY OF A LICENCE
Article 12
1. In the event of reservations regarding the regularity of a FLEGT licence or of its replacement, the competent authority in the Union shall ask the licensing authority for verification. Only the response from the licensing authority shall be authoritative.
2. If it considers it necessary, the licensing authority may ask the competent authority to send it a copy of the licence or the replacement in question.
3. If the licensing authority considers it necessary, it shall withdraw the licence and issue a corrected copy bearing the references of the cancelled document, which it shall transmit to the competent authority of the Union.
4. If the validity of the licence is confirmed, the licensing authority shall notify the competent authority of this, preferably electronically, and return the copies of the licence.
5. The copies thus returned shall bear the endorsement ‘Validated on …’ validated/authenticated by stamp.
6. In the event that the licence in question is not valid, the licensing authority shall notify the competent authority of the Union thereof, preferably by electronic means.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS WITH REGARD TO A COMPUTERISED FLEGT LICENCE
Article 13
1. The FLEGT licence may be issued and used by means of computerised systems.
2. In the Member States of the Union which are not linked to the computerised system, a paper-based licence shall be made available.
ANNEX VI
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM AUDIT
I. Introduction
In connection with the implementation of this Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), the Union and Cameroon agree on the need for independent auditing in order to check the performance and efficiency of the FLEGT licensing scheme.
II. Main tasks
The Independent System Audit (ISA) will cover the following operations:
1.
Auditing the Legality Assurance System (LAS)
—
verifying the conformity of the allocation process for the different types of title
—
Human resources and capacities
—
Award procedure for the different types of title
—
Verifying (based on sampling) the licences for the different types of title
—
Title registration system
—
Integrating the titles into the computer system administering forestry information (SIGIF II)
—
If necessary, verifying the registration of the guarantee in the Public Revenue department
—
Publishing licences
—
Evaluating the system for the issue of certificates of legality
—
Human resources and capacities
—
Procedure for issuing certificates of legality (application of the legality matrix)
—
Verifying (based on sampling) the certificates of legality issued
—
System for registering the certificates issued
—
Use and function of the SIGIF II
—
Field verification procedures (in the forest, en route and in the processing units)
—
Registering the reports following field verification procedures
—
Mechanism for recognising private certificates recognised on the basis of the principles, criteria and indicators applicable in Cameroon and verification of their conformity with the requirements of the legality matrix
—
Evaluating the traceability system
—
Human resources and capacities
—
Field control procedures (implementation of the national forestry and fauna control strategy)
—
Evaluating control activities (including any field verifications that may be required)
—
Registration at the individual stages of the traceability chain
—
Evaluating interaction between the individual systems: Computer system administering forestry information (SIGIF II), Monitoring offences and IT management of forestry disputes (SIGICOF), Customs IT system (SYDONIA) and Better monitoring of fiscal of return (MESURE)
—
Evaluating harvesting/reconciliation of information along the supply chain
—
Evaluating the FLEGT licensing scheme
—
Human resources and capacities
—
Licensing procedures
—
Use and function of SIGIF II, SIGICOF, SYDONIA and MESURE
—
Verifying (based on sampling) the FLEGT licences issued
—
FLEGT licence registration system
—
Production of statistics and other consolidated information.
2.
Identifying deficiencies in the LAS and reporting them to the Joint Implementation Council.
3.
Evaluating the effectiveness of any corrective measures taken to address failures identified in audit reports.
4.
Evaluating the efficiency of the procedure established by the Union for release for free circulation of the products covered by the FLEGT scheme within the Union market, and specifically:
—
verification period,
—
institutional problems between the competent authorities and the licensing authority.
5.
Evaluating the monitoring system for timber in transit.
6.
Examining the joint application of both Parties at any other point during implementation of the LAS.
III. Qualification required
The ISA must be undertaken under the responsibility of an independent organisation with a proven track record in auditing and able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the forestry sector in Cameroon and/or the Congo Basin. It must also have the following characteristics:
—
not be directly involved in the management (logging, processing, timber trading, control) of the activities of the forestry sector in Cameroon. Service providers under contract with the Cameroon government with respect to forestry control are not eligible to carry out ISAs,
—
not have any direct or indirect interests with respect to one of the actors in the forestry sector of Cameroon or of the Union,
—
have an internal quality system in accordance with the ISO 17021 system or equivalent,
—
be able to demonstrate that its teams include experts in the fields of audits relating to forestry management, the processing industry, traceability systems and knowledge of the Union market,
—
be able to demonstrate that its teams include experts having sufficient experience in Cameroon and elsewhere in the Congo Basin,
—
the involvement of experts from the subregion is to be encouraged alongside the use of international experts.
IV. Methodology
The ISA must be undertaken using documented procedures.
—
The ISA auditor must act in accordance with a documented management system, policies and procedures which meet the requirements laid down in the internationally accepted good practice guide and made publicly available.
—
The ISA auditor will draw up an audit timetable based on the following frequency: 6 months following the effective establishment of the assurance scheme, thereafter once a year after the initial period, subject to confirmation that the schemes are functioning effectively.
—
The ISA will take place, if possible, during the first quarter of the year.
—
The documented procedures must serve as a guide for verifications based on the sampling of documents, registrations and operations.
—
All observations made during the audits must be documented.
—
The observations made during the audit will culminate in the definition of the systemic problems encountered.
—
The audit report must contain all relevant information on the programme and the findings made. An outline for the audit report and summary report must be provided in the documented procedures.
—
The ISA auditor sets up a system for receiving and dealing with complaints made against him.
V. Sources of information
The ISA must use all the available sources of information, in particular:
1.
Reports of the permanent forestry control missions undertaken as part of the national forestry and fauna control strategy (SNCFF).
2.
Information from the Legality Assurance System (LAS) and its four components:
—
verifying conformity of the title allocation process,
—
verifying the system for the issue of certificates of legality,
—
verifying the traceability system,
—
verifying the licensing system.
3.
The other administrations:
—
customs,
—
tax administration (forestry revenue securing program – PSRF).
4.
Information from external control mechanisms:
—
independent observation (IO) for controlling and monitoring forestry offences, which seeks to strengthen the control capacities of the Ministry responsible for forests and provides independent sources of information on the forestry sector,
—
Société Générale de Surveillance (GSS) [supervisory company], responsible for physical inspection of timber logs in order to secure customs revenue,
—
private voluntary legality and traceability certification systems, recognised under the PCIs (principles, criteria and indicators) applicable in Cameroon, and recognised sustainable management certificates (such as the ‘Forestry Stewardship Council’ [FSC] label),
—
other mechanisms for monitoring logging in Cameroon, which provide important information on illegal activities.
5.
Field visits by third parties.
6.
Information gathered from other organisations (specialist NGOs etc.).
7.
Report from the competent Union authorities.
8.
All other sources of information deemed useful by the ISA.
9.
Published audits from other countries that have established a FLEGT licensing scheme.
VI. Reports
Every ISA report will include:
(i)
a complete report for the Parties containing all relevant information on the audit programme and on the operation of the Legality Assurance System and the issuing of FLEGT licences;
(ii)
a summary of the report, for the public, based on the full report and summarising the main conclusions and deficiencies of the system that have been identified.
The ISA shall submit a preliminary report to the Joint Implementation Council through the Joint Monitoring Committee of the Agreement. The associated comments will be sent to the ISA for finalisation of the report. The ISA must provide all necessary information and responses to requests for clarification. The final report will be based on the preliminary report, to which will be added any clarification provided by either Party, and any responses by the ISA to this clarification. The ISA auditor will send the final report to the Council. If the Council gives a favourable opinion, Cameroon will publish the report. ISA reports and any corrective action required will be discussed by the Council. The ISA auditor is then notified of the corrective action to be taken.
VII. Recruitment rules
The ISA auditor will be selected in accordance with the rules in force in Cameroon. The Cameroon Government will conclude a contract with the ISA, following consultation with the Union, and based on documented and transparent selection procedures.
ANNEX VII
PUBLISHED INFORMATION
1.
The Parties undertake to ensure that the Agreement and the FLEGT licensing scheme are properly understood by all the actors involved. Access to information on the objectives, implementation, monitoring and control will enable a thorough understanding of the process to be gained, and all the actors to be involved, with a view to attaining all the objectives of the Agreement. Such transparency will strengthen the image of Cameroon forestry products on the Union market and will improve the investment climate for those companies exporting timber to the Union.
2.
Information on the operations associated with the FLEGT licensing scheme will be set out in an annual report published by the Joint Implementation Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council). To this end, the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) will conduct regular joint mission in order to assess the efficiency of the agreement and its impact. Based on information provided by both Parties, the annual report on the FLEGT licensing scheme should include, in particular, information relating to:
(a)
quantities of timber and derived products exported to the Union under the FLEGT licensing scheme according to the relevant HS/CEMAC code headings and according to the EU Member State of destination;
(b)
the number of FLEGT licences issued by Cameroon; progress made in achieving objectives and action to be taken within a deadline specified in the Agreement and all matters relating to implementation of the Agreement;
(c)
action preventing the export of timber and derived products of illegal origin to non-EU markets or sale thereof on the national market;
(d)
quantities of timber and derived products imported into Cameroon or having transited through Cameroon;
(e)
the measures taken to prevent the import of timber and derived products of illegal origin in order to maintain the integrity of the FLEGT licensing scheme;
(f)
cases of non-compliance with the FLEGT licensing scheme in Cameroon and action taken in such cases;
(g)
quantities of timber and derived products imported into the Union under the FLEGT licensing scheme, according to the relevant HS/CEMAC code headings and according to the Member State of the Union into which import took place;
(h)
quantities of timber and derived products imported into the Union under the FLEGT licensing scheme, according to countries of origin (to be provided by the Union);
(i)
information on prices on the international market;
(j)
number of FLEGT licences received by the Union;
(k)
number of cases and quantities of timber and derived products involved where Article 10(1) and (2) ( 1 ) has been applied.
3.
The other data and reports will be published in order to give the actors involved access to useful information to enable monitoring of implementation of the Agreement. This access to information must also enable the strengthening of governance in the forestry sector. This information will be published on the websites of both Parties. More specifically, the information will include the following elements:
Legal information
—
Legality matrices
—
All the existing legislative and regulatory references and rules set out in Annex II
—
Texts of all laws and amendments applicable to the forestry sector
—
Forest Code (laws and regulatory texts)
—
Implementing texts
—
List of signed/ratified international conventions and agreements
—
Text of the Agreement, its Annexes and subsequent amendments
—
Employment Code and principal regulatory texts applicable to the forestry sector on this subject
—
General Tax Code and finance laws
—
List of private legality/durability certification schemes recognised by the Ministry responsible for forests
Information on production
—
Total annual log production
—
Annual authorised logging volumes, by species, title and company
—
Annual volumes processed, by type of product, species and company
—
Annual volumes of logs exported, by species (total and to the Union)
—
Annual volumes of timber and derived products imported into Cameroon, and by country
—
Annual volumes of timber sold at public auction
Information on allocation
—
List of valid titles, with names of the companies to whom they have been allocated
—
List of annual operating permits/annual logging certificates issued
—
Location map of valid logging titles
—
Location map for annual areas available for logging
—
Official areas of valid logging titles and allocation price (annual forestry fee – RFA)
—
Notices of various invitations to tender (cut timber sale, timber salvage licence, lumber permit etc.)
—
Information on the pre-emptive right
—
List of annual withdrawals of secure documents (DF10 worksite books and waybills)
—
Results of the interministerial title allocation committee
—
List of approved forestry companies (logging, processing, inventories, management)
—
Notification of start of activities for timber salvage licences (ARB)
Information on management
—
Mandate, rôles and responsibilities of the ministerial departments responsible for management
—
List of concessions under management
—
List of communal forests and their areas
—
Area of forestry concessions allocated
—
Area of forestry concessions involved in management (including annual operating plans and five year management plans)
—
Area of forestry concessions with approved management plan
—
Area of certificated forestry concessions
—
Documents relating to approved management plans
—
Terms and conditions
—
Environmental impact studies
Information on processing
—
List of approved processing companies
—
Location of processing units (actual addresses and/or geographical coordinates of the processing units)
—
Processing capacities per processing unit (% of capacity actually used)
—
Volume of plant entry per company
—
Volume of plant departure per company
—
Stock at year end
Information on exports
—
Data on timber in transit
—
Data on exports, by species, country and company
Information on the Legality Assurance System and monitoring
—
Final description of the Legality Assurance System
—
Procedures for granting certificates of legality and FLEGT licences
—
National strategy and control rules
—
Reports from the independent title allocation observer
—
Report from the independent forestry control observer
—
Reports from the control teams
—
List of certificates of legality issued
—
List of FLEGT licences issued
—
Rejected certificate applications
—
Rejected FLEGT licence applications
Information on audits
—
Terms of Reference for the audits
—
Auditor recruitment procedures
—
Results of the audit
—
Complaints about the audit and their handling
—
Introduction of corrective measures
Information on financial transactions
—
List of forestry disputes (record of offences)
—
Annual report on forestry revenue
—
Annual payments of the annual forestry fee (RFA) by title
—
List of payments of local and national taxes
—
List of fines for offences
—
List of disputes settled
Information on the institutional set-up
—
Structure and functioning of the Joint Monitoring Committee
—
Report of the Joint Monitoring Committee
—
Structure and functioning of the National Monitoring Committee
—
Report of the National Monitoring Committee
—
Structure and functioning of the Interministerial Links Monitoring Committee
—
Report of the Interministerial Links Monitoring Committee
—
List of issuing authorities
—
List of competent authorities
—
Reports of competent authorities.
4.
The Parties undertake to ensure transparency in the action taken in connection with the Agreement. With this in mind, in the event of a specific request made by another actor in the sector, they will make accessible all information they consider necessary.
5.
The methods and channels used to publish the information in question must include the following elements:
—
official reports,
—
websites (MINFOF, EC, GLIN) ( 2 ) ,
—
multi-actor implementation platform,
—
public meetings,
—
press conferences,
—
films,
—
radio and television.
( 1 ) Article 10(1) and (2): Consultations on the regularity of the FLEGT licences: If there are any reservations regarding the regularity of a licence, the competent authority concerned must contact the licensing authority to obtain the additional information.
If the licensing authority fails to reply within 21 calendar days of the date of receipt of the application, or if the additional information received confirms the irregularity, or if the details appearing on the FLEGT licence do not correspond to the shipment, the competent authority in question will not accept the FLEGT licence and will decide how to proceed by application of existing national legislation. The licensing authority must be informed.
( 2 ) Global Legal Information Network.
ANNEX VIII
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF THE LEGALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM (LAS)
This Agreement provides for the implementation of a Legality Assurance System (LAS) intended to guarantee that all timber and derived products specified in the Agreement and exported from Cameroon to the Union are produced entirely legally. The LAS should include:
—
a definition of legally produced timber that lists the laws that must be complied with in order for a licence to be issued,
—
control of the supply chain to track timber from the forest to the point of export,
—
verification of compliance with all elements of the definition of legality and control of the supply chain,
—
the procedures for issuing certificates of legality and FLEGT licences, and finally,
—
the independent audit to ensure that the system is working as intended.
The LAS will be subject to an independent technical evaluation before the licensing scheme becomes fully operational; the Terms of Reference will be jointly agreed between the Parties, via the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) for the Agreement. These evaluation criteria describe what the LAS is expected to produce and will provide the basis for the Terms of Reference for the evaluation. The evaluation will be aimed in particular at:
—
reviewing the system description with special focus on any revisions made after the Agreement was signed, and
—
examining the functioning of the system in practice.
I. Definition of legality
Legally produced timber needs to be defined on the basis of the laws applicable in Cameroon. The definition used must be unambiguous, objectively verifiable and operationally workable and, as a minimum, include those laws which cover:
Harvesting rights: granting of legal rights to harvest timber within legally gazetted boundaries.
Forestry operations: compliance with legal requirements regarding forest management including compliance with relevant environmental and employment legislation.
Fees and taxes: compliance with legal requirements concerning taxes and fees directly related to timber harvesting and harvesting rights.
Other users: respect for other parties’ legal tenure or rights of use of land and resources that may be affected by timber harvesting rights, where such other rights exist.
Trade and customs: compliance with legal requirements for trade and customs procedures.
Is it clear what legal instrument underpins each element of the definition?
Are criteria and indicators that can be used to test compliance with each element of the definition specified?
Are the criteria/indicators clear, objective and operationally workable?
Do the indicators and criteria clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of the various parties and does verification assess performance of all relevant parties?
Does the definition of legality include the main areas of existing law outlined above? If not: why were certain areas of law left out of the definition?
In drawing up the definition, did the parties concerned consider all the main areas of applicable law?
Does the legality control system incorporate the main legal provisions identified through prior discussion between the various parties involved?
Has the definition of legality and the legality control matrix been amended since the Agreement was concluded? Have indicators and criteria been defined to ensure verification of these changes?
II. Control of the supply chain
Systems to control the supply chain must provide credible assurance that timber products can be traced throughout the supply chain from harvesting or point of import to the point of export. It will not always be necessary to maintain physical traceability for a log, log load or timber product from the point of export back to the forest of origin, but it is always needed between the forest and the first point of mixing (e.g. a timber terminal or a processing facility).
II a. Logging rights
There is clear delineation of areas where forest resource rights have been allocated and the holders of those rights have been identified.
Does the control system ensure that only timber originating from a forest area with valid and permissible rights of use enters the supply chain?
Does the control system ensure that enterprises carrying out harvesting operations have been issued appropriate logging rights for the forest areas concerned?
Have the procedures for issuing logging rights and information on issued logging rights and their holders been published?
II b. Systems for controlling the supply chain
There are effective mechanisms for tracing timber throughout the supply chain from harvesting to the point of export.
The approach for identifying timber may vary, ranging from the use of labels for individual items to reliance on documentation accompanying a load or batch. The selected method must reflect the type and value of the timber and the risk of contamination with illegal or unverified timber.
Are all the supply chain alternatives identified and described in the control system?
Are all stages in the supply chain identified and described in the control system?
Are methods defined and documented to (a) identify the product origin and (b) prevent mixing with timber from unknown sources in the subsequent stages of the supply chain?
—
timber in the forest,
—
transport,
—
interim storage,
—
arrival at the primary processing facility,
—
processing facilities,
—
interim storage,
—
transport,
—
arrival at point of export?
Which organisations are in charge of controlling the timber flows? Do they have adequate human and other resources for carrying out the control activities?
Is there a protocol for verifying the results of the control procedures set up and applied?
Are the application procedures clearly defined and communicated to all interested parties?
II c. Quantities
There are robust and effective mechanisms for measuring and recording the quantities of timber or timber products at each stage of the supply chain, including reliable and accurate pre-harvest estimates of the volume of standing timber in each harvesting site.
Does the control system produce quantitative data of inputs and outputs at the following stages of the supply chain?
—
standing timber,
—
logs in the forest,
—
transported and stored timber,
—
arrival at the primary processing facility,
—
control within the processing facilities,
—
arrival at point of export?
Which organisations are responsible for feeding the quantitative data into the control system? How are these organisations linked? Are the staff of these organisations given standard training in data management?
What is the quality of the controlled data?
If different organisations are responsible, how is it ensured that control performance and data management are conducted in the same way in each organisation?
II d. Data gathering
All data is recorded in a way which makes it possible to reconcile it with the prior and subsequent links in the chain in a timely manner. Reliable reconciliation is carried out for the entire supply chain.
Is all quantitative data recorded in a way which makes it possible to quickly reconcile quantities with the prior and subsequent stages in the supply chain?
Are there methods to assess coherence between inputs of raw materials and outputs of processed products at sawmills and other plants?
Is reliable reconciliation by individual item or by batch of timber products possible throughout the supply chain?
What information systems and technologies are applied for storing and reconciliation of data and for recording it? Are there robust systems in place for securing the data?
How is unauthorised access to the system avoided (system security)?
How is the viability of the security systems guaranteed?
Which organisation is responsible for data reconciliation? Does it have adequate human and other resources for carrying out the data management activities?
What information on the supply chain control is made publicly available?
How can the interested parties access this information?
II e. Mixing of legally verified timber with timber approved elsewhere
If mixing of logs or timber from verified legal sources with logs or timber from other sources is allowed, there are sufficient controls in place to exclude timber from unknown sources or which was harvested without legal logging rights.
Does the control system allow verified timber to be mixed with other approved timber (e.g.: with imported timber or timber originating from a forest area where clear legal harvesting rights have been granted, but that is still not covered by the full verification process)?
What control measures are applied in these cases? For example, do controls ensure that verified output volumes declared do not exceed total verified input volumes at each stage?
What are the conditions for introducing into the supply chain confiscated timber sold at public auction, and is there a viable verification procedure?
II f. Imported timber products
There are adequate controls to ensure that imported timber and derived products have been legally imported.
How is the legality of imports of timber and derived products demonstrated?
What evidence is required to demonstrate that imported products originate from trees harvested legally in a third country?
Does the LAS identify imported timber and timber products throughout the supply chain?
Where imported timber is used, can the country of origin be identified on the FLEGT licence, including that of components in composite products?
Does the use of barcodes on imported timber guarantee that only forestry products that have been legally logged and processed will be exported with a FLEGT licence? (For example, what happens to imported timber after the initial processing stage, how is the mark applied, how will the mark be altered after the subsequent processing stages)?
III. Verification
Verification provides adequate checks to ensure the legality of timber. It must be sufficiently robust and effective to ensure that any non-compliance with requirements, either in the forest or within the supply chain, is identified and corrective action is taken in good time.
III a. Organisation
Verification is carried out by a government, a third-party organisation or some combination of these, which has adequate resources, management systems and skilled and trained personnel, as well as robust and effective mechanisms to control conflicts of interest.
Has the government appointed a body or bodies to undertake the verification tasks? Is the mandate (including associated responsibilities) clear and in the public domain?
Are the responsibilities clearly allocated and are the required competences associated with the responsibilities clearly defined; how are they implemented?
How do the departments responsible for verifying legality guarantee the highest possible level of rationalised collaboration and data management between the administrations involved in forestry sector control (MINEP – MINFI etc.)?
Does the verification body have adequate resources for carrying out the verification of the legality definition and the systems for controlling the timber supply chain?
Does the verification body have a fully documented management system that:
—
ensures adequate competence/experience for the personnel of the verification body,
—
applies internal control/supervision,
—
includes mechanisms to control conflicts of interest,
—
ensures transparency of the system,
—
defines and applies verification methodology,
—
uses a publicly accessible complaints management system?
III b. Verification against the definition of legality
There is a clear definition setting out what has to be verified. The verification methodology is documented and ensures that the process is systematic, transparent, evidence-based, carried out at regular intervals and covers everything included within the definition.
Does the verification methodology cover all elements of the legality definition and include tests of compliance with all specified indicators?
Does verification require:
—
checks of documentation, operating records and field operations (including spot checks),
—
collection of information from external interested parties,
—
recording of verification activities that allows checking by internal auditors and the independent monitor?
Are institutional roles and responsibilities clearly defined and applied?
Are the verification results against the definition of legality made publicly available? How can the interested parties access this information?
III c. Verification of systems for controlling the supply chain
There is a clear scope setting out what has to be verified, which covers the entire supply chain from harvesting to export. The verification methodology is documented and ensures that the process is systematic, transparent, evidence-based, carried out at regular intervals and covers everything included within the scope, and includes regular and timely reconciliation of data between each stage in the chain.
Does the verification methodology fully cover checks on supply chain controls?
Is this clearly spelt out in verification methodology?
What evidence is there to demonstrate application of verification of supply chain controls?
Are institutional roles and responsibilities clearly defined and applied?
Are the verification results on supply chain control made publicly available? How can the interested parties access this information?
III d. Non-compliance
There is an effective and functioning mechanism for requiring and enforcing appropriate corrective action where offences are identified.
Does the verification system define the above requirement?
Have mechanisms been developed for handling non-compliance? Are these applied in practice?
Are there adequate records available on the offences identified and corrective action taken? Is the effectiveness of corrective actions evaluated?
What information on identified breaches goes into the public domain?
IV. Licensing
Cameroon has assigned a licensing authority overall responsibility for issuing FLEGT licences. FLEGT licences are issued on the basis of either individual shipments or forestry entities.
IV a. Organisation
What body is assigned responsibility for issuing FLEGT licences?
Are the roles of the licensing authority and its personnel with regard to issuing of FLEGT licences clearly defined and publicly available?
Are the competence requirements defined and internal controls established for the personnel of the licensing authority?
Does the licensing authority have adequate resources for carrying out its task?
IV b. Issuing of FLEGT licences
Does the licensing authority have documented procedures for issuing licences?
Are these publicly available, including any fees payable?
What evidence is there that these procedures are properly applied in practice?
Are there adequate records available on licences issued and refused?
Do the records clearly show the evidence on which the issuing of licences is based?
IV c. Consignment-based licences
Is the licensing based on an individual consignment?
Has the legality of an export consignment been demonstrated through government verification and traceability systems?
Are the requirements for issuing licences clearly specified and available to the exporter?
Do exporters fully understand the criteria for the issue of FLEGT licences?
What information on issued licences goes into the public domain?
V. Instructions on the independent system audit
The Independent System Audit (ISA) is a function that is independent of Cameroon’s forestry sector regulatory bodies. It aims to provide credibility to the FLEGT licensing scheme by checking that all aspects of the LAS are operating as intended.
V a. Institutional arrangements
Designation of authority: Cameroon has formally authorised the ISA function and allows it to operate in an effective and transparent way.
Independence from other elements of the LAS: There is a clear separation between organisations and individuals that are involved in management or regulation of the forest resource and those involved in the independent audit.
—
Does the government have documented requirements for the independence of the independent auditor?
—
Do provisions state that organisations or individuals from both Parties having a commercial interest or an institutional role in the forestry sector are not eligible to perform the independent auditor function?
Designation of the independent auditor: The independent auditor was appointed through a transparent mechanism and there are clear and publicly-available rules regarding his actions.
—
Has the government made the terms of reference for the independent auditor publicly available?
—
Has the government documented the procedures for appointing the independent auditor and made them publicly available?
Establishing a mechanism for handling complaints: there is a mechanism for handling complaints and disputes that arise from the independent audit. This mechanism makes it possible to deal with any complaint relating to the operation of the licensing scheme.
—
Is there a documented mechanism for handling complaints that is available to all interested parties?
—
Is it clear how complaints are received, documented, escalated (where necessary) and responded to?
V b. The independent auditor
Organisational and technical requirements: the independent auditor is independent of the other components of the Legality Assurance System and operates in accordance with a documented management structure, policies and procedures that meet internationally accepted best practice.
—
Does the independent auditor operate in accordance with a documented management system that meets the requirements of ISO Guide 17021 or similar standards?
Methodology of the audit: the methodology of the independent audit is evidence-based and verifications are carried out at specific and frequent intervals.
—
Does the methodology specify basing all findings on objective evidence concerning the functioning of the LAS?
—
Does the methodology of the independent audit specify the maximum intervals at which each element of the LAS will be verified?
Scope of the audit: The independent auditor operates according to terms of reference that clearly specify what has to be audited and that cover all agreed requirements for the issuing of FLEGT licences.
—
Does the methodology of the independent audit cover all elements of the LAS and specify the main tests of effectiveness?
Reporting requirements: The ISA auditor shall submit a preliminary report to the Joint Implementation Council (Council) through the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the Agreement. The reports of the independent auditor and any corrective action required will be discussed in the JMC.
—
Do the independent auditor’s terms of reference specify the reporting requirements and reporting intervals?
—
Do the terms of reference of the auditor and the procedures of the JMC describe the publication process for audit results?
VI. The Evaluation criteria of the system established in the Union to accept FLEGT licences
The FLEGT Regulation and its application measures lay down procedures for establishing the FLEGT licensing scheme, including procedures to enable verification that the Cameroon timber products intended for release for free circulation within the Union are properly covered by a FLEGT licence. These procedures also require the Member States of the Union to designate a competent authority to take on this responsibility.
Since these are new measures introduced specifically to implement the FLEGT scheme, the evaluation will examine the degree of preparedness of the Union as regards verification of the FLEGT licences.
Have the competent authorities been identified in each Member State of the Union? Has this information been made public?
Have the procedures for processing the FLEGT licences been established in every Member State of the Union? Have these procedures been made public?
Have appropriate legislation and regulations been established where deemed necessary by the Member States of the Union?
Have the means of communication between the competent authorities and the customs authorities been determined?
Have procedures been established to enable the Union, or any person or body designated by the European Union, to gain access to relevant documents and data and to avoid any problems arising that could hamper the proper functioning of the FLEGT licensing scheme?
Have procedures been established to enable the independent auditor to gain access to all relevant documents and data?
Have reporting methods been negotiated between the Member States of the Union and the European Commission? Have publication procedures for these reports been drawn up and adopted?
Do procedures cover cases where goods accompanied by a FLEGT licence are not accepted? Have procedures been established to report any contradictions in the licences and to deal with offences?
Has the information relating to fines in various offence scenarios been published?
ANNEX IX
SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT
Activities
Secondary activities
Yr 1 ( 1 )
Yr 2
Yr 3
Yr 4
Yr 5
Yr 6
Yr 7
Yr 8
Preparatory phase
Operational phase 1
1.
Raising awareness and providing information among actors and the public
1.1.
Preparation of a communication plan
x
1.2.
Evaluation and readjustment of the communication plan
x
x
x
1.3.
Implementation of the communication plan
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1.4.
Establishment of an exchange platform between COMIFAC countries
x
x
x
1.5.
Communication activities designed to inform international opinion
x
x
x
1.6
Promotional campaigns
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1.7.
Raising awareness of the actors in relation to elements of the LVP
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2.
Promotion of ‘FLEGT Cameroon’ products on the Union market
2.1.
Preparation of a promotional plan/feasibility study for a ‘FLEGT Cameroon’ label
x
x
2.2.
Labelling ‘FLEGT Cameroon’ products
x
2.3.
Label protection and management
x
x
x
x
x
2.4.
Promotion of ‘FLEGT Cameroon’ products on targeted markets
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2.5.
Raising awareness among the European public
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2.6.
Promotion of the LAS in other international markets (USA, China etc.)
x
x
x
x
x
x
3.
Institutional arrangements
3.1.
Organisation of the central structure
x
x
3.2.
Organisation of the peripheral structures (Douala, Kribi etc.)
x
x
3.3.
Establishment and function of the Council and the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the Agreement
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
3.4.
Establishment and function of the National Monitoring Committee of the Agreement
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
4.
Capacity building
4.1.
Preparation of a training plan (identification of the actors involved and design of a matrix enabling determination of the objectives of the training and campaigns to be undertaken, including an estimate of the costs involved)
x
4.2.
Implementation of the training plan
x
x
x
4.3.
Definition of equipment and logistical tools
x
x
4.4.
Acquisition of equipment and logistical tools
x
x
4.5.
Putting equipment, logistical tools and maintenance into service
x
x
5.
Reform of the legal framework
5.1.
Review of forestry law and its implementing texts
x
x
5.2.
Improvement of the legal framework relating to the domestic timber market
x
x
x
5.3.
Improvement of the legal framework relating to forests (community, communal and private forests)
x
x
x
5.4.
Improvement of the legal framework relating to social and environmental aspects
x
x
x
5.5.
Integration of the relevant provisions of international legal instruments duly ratified by Cameroon
x
x
x
5.6.
Any necessary readjustment of the legality matrix
x
5.7.
Improvement of the legal framework in relation to the industrialisation of the forestry sector and advanced processing
x
x
x
6.
Improvement of the national control system
6.1.
Developing a system for planning the control actions
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
6.2.
Establishment of procedures for the control operations, in accordance with the legality assurance procedures
x
x
x
6.3.
Development of measures to improve governance
x
x
x
6.4.
Function of the national control system feeding into the SIGIF II
x
x
x
x
x
x
7.
Establishment of the traceability system
7.1.
Development of the traceability system
x
x
7.2.
Establishment of the link between the databases of the various ministries involved and the mechanises for the exchange of data with the CEMAC countries
x
x
7.3.
Updating the inventory rules
x
x
7.4.
Testing of the pilot system (operationalisation)
x
x
7.5.
Acquisition of materials and equipment (identifiers, identifier readers, computers) for extension of the system to national level
x
x
7.6.
Consolidation and extension of the system to national level: establishment and equipment of control posts along the supply chains, including border posts (infrastructure, computers, Internet links, etc.)
x
x
7.7.
Strengthening the capacity of the actors (MINFOF and other administrations involved, private sector and civil society), with geo-referenced inventories, use of databases etc.
x
x
x
7.8.
Training of staff involved (legality unit and control posts), private sector and civil society
x
x
x
7.9.
Function of the traceability system
x
x
x
x
x
7.10.
Data gathering and processing
x
x
x
x
x
7.11.
Equipment maintenance
x
x
x
x
x
8.
Establishment of the scheme for verifying the legality of the forestry entity
8.1.
Continued development and field tests of the legality matrices
x
x
x
8.2.
Development of detailed procedures for verifying the legality of the forestry entity
x
x
x
8.3.
Training and raising awareness on the procedures for verifying the legality of the forestry entity
x
x
8.4.
Recognition and publication of the approved private certification schemes
x
x
x
8.5.
Testing the system for the issue of certificates of legality
x
8.6.
Evaluation of the function of verification of the legality of the forestry entity, together with any necessary corrective measures
x
x
x
8.7.
Issue of certificates of legality
x
x
x
x
x
x
9.
Establishment of the system for the issue of FLEGT licences
9.1.
Development of detailed procedures for the issue of FLEGT licences
x
x
9.2.
Raising awareness of the procedures for issuing FLEGT licences within the private sector
x
x
x
9.3.
Establishment of contacts with the competent Union authorities
x
x
x
9.4.
Feasibility study on the issue of electronic FLEGT licences
x
x
9.5.
Testing the system for the issue of FLEGT licences
x
x
9.6.
Issue of FLEGT licences
x
x
x
x
x
10.
Independent audits of the system
10.1.
Recruitment of the independent auditor and development of detailed methodology
x
10.2.
First independent audit (6 months after launch)
x
10.3.
Second independent audit (12 months after launch)
x
10.4.
Third independent audit (2 years after launch)
x
10.5.
Fourth independent audit
x
10.6.
Fifth independent audit
x
10.7.
Sixth independent audit
x
11.
Monitoring the domestic timber market (MIB)
11.1.
Monitoring the domestic timber market
x
x
x
11.2.
Establishment of a statistic-gathering system
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
12.
Industrialisation and marketing
12.1.
Completion of an inventory of the timber sector in Cameroon and of the consumption of timber-based products on the Cameroon market
x
12.2.
Consultation with professionals (informal or otherwise)
x
12.3.
Analysis of the dynamics and of requirements
x
x
12.4.
Preparation of plan for the evaluation, industrial development and more advanced processing of timber
x
x
12.5.
Preparation of processing rules
x
x
12.6.
Preparation of incentives for the use of timber (quality standards, promotion of new products)
x
x
12.7.
Characterisation and promotion of lesser known species
x
x
x
x
x
x
12.8.
Encouragement of technology transfer
x
x
x
x
x
x
13.
Monitoring the impacts of the Agreement
13.1.
Definition and monitoring of social indicators
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
13.2.
Establishment of a system for monitoring confiscated timber volumes
x
13.3.
Establishment of the system for monitoring socioeconomic and environmental impact
x
13.4.
Evaluation of the socioeconomic impact halfway through implementation of the Agreement
x
x
x
13.5.
Monitoring the growth in forestry sector revenue
x
x
x
x
x
x
13.6.
Strengthening the mechanism for permanent monitoring of vegetation cover (monitoring permanent plots of land, satellite images etc.)
x
x
x
x
x
13.7.
Impact studies in relation to: illegal logging, market access, revenue growth, timber exports, of confiscated timber quantities
x
x
x
x
13.8.
Monitoring developments in relation to fines and court cases
x
x
x
x
x
x
14.
Seeking additional financing
14.1.
Development a fund mobilisation strategy
x
x
14.2.
Development of programmes and funding agencies
x
x
x
x
x
( 1 ) Year 1 begins as from the signature of the Agreement.
ANNEX X
SUPPORTING MEASURES AND FINANCING MECHANISMS
I. Financing mechanisms
A large proportion of the activities required for implementation of the Agreement is already included under the sector reforms introduced by the Cameroon Government, which are identified as some of the priority activities to be undertaken by the Forest and Environment Sector Programme (PSFE). As a result, their financing is assured through the instruments identified under that programme, in particular:
(a)
for funds provided by Cameroon itself:
—
the national budget,
—
the Special Forestry Development Fund (FSDF),
(b)
for contributions by the partners:
—
the Common Fund,
—
budgetary support.
However, additional financial resources are needed for some actions that are specific to the Agreement, hence the need to seek resources elsewhere:
—
from the development partners: the support of the Union via the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) and other mechanisms to be identified,
—
internally: the introduction of a tax.
These additional funds must be mobilised in accordance with the Forest and Environment Sector Programme.
II. Supporting measures
The implementation of actions more specific to the Agreement will require supporting measures in the following fields:
(a)
capacity building;
(b)
communication;
(c)
promotion of FLEGT products on the Union market;
(d)
monitoring the domestic timber market;
(e)
industrialisation;
(f)
monitoring the impact of the Agreement;
(g)
helping to monitor implementation of the Legality Assurance Scheme (LAS);
(h)
modernising the traceability system;
(i)
strengthening the national control system;
(j)
the Legality Assurance System;
(k)
the system for issuing FLEGT licences;
(l)
establishing the independent audit;
(m)
reforms of the legal framework;
(n)
seeking additional financing.
To this end, the Parties must ensure that adequate technical and financial support is in place, in order to enable the Cameroon Government to implement the necessary actions.
II a. Capacity building
Justification
—
Technical upgrade via the training of all the actors involved (administrations, private sector, civil society etc.)
—
Increased equipment
—
Increased logistical tools.
Planned action
—
Preparation of a training plan (identification of the actors involved and design of a matrix enabling determination of the objectives of the training and campaigns to be undertaken, including an estimate of the costs involved)
—
Implementation of the training plan
—
Definition of requirements as regards equipment and logistical tools
—
Acquisition of equipment and logistical tools
—
Ensuring the proper function of equipment and logistical tools.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance
—
Financial support for training
—
Financial support for the acquisition of equipment and logistical tools.
II b. Communication
Justification
Communication is a very important element within the process leading to the implementation of the Agreement; it will:
—
encourage involvement and guarantee the coherence of the contributions of the various actors,
—
help to develop synergies between the member countries of the Central Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC),
—
promote the image of Cameroon timber on the international market,
—
ensure the support of public opinion for the action taken by the Cameroon Government to promote sustainable forestry resource management and development of the communities that depend on it,
—
promote the benefits of a voluntary partnership agreement among the actors involved and the public.
Planned action
—
Preparation and implementation of a communication plan for raising public awareness inside and outside the MINFOF
—
Establishment of an exchange platform between COMIFAC countries
—
Communication work designed to inform international opinion (see Annex VII)
—
Making the actors aware of the elements of the Agreement that will concern then, and helping them to adapt to the new elements concerned
—
Making European public opinion aware of the efforts being made by the Cameroon Government to ensure good governance in the forestry sector.
Type of support needed
—
Financial funding
—
Technical assistance and capacity building.
II c. Promotion of FLEGT products on the Union market
Justification:
—
Strengthen confidence thanks to the credibility of the LAS
—
Promote access to Cameroon timber on the Union markets
—
Seek significant value added for Cameroon timber and timber products.
Planned action
—
Feasibility study and, where necessary, establishing a ‘FLEGT Cameroon’ label
—
Label protection and management
—
Label promotion
—
Raising the awareness of the individual Union markets of the legality assurance provided by the FLEGT licence.
Type of support
—
Financial support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building
—
Promotional campaigns within the Union market.
II d. Monitoring the domestic timber market
Justification
—
Control of the internal flow of timber within Cameroon
—
Possibility of enhancing the contribution of the domestic timber market (MIB) to the national economy.
Planned action
—
Organisation of the domestic timber market
—
Improvement of the legal framework relating to the domestic timber market
—
Establishment of a statistic-gathering system
—
Establishment of a suitable traceability system.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building.
II e. Industrialisation
Justification
—
Modernisation of the industrial fabric
—
Diversification of production (2nd and 3rd level processing)
—
Development of the national and regional markets and stimulation of local consumer of legal timber
—
Improvement of the processing and by-product recovery processes
—
Increase in the value added of timber sold for export
—
Job creation, training of professionals and involvement in the fight against poverty.
Planned action
—
Inventory of the timber sector in Cameroon and of the consumption of timber-based products on the Cameroon market. In particular, analysis of the timber and construction sectors: status of knowledge and markets, status of use of timber in the home, in particular in urban areas, training needs, promotion, development of a bioclimatic timber habitat in Cameroon
—
Consultation with professionals (information or otherwise)
—
Analysis of the dynamics and of requirements
—
Preparation of plan for the evaluation, industrial development and more advanced processing of timber, in accordance with the Forest and Environment Sector Programme
—
Preparation of processing rules
—
Preparation of incentives for the use of timber (quality standards, promotion of new products), in accordance with the Forest and Environment Sector Programme
—
Promotion of lesser known species, in accordance with the Forest and Environment Sector Programme
—
Improvement of the legal framework in relation to the industrialisation of the forestry sector
—
Encouragement of technology transfer improvement of efficiency and returns: situation analysis, proposals for each sub-sector.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building.
II f. Monitoring the impact of the Agreement
Justification
—
Assessment of the impact of the Agreement on the social environment
—
Assessment of the economic impact of the Agreement
—
Assessment of the effects of the Agreement on the development of the vegetation cover.
Planned action
—
Definition and monitoring of social indicators
—
Establishment of a system for monitoring confiscated timber volumes
—
Establishment of the system for monitoring socioeconomic and environmental impact
—
Evaluation of the socioeconomic impact halfway through implementation of the Agreement
—
Monitoring the growth in forestry sector revenue
—
Strengthening the mechanism for permanent monitoring of vegetation cover (monitoring permanent plots of land, satellite images etc.)
—
Impact studies in relation to: illegal logging, market access, revenue growth, timber exports, of confiscated timber quantities
—
Monitoring developments in relation to fines and court cases.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building.
II g. Helping to monitor implementation of the LAS
Justification
—
Ensuring efficient operation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement process within Cameroon
—
Guaranteeing the involvement of all the stakeholders.
Planned action
—
Supporting the function of the national multi-actor monitoring committee, which includes all stakeholders
—
Supporting the function of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the Agreement
—
Establishing the information distribution mechanisms.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building
—
Financial support to the participation of civil society.
II h. Modernising the traceability system
Justification
—
Entry of all timber flows
—
Details of the origin of every product
—
Real-time availability of all information on production, tax, exports and disputes.
Planned action
—
Finalising the description of the traceability system
—
Extending the second generation computer system administering forestry information (SIGIF)
—
Establishing the necessary equipment and the infrastructure
—
Ensuring the proper functioning of the traceability system
—
Data gathering and processing.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building
—
Financial support for equipment acquisition.
II i. Strengthening the national control system
Justification
—
Improving the efficiency of implementation of the national control system.
Planned action
—
Developing a system for planning the control actions
—
Drawing up procedures for the control operations
—
Development of measures to improve governance.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building
—
Renewing the independent observation mechanism.
II j. The Legality Assurance System
Justification
—
Establishing the Legality Assurance System.
Planned action
—
Continued development and field tests of the legality matrices
—
Development of detailed procedures for the Legality Assurance System (LAS)
—
Training and raising awareness on the LAS procedures
—
Recognition and publication of the approved private certification schemes
—
Testing the system for the issue of certificates of legality
—
Evaluation of the function of the LAS, together with any necessary corrective measures.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building
—
Financial support for equipment acquisition.
II k. The system for issuing FLEGT licences
Justification
—
Establishing the system for the issue of FLEGT licences.
Planned action
—
Development of detailed procedures for the issue of FLEGT licences
—
Raising awareness of the procedures for issuing FLEGT licences within the private sector
—
Establishing contacts with the competent European authorities
—
Feasibility study on the issue of electronic FLEGT licences
—
Testing the system for the issue of FLEGT licences.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance and capacity building
—
Financial support for equipment acquisition.
II l. Establishing the independent audit
Justification
—
Guaranteeing the efficiency and credibility of the system for issuing FLEGT licences granted under the Agreement.
Planned action
—
Regular completion of independent audits
—
Monitoring corrective action taken in order to improve the system.
Type of support
—
Financial support for completion of the audits.
II m. Reforms of the legal framework
Justification
—
Improving the coherence of the legal framework applicable to the forestry sector
—
Completing existing aspects that are inadequately structured or regulated.
Planned action
—
Review of forestry law and its implementing texts
—
Improvement of the legal framework relating to the domestic timber market
—
Improvement of the legal framework relating to community, communal and private forests
—
Improvement of the legal framework relating to social and environmental aspects
—
Integration of the relevant provisions of international legal instruments duly ratified by Cameroon
—
Any necessary readjustment of the legality matrix
—
Improvement of the legal framework in relation to the industrialisation of the forestry sector and advanced processing.
Type of support
—
Capacity building.
II n. Seeking additional financing
Justification
—
Mobilising financial resources for realisation of priority actions specifically related to the Agreement, for which funding is not yet available.
Planned action
—
Take action to find donors.
Type of support
—
Technical assistance.
ANNEX XI
JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE
In application of Article 19, the Parties shall establish a decision-making structure designated the ‘Joint Implementing Council’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Council’) and a joint committee responsible for undertaking and facilitating monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of an agreement, designated the ‘Joint Monitoring Committee’ (JMC). The JMC shall also facilitate dialogue and the exchange of information between the Parties. The JMC shall in particular:
(a)
regularly conduct joint missions to review the effectiveness of the implementation of the Agreement as well as its impact, based on the information available;
(b)
propose the date on which the FLEGT Licensing Scheme should be fully operational;
(c)
examine the reports of the independent auditor and any complaint relating to the function of the FLEGT licensing system within the territory of one or other of the Parties and complaints by third parties regarding the function of the independent auditor, and propose action to be taken in order to resolve the questions raised by the system independent audit (ISA);
(d)
monitor, as necessary, action taken by the Parties in order to resolve the problems identified by the independent auditor;
(e)
ensure assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts of the Agreement, in accordance with good practice and criteria to be agreed by the Parties, and propose appropriate solutions to any problem identified by this assessment;
(f)
ensure that regular assessments of the implementation of the Agreement are carried out, including spot checks if applicable;
(g)
make recommendations, in order to help to attain the objectives of the Agreement, including capacity building and the participation of the private sector and civil society;
(h)
prepare an annual report, based on the information from the Parties, which it shall submit to the Council;
(i)
ensure monitoring and reporting of the market situation at regular intervals, propose any necessary studies and recommend action to take on the basis of the market analysis reports;
(j)
examine the amendment proposals put forward by one or other of the Parties in relation to this Agreement or its Annexes, following the procedures described in Article 29, and issue an amendment recommendation to the Council for its consideration;
(k)
deal with any other question associated with implementation of this Agreement, following a proposal by one or other of the Parties;
(l)
on the instruction of the Council, seek an acceptable solution, in the event of a difference of opinion between the Parties, in relation to the application and/or interpretation of this Agreement, as described in Article 24.
2011/201/EU: Council Decision of 28 February 2011 on the conclusion of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Cameroon on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber and derived products to the European Union (FLEGT) (EUR-Lex). Retrieved via LawPlayer, https://lawplayer.com/eu/act/32011D0201
© European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu, 1998-2026. Reuse authorised under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU, provided the source is acknowledged.
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