From:Packaging News

The Indonesia-EU anti-illegal logging timber trade deal has come into effect.

The FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade) licensing scheme deal is largely an anti-illegal logging measure focused primarily on hardwoods and furniture, it means that imports of paper and packaging originating from Indonesia will now be automatically compliant with the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR).

Aida Greenbury, managing director sustainability for Asia Pulp & Paper Group (APP), said it was a historic moment as Indonesia becomes the first country in the world to demonstrate its success in tackling illegal logging in building its timber industry through the new FLEGT licences.

“Now we look forward to working with the Government of Indonesia to build sustainable, successful timber businesses across Indonesia. Indonesia’s FLEGT-licences and the Indonesian SVLK system that underpins them have built capacity and capabilities across Indonesia and form the ideal bedrock to build more sustainable practice. As nations around the world from Japan to Australia look to tackle illegal logging, Indonesia will benefit from major first-mover advantage for buyers looking for legal products”.

The FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade) Licence automatically meets the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation, which prohibits operators in the EU from placing illegally harvested timber and products derived from illegal timber on the EU market.
Importers of FLEGT-licensed timber products can place their imports on the EU market without the need to conduct further due diligence.

The FLEGT licensing scheme is the first of its kind in the world, and is the result of a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between Indonesia and the EU.
The VPA parties expect FLEGT licensing to increase trade in legal, licensed timber whilst helping to close the EU market to unlicensed products.

“By addressing legality and meeting the EU’s high standards, we can not only trade responsibly but also ensure our forests support sustainable development, improve livelihoods and help address climate change,” said Putera Parthama, director general of sustainable management of production forest at Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Vincent Guérend, the EU Ambassador to Indonesia, said the FLEGT licensing scheme has come about through constructive dialogue among Indonesia’s government, private sector and civil society.

“Indonesia has shown true leadership and now sets a high standard for other countries to emulate. We look forward to receiving the first shipments of verified legal, FLEGT-licensed timber, which Indonesia exported today.”