Towards improved forestry performance: evaluating the added value of the timber legality assurance system in Indonesia

S Astana,G Hardiyanto,A Sukanda,W.F Riva,H Komarudin

doi:10.1505/146554820828671517

S Astana, G Hardiyanto + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1505/146554820828671517

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Abstract

Indonesia is a main tropical timber-producing country and is a leader in implementing Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreements (FLEGT-VPA) with the European Union (EU). In 2015, as a part of the FLEGT-VPA process, the government began a timber legality assurance system called Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu (SVLK), which is mandatory for all timber product businesses. Since November 2016, Indonesia has issued FLEGT licenses for timber products exported to the EU. This study shows that the SVLK scheme has added value for the public in controlling timber legality, eradicating illegal logging and illegal timber trading, enhancing sustainable forest management and contributing to legal timber trading. The scheme also has added value in providing legal certainty for businesses. However, it contributes less to product marketing and its use as a standard to assess sustainable forest management needs to be evaluated.

Highlights

Indonesia is a leading tropical-timber-producing country and it seeks to increase the confidence of timber buyers in the legality of its timber products
A partnership between the Government of Indonesia and the European Union agreed in September 2013 (Jakarta Post 2013) signified international recognition of the Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu (SVLK) as a timber legality assurance system
After the FLEGT-VPA ratification came into force on 15 November 2016, this was no longer required: Indonesia could issue FLEGT licenses for verified legal timber products exported to the European Union (EU).1

Summary

SUMMARY

Indonesia is a main tropical timber-producing country and is a leader in implementing Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreements (FLEGT-VPA) with the European Union (EU). In 2015, as a part of the FLEGT-VPA process, the government began a timber legality assurance system called Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu (SVLK), which is mandatory for all timber product businesses. Hacia un mejor desempeño forestal: evaluación del valor añadido del sistema de verificación garantías de la madera en Indonesia. En 2015, como parte del proceso AVA-FLEGT, el gobierno comenzó a establecer su propio sistema de verificación de garantías de la madera denominado Sistem Verifikasi Legalitas Kayu (SVLK). Este artículo muestra que el esquema SVLK tiene un valor añadido para el público en el control de la legalidad de la madera, la erradicación de la tala ilegal y el comercio ilegal de madera, la mejora de la gestión forestal sostenible y la contribución al comercio legal de madera. El sistema tiene menos valor añadido en la comercialización de los productos y es necesario evaluar su estándar para la evaluación de la gestión forestal sostenible

BACKGROUND

FSC-FM scheme

FSC scheme

Findings

Conclusions