[pic] | EUROPEAN COMMISSION |

Brussels, 28.7.2010

COM(2010)406 final

2010/0217 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on 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)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT)[1], endorsed by the Council in 2003[2], proposes a set of measures that include support for timber-producing countries, multilateral collaboration to tackle trade in illegal timber, support for private sector initiatives and measures to stop investment in activities that encourage illegal logging. The cornerstone of the Action Plan is the establishment of FLEGT partnerships between the European Union and timber-producing countries with the aim of stopping illegal logging. In 2005 the Council adopted Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005[3] which establishes a licensing scheme and a mechanism to verify the legality of timber imports into the European Union.

In December 2005 the Council issued directives instructing the Commission to negotiate partnership agreements with timber-producing countries in order to implement the EU FLEGT Action Plan and, in particular, to encourage trade in verified legal timber imports into the European Union from such partner countries[4]. The partnership agreement with Cameroon is the third of its kind to be negotiated, after agreements with Ghana and the Republic of Congo.

The Commission entered into negotiations with Cameroon in November 2007. Negotiations have proceeded since then and included four face–to-face sessions and sixteen technical sessions via video-conference. Throughout the negotiations, the Commission has been assisted by a number of Member States. The Commission has kept the Council updated on progress throughout the period, with regular reports to the Working Party on Forests and to EU Heads of Mission and representatives based in Cameroon. After each negotiation session the parties held public meetings to keep stakeholders informed of progress with the talks. In addition, Cameroon adopted a highly participatory approach involving civil society and the private sector in the development of the agreement.

The Agreement addresses all the elements contained in the Council negotiating directives. In particular, the Agreement establishes the framework, institutions and systems for the FLEGT licensing scheme. It outlines the supply chain controls, legal compliance framework and independent audit requirements for the system. These are set out in annexes to the Agreement which provide a detailed description of the structures that will underpin the assurance of legality offered by the issuance of a FLEGT licence. Cameroon developed its definition of the applicable legislation by means of extensive stakeholder consultations. It includes laws and regulations granting rights to harvest, forest management, environmental, business and labour legislation, fiscal requirements, respect for tenure and use rights of nearby communities and other social obligations laid down in forest laws, as well as regulations governing commercial activity and export trade requirements.

The Agreement goes beyond the limited product coverage proposed in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 (‘the FLEGT Regulation’) to cover trade in all timber products and, in doing so, commits Cameroon to building a system that will provide assurance to the European Union that all forest products from Cameroon are legally harvested and produced and contributing positively and sustainably to Cameroon’s growth.

The Agreement provides for controls on imports at the European Union’s borders, as established by the FLEGT Regulation and the associated Implementing Regulation (EC) No 1024/2008. The Agreement includes a description of the Cameroon FLEGT licence which adopts the format laid down in the Implementing Regulation.

The Agreement establishes the mechanism for dialogue and cooperation on FLEGT with the European Union, in the form of the Joint Implementation Council and a consultative body known as the Joint Monitoring Committee. It also establishes the principles of stakeholder participation, social safeguards and transparency for monitoring impacts and reporting.

The Agreement sets out a time frame and the procedures for entry into force of the Agreement and for implementing the licensing scheme. Since Cameroon will upgrade and redesign its regulatory and information management system, introduce more comprehensive supply chain controls and establish independent verification of legal compliance, it will take several years to develop and test the new systems and to build capacity on the part of the government, civil society and the private sector for the tasks envisaged. The FLEGT licence scheme is expected to be fully operational by the beginning of 2012. The licence scheme will be assessed against defined criteria before the EU begins accepting FLEGT licences. The steps and process for this are defined in the Agreement and its annexes.

2010/0217 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on 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)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the first subparagraphs of Article 207(3) and (4), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) and Article 218(7) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament[5],

Whereas:

(1) In May 2003 the European Commission published an EU Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT)[6] which called for measures to address illegal logging through the development of voluntary partnership agreements with timber-producing countries. Council conclusions on that Action Plan were adopted in October 2003[7] and Parliament adopted a resolution on the subject on 11 July 2005[8].

(2) In accordance with Council Decision 2010/XXX of […][9], 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 was signed on […], subject to its conclusion at a later date.

(3) The Agreement should be concluded,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The 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.

Article 2

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.

Article 3

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 as members of the Union delegation.

Article 4

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 Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005, to approve such amendments on the Union’s behalf.

Article 5

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.

Article 6

This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal of the European Union .

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

ANNEX 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)[10]

THE EUROPEAN UNION, of the one part,

AND THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON, hereinafter referred to ‘Cameroon’

of the other part,

hereinafter referred to together as ‘ the Parties’ ,

HAVING REGARD TO the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part, signed in Cotonou (Benin) on 23 June 2000[11], revised in Luxembourg on 23 June 2005, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Cotonou Agreement’,

HAVING REGARD TO the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and in particular the requirement that CITES export permits issued by the Parties for specimens of species listed in Annex I, II or III be granted only under certain conditions, including that such specimens were not obtained in contravention of the laws of that State for the protection of fauna and flora,

HAVING REGARD TO the forest legislation in force in Cameroon, and in particular the Forest Code and the other relevant legislation applicable to the forestry sector,

HAVING REGARD TO 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[12],

CONSIDERING the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on an EU Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT)[13] is a first step towards tackling the urgent issue of illegal logging and associated trade,

CONSIDERING the Ministers' Yaoundé Declaration on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance of 16 October 2003,

CONSIDERING the joint declaration of 28 September 2007 signed in Yaoundé between Cameroon and the European Commission on the negotiation of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement under the FLEGT initiative,

CONSIDERING the Non-Legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the management, conservation and sustainable logging of all types of forests adopted on 14 August 1994, and the adoption on 31 January 2008 by the United Nations General Assembly of the Non Legally Binding Instrument on all types of forest[14],

CONSIDERING the principles set out in the Paris Declaration on Development Aid Effectiveness adopted by the High-Level Forum of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) in Paris on 2 March 2005, reinforced by the Accra Agenda for Action of September 2008 and reaffirmed by the Parties,

CONSIDERING the importance attached by the Parties to development objectives agreed at international level and to the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations,

AWARE of the importance of principles set out in the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in the context of the safeguarding and sustainable management of forests, and in particular of Principle 10 concerning the importance of public awareness and participation in environmental issues and of Principle 22 concerning the vital role of indigenous people and other local communities in environmental management and development,

RESOLVED to seek to minimise any adverse impacts on indigenous and local communities and poor people which may arise as a direct consequence of implementing this Agreement,

REAFFIRMING the importance attached by the Parties to the principles and rules which govern the multilateral exchange systems, in particular the rights and obligations laid down in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 and in the other multilateral agreements in Annex IA of the Marrakesh Agreement of 15 April 1994 establishing the World Trade Organisation, and the need to apply them,

CONSIDERING the constant efforts made by Cameroon to generally promote sustainable management of forests and wildlife throughout the entire national territory and in particular to ensure the legality of all timber flows,

CONSIDERING the importance attached by the Parties to the participation of civil society, the private sector and the resident local population, including indigenous peoples, in the success of forest governance policies, in particular through consultations and public information,

HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Definitions

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[15] 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[16];

d) ‘Release for free circulation’ : a European Union customs procedure which confers the customs status of European Union goods on goods which are not from the European Union (Regulation (EC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code refers), 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 European 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 European 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.

Article 2

Objective

1. The objective of this Agreement is to provide a legal framework aimed at ensuring that all imports into the European 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.

Article 3

Scope

This Agreement applies to all timber and derived products that come under the FLEGT licence scheme and are listed in Annex I-A.

Article 4

FLEGT licensing scheme

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 European Union have been legally produced or acquired. The European Union shall accept such shipments from Cameroon for import into the European Union only if they are covered by 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.

Article 5

Licensing authority

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 European 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 will document and make publicly available its procedures for issuing FLEGT licenses.

Article 6

Competent authorities of the European Union

1. The European Commission shall inform Cameroon of the contact details of the competent authorities designated by the Member States of the European 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 European Union. The procedures governing the release for free circulation in the European 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 European 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, as the FLEGT licence also attests to the fact that the timber in question has been legally produced or acquired.

Article 7

FLEGT licences

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.

Article 8

Timber legally produced or acquired

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.

Article 9

Verifying the legality of the timber produced or acquired

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 European 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 European 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 European Union and sold on the domestic markets, and of imported timber and derived products.

Article 10

Consultation on the regularity of FLEGT licences

1. In the event of the presumed irregularity of a FLEGT licence, the competent authority in question must 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.

Article 11

Independent auditor

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 shall engage the services of this independent auditor after consulting the European Union.

3. The independent auditor shall submit his observations to the Parties in reports in accordance with 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.

Article 12

Exchanges of information in relation to the functioning of the FLEGT scheme

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 European Union with which Cameroon maintains commercial relations shall not constitute cases of circumvention within the meaning of this Article.

Article 13

Date of introduction of the FLEGT licensing scheme

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.

Article 14

Schedule for implementation of the Agreement

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.

Article 15

Supporting measures

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 European 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 European 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 European Union aid, as set out in the Cotonou Agreement, and to those governing the bilateral aid given to Cameroon by each of the European Union's Member States, 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 will finance the activities referred to in paragraph 5, within the context and logic of the Forest and Environment Sector Programme

Article 16

Participation of the stakeholders concerned in the implementation of the Agreement

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 procedures for setting up a National Monitoring Committee and the respective roles of the various Cameroon stakeholders in the implementation of the Agreement are described, inter alia , in Annexes III-A, III-B and X.

3. The European 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 Community law.

Article 17

Social, economic and environment safeguards for local and indigenous communities

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.

Article 18

Market-related incentives

Access to the European 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:

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) promotion of FLEGT-licensed timber and derived products on the European market;

c) promotion at international level of the legality assurance scheme set up under this Agreement.

Article 19

Institutional implementation apparatus

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.

Article 20

Communication on implementation of the Agreement

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 European 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.

Article 21

Published information

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 European 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.

Article 22

Confidential information

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 the 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 European Union and the volume of timber and derived products exported from Cameroon and received by the European Union;

b) the names and addresses of FLEGT licence holders and importers.

Article 23

Territorial application

This Agreement shall apply to the territory in which the Treaty establishing the European Union is applied under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, on the one hand, and to the territory of Cameroon, on the other.

Article 24

Dispute-settlement

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 European Union and its Member States, of the one, and Central Africa (Cameroon), of the other part.

Article 25

Suspension

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.

Article 26

Annexes

The Annexes shall form an integral part of this Agreement.

Article 27

Duration and renewal

With effect from its entry into force, this Agreement shall remain in force for a period of seven (7) years, and shall be renewable by tacit agreement between the Parties for periods of the same length, unless one Party terminates the Agreement by notifying the other Party of its decision at least twelve (12) months before expiry of the period under way.

Article 28

Denunciation of the Agreement

Notwithstanding Article 27, either Party may denounce this Agreement by notifying the other Party. This Agreement shall cease to apply twelve (12) months after the date of such notification.

Article 29

Amendments

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 three (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 the provisions of 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.

Article 30

Authentic texts

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 of interpretation, the French text shall prevail over the other language texts.

Article 31

Entry into force

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.

List of Annexes

Annex I-A+-B | A- List of products subject to FLEGT licensing B- List of products prohibited from export |

Annex II | Legality matrices |

Annex III-A+-B | A- Legality Assurance System B- Institutional framework of the Legality Assurance System |

Annex IV | Conditions governing the release for free circulation in the European Union of timber and derived products exported from Cameroon and accompanied by a FLEGT licence |

Annex V | Requirements for issuing FLEGT licenses |

Annex VI | Terms of reference for the independent audit of the Legality Assurance System |

Annex VII | Published information |

Annex VIII | Criteria for evaluation of the Legality Assurance System. |

Annex IX | Schedule for implementation of the Agreement |

Annex X | Supporting measures and financing mechanisms |

Annex XI | Joint Monitoring Committee |

ANNEX I-A

List of products subject to FLEGT licensing

The following products are subject to FLEGT licensing

PRODUCTS | HS CODES |

WOOD IN THE ROUGH, WHETHER OR NOT STRIPPED OF BARK OR SAPWOOD, OR ROUGHLY SQUARED | 4403 |

RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY SLEEPERS (CROSS-TIES) OF WOOD | 4406 |

WOOD SAWN OR CHIPPED LENGTHWISE, SLICED OR PEELED, WHETHER OR NOT PLANED, SANDED OR FINGER-JOINTED, OF A THICKNESS EXCEEDING 6 MM. | 4407 |

SHEETS FOR VENEERING (INCLUDING THOSE OBTAINED BY SLICING LAMINATED WOOD), FOR PLYWOOD OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR LAMINATED WOOD AND OTHER WOOD SAWN LENGTHWISE, SLICED OR PEELED, WHETHER OR NOT PLANED, SANDED, SPLICED OR END-JOINTED, OF A THICKNESS NOT EXCEEDING 6 MM | 4408 |

PLYWOOD, VENEERED PANELS AND SIMILAR LAMINATED WOOD | 4412 |

TOOLS, TOOL BODIES, TOOL HANDLES, BROOM OR BRUSH BODIES AND HANDLES, IN WOOD; BOOT OR SHOE LASTS AND TREES OF WOOD | 4417 |

WOODEN FURNITURE OF A KIND USED IN OFFICES | 9403 30 |

WOODEN FURNITURE OF A KIND USED IN KITCHENS | 9403 40 |

WOODEN FURNITURE OF A KIND USED IN THE BEDROOM | 9403 50 |

OTHER WOODEN FURNITURE | 9403 60 |

By way of illustration, the products and species concerned are described in detail below, subject to the Cameroon Party to the Agreement adapting the CEMAC customs tariff to the code of the Harmonised System (HS) of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), which classes sawn sapelli and iroko under codes 4407 27 and 4407 28 respectively. The products and species may be modified as the market develops, without the need to amend the Agreement.

PRODUCTS | CEMAC CODES |

SPECIAL PRODUCTS |

EBONY | 44 07 29 15 |

LOGS | 44 03 49 00 |

CATEGORY 1 PROMOTION SPECIES |

BILINGA | 44 03 49 09 |

FRAMIRÉ | 44 03 49 17 |

KOSSIPO | 44 03 49 21 |

KOTIBÉ | 44 03 49 22 |

LIMBA | 44 03 49 24 |

AYOUS/OBÉCHÉ | 44 03 49 46 |

AZOBÉ | 44 03 49 47 |

KOTO | 44 03 49 75 |

OKOUMÉ | 44 03 49 88 |

TALI | 44 03 49 94 |

TIAMA | 44 03 49 95 |

CATEGORY 2 PROMOTION SPECIES |

ABURA/BAHIA | 44 03 49 01 |

AKO | 44 03 49 05 |

ANDOUNG | 44 03 49 06 |

AVODIRE | 44 03 49 07 |

DABÉMA | 44 03 49 12 |

NIOVÉ | 44 03 49 30 |

OLON | 44 03 49 31 |

OVOGA/ANGALÉ | 44 03 49 32 |

OZIGO | 44 03 49 33 |

TCHITOLA | 44 03 49 36 |

ABALÉ/ ABING | 44 03 49 39 |

OKAN/ADOUM | 44 03 49 40 |

AMVOUT/ EKONG | 44 03 49 41 |

ASILA/OMANG | 44 03 49 45 |

BODIOA | 44 03 49 48 |

CORDIA/EBE/MUKUMARI | 44 0349 49 |

DAMBALA | 44 03 49 50 |

DIANA/CELTIS/ODOU | 44 03 49 51 |

EBIARA/ABEM | 44 03 49 53 |

EKABA | 44 03 49 54 |

EKOP EVENE/EVENE | 44 03 49 56 |

GOMBÉ/EKOP GOMBÉ | 44 03 49 57 |

NAGA/EKOP NAGA | 44 03 49 58 |

EMIEN/EKOUK | 44 03 49 59 |

ESSAK | 44 03 49 60 |

ESENG/LO | 44 03 49 61 |

ESSESSANG | 44 03 49 62 |

ESSON | 44 03 49 63 |

ETIMOE | 44 03 49 64 |

EVEUS/NGON | 44 03 49 65 |

EVOULA/VITEX | 44 03 49 66 |

EYECK | 44 03 49 67 |

FARO | 44 03 49 68 |

IATANGA/EVOUVOUS | 44 03 49 69 |

KANDA | 44 03 49 72 |

KAPOKIER/BOMBAX/ESODUM | 44 03 49 73 |

KONDROTI/OVONGA | 44 03 49 74 |

KUMBI/OKOA | 44 03 49 76 |

LANDA | 44 03 49 77 |

LATI/EDJIL | 44 03 49 78 |

LIMBALI | 44 03 49 79 |

LOTOFA/NKANANG | 44 03 49 81 |

MAMBODÉ/AMOUK | 44 03 49 82 |

MOAMBÉ | 44 03 49 84 |

MUKULUNGU | 44 03 49 85 |

MUTUNDO | 44 03 49 86 |

OBOTO/ABODZOK | 44 03 49 87 |

OZANBILI/ANGONGUI | 44 03 49 89 |

OSANGA/SIKON | 44 03 49 90 |

OUOCHI/ALBIZIA/ANGOYEME | 44 03 49 91 |

TSANYA/AKELA | 44 03 49 97 |

OTHER TROPICAL WOODS (AGBA, EKOUNE, ALUMBI, MIAMA ETC.) | 44 03 49 99 |

RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY SLEEPERS (CROSS-TIES) OF WOOD | 44 06 |

SAWN PRODUCTS | 44 07 29 00 |

ABURA/BAHIA | 44 07 29 01 |

ACAJOU | 44 07 29 02 |

AFROMOSIA | 44 07 29 03 |

AIELE | 44 07 29 04 |

AKO | 44 07 29 05 |

ANDOUNG | 44 07 29 06 |

AVODIRE | 44 07 29 07 |

BETÉ | 44 07 29 08 |

BILINGA | 44 07 29 09 |

BOSSÉ | 44 07 29 10 |

BUBINGA | 44 07 29 11 |

DABÉMA | 44 07 29 12 |

DOUKA | 44 07 29 13 |

DOUSSIÉ | 44 07 29 14 |

EBONY | 44 07 29 15 |

EYONG | 44 07 29 16 |

FRAMIRÉ | 44 07 29 17 |

FROMAGER | 44 07 29 18 |

IGAGANGA | 44 07 29 19 |

IZOMBÉ | 44 07 29 20 |

KOSSIPO | 44 07 29 21 |

KOTIBÉ | 44 07 29 22 |

KODRODUS | 44 07 29 23 |

LIMBA | 44 07 29 24 |

MOABI | 44 07 29 25 |

MOVINGUI | 44 07 29 26 |

MUTÉNYÉ | 44 07 29 27 |

NIANGON | 44 07 29 28 |

NIOVÉ | 44 07 29 29 |

OLON | 44 07 29 30 |

OVOGA | 44 07 29 31 |

OZIGO | 44 07 29 32 |

PADOUK | 44 07 29 33 |

PAO ROSA | 44 07 29 34 |

TCHITOLA | 44 07 29 35 |

TOLA | 44 07 29 36 |

ZINGANA | 44 07 29 37 |

ABALÉ/ABING | 44 07 29 38 |

AKAN OR ADOUM | 44 07 29 39 |

AMVOUT OR EKONG | 44 07 29 40 |

ANGUEUK | 44 07 29 41 |

ANINGRÉ | 44 07 29 42 |

APA/PASCHILOBA | 44 07 29 43 |

ASILA/OMANG | 44 07 29 44 |

AYOUS/OBÉCHÉ | 44 07 29 45 |

AZOBÉ | 44 07 29 46 |

BODIOA | 44 07 29 47 |

CORDIA/EBE/MUKUMARI | 44 0729 48 |

DAMBALA | 44 07 29 49 |

DIANA/CELTIS/ODOU | 44 07 29 50 |

DIBETOU | 44 07 29 12 |

EBIARA/ABEM | 44 07 29 52 |

EKABA | 44 07 29 53 |

EKONE | 44 07 29 54 |

EKOP EVENE | 44 07 29 55 |

EKOP GOMBÉ MAMELLE | 44 07 29 56 |

EKOP NAGA | 44 07 29 57 |

EMIEN/EKOUK | 44 07 29 58 |

ESSAK | 44 07 29 59 |

ESENG/LO | 44 0729 60 |

ESSESSANG | 44 07 29 61 |

ESSON | 44 07 29 62 |

ETIMBÉ | 44 07 29 63 |

EVEUSS/GON | 44 07 29 64 |

EVOULA/VITEX | 44 07 29 65 |

EYECK | 44 07 29 66 |

FARO | 44 07 29 67 |

IATANDZA/EVOUVOUS | 44 07 29 68 |

ALOMBA | 44 07 29 69 |

IROKO | 44 07 29 70 |

KANDA | 44 07 29 71 |

KAPOKIER/BOMBAX | 44 07 29 72 |

KONDROTI/OVONGA | 44 07 29 73 |

KOTO | 44 07 29 74 |

KUMBI/EKOS | 44 07 29 75 |

LANDA | 44 07 29 76 |

LATI/EDJIL | 44 07 29 77 |

LIMBALI | 44 07 29 78 |

LONGHI | 44 07 29 79 |

LOTOFA/NKANANG | 44 07 29 80 |

MAMBODE/AMOUK | 44 07 29 81 |

MANSONIA | 44 07 29 82 |

YELLOW MOAMBÉ | 44 07 29 83 |

MUKULUNGU | 44 07 29 84 |

MUTUNDO | 44 07 29 85 |

OBOTO/ABODZOK | 44 07 29 86 |

OKOUMÉ | 44 07 29 87 |

ONZABILI/ANGONGUI | 44 07 29 88 |

OSANGA/SIKON | 44 07 29 89 |

OUOCHI/ALBIZIA | 44 07 29 90 |

OVANGKOL | 44 07 29 91 |

SAPELLI | 44 07 29 92 |

SIPO | 44 07 29 93 |

TALI | 44 07 29 94 |

TIAMA | 44 07 29 95 |

TSANGA/AKELA | 44 07 29 96 |

WENGUÉ | 44 07 29 97 |

OTHER TROPICAL WOODS | 44 07 29 98 |

PARQUETS | 44 09 20 00 |

VENEERS | 44 08 39 00 |

PLYWOOD | 44 12 13 00 |

FINISHED TIMBER AND DERIVED PRODUCTS | 94 03 30 00 |

94 03 40 00 |

94 03 50 00 |

94 03 60 00 |

44 17 00 00 |

ANNEX I-B

List of products prohibited from export

PRODUCTS | CEMAC CODES |

LOGS |

ACAJOU | 44 03 49 02 |

AFROMOSIA | 44 03 49 03 |

BÉTÉ/MANSONIA | 44 03 49 08 |

BOSSÉ | 44 03 49 10 |

BUBINGA | 44 03 49 11 |

DOUKA | 44 03 49 13 |

RED DOUSSIÉ | 44 03 49 14 |

FROMAGER | 44 03 49 18 |

MOABI | 44 03 49 26 |

MOVINGUI | 44 03 49 27 |

PADOUK | 44 03 49 34 |

PAO ROSA | 44 03 49 35 |

ZINGANA | 44 03 49 38 |

APA OR WHITE DOUSSIE | 44 03 49 44 |

ANINGRÉ | 44 03 49 43 |

DIBÉTOU | 44 03 49 52 |

ILOMBA | 44 03 49 70 |

IROKO | 44 03 49 71 |

LONGHI/ABAM | 44 03 49 80 |

OVANGKOL | 44 03 49 92 |

SAPELLI | 44 03 49 93 |

SIPO | 44 03 49 94 |

WENGUÉ | 44 03 49 98 |

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[17] of 25 May 2001 laying down the procedures for implementing the DFP[18] 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[19] of 8 March 2005 on the categories subject to EIEs[20];

- the various annual finance laws;

- the Employment Code, Law No 92-007 of 14 August 1992;

- the legislation governing social security[21];

- the phytosanitary regulations (MINADER[22]);

- 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[23], REM[24], TRAFFIC[25], CoC[26], FSC[27] etc.)

- the PROFOREST proposal[28] of 6 September 2005 relating to traceability;

- the ‘FLEGT Briefing Notes’[29] 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[30] and TLTS-SGS[31] of February 2006 relating to legality;

- the report ‘Definition of legal timber according to the texts and regulations in force in Cameroon’ (GTZ/PGDRN[32] – MINFOF[33]) of 15 February 2006;

- the report ‘Legality of VPA Timber in Cameroon (comparative approach of different systems)’, GTZ document of May 2006;

- the COMIFAC[34] report (WRI[35] -UICN[36] -IFIA[37]) 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[38] OAB/OIBT[39] & 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[40] 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.

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 |

1.4.1 Subcontracting/partnership agreement 1.4.2 Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests 1.4.3 Receipt for registration of the agreement approved by the local authorities of the Ministry responsible for forests 1.4.4 Commercial register maintained at the competent court office 1.4.5 Forestry approval granted by the competent authority (logging) 1.4.6 Authority to set up and operate a first class establishment from the Ministry responsible for the industry (processing) 1.4.7 Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests (processing) 1.4.8 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 |

1.5.1 Records/files of offences published by the competent administrations 1.5.2 Register of disputes of the competent local departments 1.5.3 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 |

1.6.1 Tax patent 1.6.2 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 socio-economic studies 4.2.6 Minutes of the meeting reinstating the socio-economic 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 |

5.5.1 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 05.08.96 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%) 2.3.3 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 94/01of 20 January 1994 |

Verifiers |

2.1.1 Auction reports 2.1.1 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