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Due diligence

What is it?

In October 2010 the EU adopted a new Timber Regulation n.995/2010 to combat trade in illegally harvested timber. This is one of a number of actions under the 2003 EU Action Plan on Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT).

The regulation, applicable from 3 march 2010, counters the trade in illegally harvested timber and timber products through three key obligations:

  • it prohibits the placing on the EU market of illegally harvested timber and products derived from such timber;
  • it requires EU traders who place timber products on the EU market for the first time to exercise ‘due diligence’;
  • it requires economic operators to keep records of their suppliers and customers, to allow for the traceability of timber products.

The core of the ‘due diligence’ notion is that operators have to undertake a risk management exercise so as to minimise the risk of placing illegally harvested timber, or timber products containing illegally harvested timber, on the EU market.
The three key elements of the “due diligence system” are:

  • information: The operator must have access to information describing the timber and timber products, country of harvest, quantity, details of the supplier and information on compliance with national legislation;
  • risk assessment: the operator should assess the risk of illegal timber in his supply chain, based on the information identified above and taking into account criteria set out in the regulation;
  • risk mitigation: when the assessment shows that there is a risk of illegal timber in the supply chain that risk can be mitigated by requiring additional information and verification from his supplier.

The Regulation covers a broad range of timber products including solid wood products, flooring, plywood, pulp and paper.
The Regulation applies to both imported and domestically produced timber and timber products. Timber and timber products covered by valid FLEGT or CITES licenses are considered to comply with the requirements of the Regulation.

Scope of FLEGT is to coordinate instruments and to promote responsible agreements and be-haviours for the management of the world forests.

On 18 October 2008 was published in the Official Journal of the European Union (L. 277, 2008 October the 10th) the Regulation. 1024 of 17 October 2008 setting “modalities of application of the EC Regulation n. 2173/2005 to establish a system of licences FLEGT for imports of timber in the European Community”.

FLEGT licences/certificates could be issued only from the authorities of producer countries that have signed VPA (Voluntary Partnership Agreements) with the European Union, only after Agreements have become official by insertion of the Country in the list of Annexe I of Reg. 2173/2005.

Up today VPA have been signed with Ghana (20 November 2009), Cameroun (6 May 2010) and Republic of the Congo (17 May 2010), effect is subordinated to creation of operating regulations in the single countries.

SEFAC

Company name: Société d’Exploitation Forestière et Agricole du Cameroun
Legal status: Limited Company according Cameroon Laws
VAT number: M116700000360 F
Trade register No.: 3266 Douala

UFA 10-008

Forest concession No. 1052 is part of State forest property. It consists of Forest Management Unit UFA 10-008, forest concession has been attributed to SEFAC with final agreement No. 0052/L/MINFOF/ on 31 Dec. 2010, Decret No. 2010/3308/PM on 29 Nov. 2010. It is located in East Region, Boumba Ngoko Department, Yokadouma district, Bidjouki canton.

UFA 10-010

Forest concession No. 1053 is part of State forest property. It consists of Forest Management Unit UFA 10-010, forest concession has been attributed to SEFAC with final agreement No. 0052/L/MINFOF/ on 31 Dec. 2010, Decret No. 2010/3310/PM on 29 Nov. 2010. It is located in East Region, Boumba Ngoko Department, Moloundou district.

UFA 10-012

Forest concession No. 1016 is part of State forest property. It consists of Forest Management Unit UFA 10-012, forest concession has been attributed to SEFAC with final agreement No. 0052/L/MINFOF/ on 31 Dec. 2010, Decret No. 2010/3309/PM on 29 Nov. 2010. It is located in East Region, Boumba Ngoko Department, Moloundou district, Salapoumbé canton.

SEBAC

Company name: Société d’Exploitation Bois d’Afrique Centrale
Legal status: Limited Company according Cameroon Laws
VAT number: M039100000359 N
Trade register No.: 9562 Douala

UFA 10-009

Forest concession No. 1022 is part of State forest property. It consists of Forest Management Unit UFA 10-009, forest concession has been attributed to SEBAC with final agreement No. 2770/L/MINFOF/ on 02 Dec. 2010, Decret No. 2010/3143/PM on 16 Nov. 2010. It is located in East Region, Boumba Ngoko Department, Yokadouma and Moloundou district, Salapoumbé canton.

FILIÈRE BOIS

Company name: La Filiére Bois
Legal status: Limited Company according Cameroon Laws
VAT number: M119200000510 LN
Trade register No.: 14106 Douala

UFA 10-064

Forest concession No. 1060 is part of State forest property. It consists of Forest Management Unit UFA 10-064, forest concession has been attributed to FB with final agreement No. 1453/L/MINFOF/ on 07 May 2012, Decret No. 2012/1001/PM on 10 April 2010. UFA 10-064 is located in East Region, Boumba Ngoko Department, Moloundou district.

Certificate of origin and phytosanitary certificate

Issued for every contract/shipment

For any further documentation contact us