Summary of the verification scheme
Name of the system
Related Area
Overview ofverification

Scheme to check forlegality at the time oflogging

Quebec Wood Export Bureau (Q-WEB) auditing and traceability system
Region /Country : Province of Quebec / Canada
Party overseeing verification
Name : Quebec Wood Export Bureau (Q-WEB)
Location : Quebec City, Province of Quebec, Canada
Communication :Outline of verification process
On an annual basis, Q-WEB will audit members through a third party (auditor) to make surethat all members’ suppliers have signed the Policy on Wood Origin and Legality (AppendixB) of the Q-WEB Code of Conduct. A certificate will then be issued to members certifyingthat it complies with the Q-WEB’s Auditing and Traceability System.
The system shall verify legality only/or both sustainability
At this time, the system solely monitors legality.
Definition of legality
In Canada illegal logging can be defined as :• Theft of timber or logs;• Deliberate harvesting without express or implied authority to do so, or in unauthorizedareas or where authority has been revoked for deficient harvesting practices, or after
government approvals are obtained by corrupt practices;• Where there is a deliberate failure to pay stumpage and/or royalties to forest owners.
Relevant laws
• Many laws related to logging and harvesting exist at the municipal, regional, provincial
and national level.
• On a provincial level for public lands (Crown Lands) : Quebec’s Forest Act andBest
Management Practices on Crown Lands .
Details regarding presumed illegal activities• In Canada and in all its provinces, governance, or the lack of ability to enforce laws, isnot an issue. No presumed illegal activities.
Procedures for retaining and verifying the evidence
Scheme implemented by the third party and so on to ensure reliability

Scheme to check forsustainability

Definition of sustainability
Procedures for retaining and verifying the evidence
Scheme implemented by the third party and so on to ensure reliability

Scheme of separative
custody management

Real picture of the dealings, from logging to export
Procedure for ensuring separative custody management
Scheme implemented by the third party and so on to ensure reliability

Future Task andPerspectives

Reference Author

Criticisms against the system and recognition of problems
At this moment, members are only requested to have their immediate suppliers provide
the evidence of legality. For North American wood species, suppliers are requested tosubmit all documents described in the Q-WEB Policy on Wood Origin and Legality(Appendix B of Code of Conduct) only if the Q-WEB members request them.
Remediation procedure
Members could eventually ask their suppliers to submit all documents described in theQ-WEB Policy on Wood Origin and Legality (Appendix B of Code of Conduct).
Future perspectives
By introducing its auditing and traceability system, Q-WEB has taken a major step todemonstrate its commitment to counter illegal logging and illegal trade. Based on market
demands (customers and public administrations) members could eventually decided to
trace their wood all the way back to the forest of origin.
Web sitewww.quebecwoodexport.com
Contact
Carl-Éric Guertin, Responsible Trade Manager, Quebec Wood Export Bureau (Q-WEB)
ceguertin@quebecwoodexport.com