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Meeting legality and Sustainability goals through Forest Certification

International Conference on Independent Forest Monitoring in Ghana Sandra Razanamandranto

Angie Hill Hotel - Accra, Ghana 10 - 11 May 2017

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AGENDA

• Overview of Rainforest Alliance Certification
• Forest Certification standards (legality and Sustainability

standards)

• How Forest Certification addresses Sustainability and legality

goals

• Place of Private Forest Certification within FLEGT/VPA and EUTR

process

Overview of Rainforest Alliance Certification

What is the Rainforest Alliance?

• We are an international nonprofit organization, based in New York and

established in 1987.

• We work to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by

transforming…

Consumer behavior

Business practices Land use practices

Who we are: What is RA-Cert?

RA-Cert is the auditing and certification division of the Rainforest Alliance. It combines all of Rainforest Alliance’s auditing certification, verification and validation activities in the areas of forestry, agriculture and carbon/climate.

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About 90 total staff 20 offices worldwide More than 100 countries worldwide 1,9 million ha farms SAN certified More than 60 different commodities 39 million ha under FSC certification

▪ About 90 total staff ▪ 20 offices worldwide ▪ More than 100 countries worldwide ▪ More than 60 different commodities

Overview of RA-Cert worldwide

Achievement of RA-Cert worldwide

40.3% of Africa certified forest 21% of the world FSC certified forest 39 million ha under FSC certification

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Scope of RA-Cert Africa

• Currently in 21 countries
• More than 25 different products certified:

Ibiscus, Cocoa, Banana, Mango, Tea, Curmeric, Pepper, Flower, Macadamia, Camomille, Pepermint, Green Bean, Vanilia, Basil, Coriander, Dill, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Savory, Thyme, Timber, Rubber, Palm oil…

Forest Certification standards

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Some definitions: Legality VS Sustainability

Legality: “The quality or state of being in accordance with the law”. Legality aims to eliminate illegal logging and improve forest governance. Sustainability: a) “The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level” b) “Avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance”. Where does Forest Certification falls in these definitions?

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What is Forest Certification?

“A forest monitoring and tracking process that leads to the issuing of a certificate by an independent party, which verifies that an area of forest is managed to a defined standard”. Forest Certification initially aimed to protect of natural forests that are under threat, to generate benefits for local communities and to prevent harm to the vulnerable populations. Study done by Defra* proved that Forest Certification Schemes such as FSC and PEFC meet with 100% of legality criteria and 90% of Sustainability criteria.

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Role of a CB

Certification is a SERVICE provided to CLIENTS. Why do our clients seek Sustainability or legality certification?

• Access to Market,
• Access to fund,
• Image,

How do we prove that your timber comes from legal and Sustainable Sources?

• Via third party independent private certification (CoC from forest till end

user),

• Via all form of credible evidence other than private certification.

Are we talking about Acceptable wood? Sustainable wood? Legal wood? Controlled wood? Certified wood? Verified wood? For who this terminology is important?

Rainforest Alliance’s certification process

Internal control External control

Continuous internal and external control of our work

How Forest Certification addresses Sustainability and legality goals

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Content of Forest Legality standards

Based on International Policies/Traitees, based on national legal instruments such as Forest Law, Environmental Law, Labor Law, Land tenure Law, Agriculture Law, Trade Law etc…

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• Legal right to harvest

Land tenure and management rights, Concession licenses, Management and harvesting planning, Harvesting permits.

• Taxes and fees

Payment of royalties and harvesting fees, Value added taxes and other sales taxes

• Timber harvesting

Timber harvesting regulations, Protected sites and species, Environmental requirements, Health and safety, Legal employment,

• Third parties´ rights

Customary rights, FPIC, Indigenous people’s rights.

• Trade and transport

Classification of species, quantities and qualities, Trade and transport, Offshore trading and transfer pricing, Custom regulations, Export taxes and duties, CITES

Content of Forest Legality standards

Content of sustainability standards

Comply with international, national and local laws and FSC Principles Comply with tenure and use rights and responsibilities Respect Indigenous Peoples rights Maintain community relations and workers rights Generate multiple benefits from the forest Manage and limit environmental impact Compile and follow a management plan Monitor and assess forest management impact Maintain High Conservation Value forests Ensure that plantations comply with FSC principles

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Does FSC addressed Sustainability and Legal issues?

Place of Private Forest Certification within FLEGT/VPA and EUTR process

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Private Forest Certification FLEGT/VPA Address sustainability issues as well as legality issues Focus on legality and fight against illegal logging Voluntary approach Voluntary at country level but compulsory for all that wish to reach EU Markets Marketing tool Condition to access market Label certifies a Forest Management FLEGT licenses is for timber Independent private accreditation system Frequency of audits once a year Frequency of audit depending on country Developed with participatory approach from main stakeholders Public reports If non conformity, “illegal timber” is not confiscated If non conformity, “illegal timber” is confiscated Audit done by independent party Cost to be bear by companies? Based on International Forest Policies

Place of Private Forest Certification within FLEGT/VPA process

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APV/Due diligence within EUTR

APV for producers, EUTR for buyers in Europe. FLEGT licenses recognize FSC Schemes in Cameroon, Republic of Congo. Private forest certification schemes not recognized by EUTR, however can be used as a tool to address due diligence as FSC PCI do have a risk analysis system.

www.rainforest-alliance.org

Merci!