HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"L 92/4
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Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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 EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Union’
of the one part,
AND THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON, hereinafter referred to as ‘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 on
23 June 2000 ( 1 ), 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 to the requirement that export permits issued by the Parties to CITES 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 to 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 ( 2 );
CONSIDERING the Communication from the European Commission to the Council of the European Union and the
European Parliament on an EU Action Plan for Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) ( 3 ) as a first step
towards tackling the urgent issue of illegal logging and associated trade;
CONSIDERING the Ministers’ Yaoundé Declaration of 16 October 2003 on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance in
Africa;
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 ( 4 ),
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,
( 1 ) OJ L 317, 15.12.2000, p. 3.
( 2 ) OJ L 347, 30.12.2005, p. 1.
( 3 ) COM(2003) 251 final, 21.5.2003.
( 4 ) A/RES 62/98 of 31 January 2008.

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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:
Customs Code), 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
Article 1
down in respect of the importation of goods;
Definitions
For the purposes of this agreement, the following definitions
shall apply:
(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
(a) ‘Timber and derived products’: the products listed in Annex
Cameroon under the control of the customs authorities of
I-A;
Cameroon;
(b) ‘Timber and derived products in transit’: the timber and
derived products originating from a third country, which
(f) ‘HS code’: a four digit code as set out in the nomenclature
come under customs control in the territory of Cameroon
of the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding
and leave it in the same form, whilst retaining their origin;
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
(c) ‘Import into the European Union’: the release for free circu
Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa
lation of timber and derived products into the European
(CEMAC);
Union within the meaning of Article 79 of Regulation
(EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the
Community Customs Code
( 1 ) 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
(g) ‘FLEGT licence’: a certificate which refers to a shipment as
2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the
being legally sourced and verified in accordance with the
implementation of Council Regulation (EEC)
criteria laid down in the present Agreement;
No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs
Code ( 2 );
(h) ‘Licensing authority’: the authority designated by Cameroon
(d) ‘Release for free circulation’: a Union customs procedure
to issue and validate FLEGT licences;
which confers the customs status of Union goods on
goods which are not from the Union (with reference to
Regulation (EC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community
( 1 ) OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1.
(i) ‘Competent authorities’: the authorities designated by the
( 2 ) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.
Member States of the Union to verify FLEGT licences;

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(j) ‘Shipment’: a quantity of timber and derived products
the Union have been legally produced or acquired. The Union
covered by a FLEGT licence that is sent by a consignor or
shall accept such shipments from Cameroon for import into the
a shipper from Cameroon and is presented for release for
Union only if they are covered by those FLEGT licences.
free circulation at a customs office in the Union;
2. The
FLEGT
Licensing
Scheme
shall
apply
to
the
timber
(k) ‘Timber produced or acquired legally’: timber originating or
and derived products listed in Annex I-A. The timber and
coming from one or more production or acquisition
derived products in Annex I-B may not be exported from
processes, including imported timber, which conforms
Cameroon.
entirely to all the criteria laid down in the laws and regu
lations 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.
3. The
Parties
agree
to
take
all
measures
necessary
to
implement this FLEGT licensing scheme.
Article 2
Objective
Article 5
1. The
objective
of
this
Agreement
(hereinafter
the
‘VPA’)
is
Licensing authority
to provide a legal framework aimed at ensuring that all imports
1. Cameroon
shall
designate
its
FLEGT
licensing
authority
into the Union from Cameroon of timber and derived products
and notify the contact details of the licensing authority to the
covered by this Agreement have been legally produced or
European Commission. Both Parties shall make this information
acquired.
available to the public.
2. In
this
context,
the
Parties,
agree,
inter
alia:
2. The
licensing
authority
shall
verify
that
timber
and
derived
products have been legally produced in accordance with the
(a) to promote trade in timber and derived products;
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
(b) to establish a basis for dialogue and cooperation;
legally produced or acquired in Cameroon and are for export
to the Union.
(c) to promote the development of the forest industries in
Cameroon and to thereby improve the competitiveness of
3. The
licensing
authority
may
not
issue
FLEGT
licences
for
the sector;
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
(d) to create and encourage economic opportunities for resident
under the laws of the country concerned, or for which there is
local communities and local enterprises;
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.
(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.
4. The
licensing
authority
shall
document
and
make
publicly
available its procedures for issuing FLEGT licenses.
Article 3
Scope
Article 6
This Agreement applies to all timber and derived products that
Competent authorities of the Union
come under the FLEGT licence scheme and are listed in Annex
I-A.
1. The
European
Commission
shall
inform
Cameroon
of
the
contact details of the competent authorities designated by the
Member States of the Union and their respective territorial areas
Article 4
of competence.
FLEGT licensing scheme
1. A
Forest
Law
Enforcement,
Governance
and
Trade 2. The
competent
authorities
shall
verify
that
each
shipment
Licensing Scheme (hereinafter referred to as the ‘FLEGT
is the subject of a valid FLEGT licence prior to releasing that
licensing scheme’) is hereby established between the Parties to
shipment for free circulation in the Union. The procedures
this Agreement. It establishes a set of procedures and
governing the release for free circulation in the Union
requirements aimed at verifying and attesting, by means of
of shipments covered by a FLEGT licence are described in
FLEGT licences, that timber and derived products shipped to
Annex IV.

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3. Each
competent
authority
shall
maintain
and
publish the Union. This system for verifying legality includes
annually a record of FLEGT licences received.
compliance checks in order to provide the assurance that the
timber and derived products destined for export to the Union
have been legally produced or acquired, and that FLEGT licences
4. According
to
national
legislation
on
data
protection,
the have not been issued for shipments of timber that have not
competent authorities shall grant persons or bodies designated
been legally produced or acquired, or that are of unknown
by Cameroon as independent auditors access to the relevant
origin. The system shall also include procedures to ensure
documents and data.
that timber of illegal or unknown origin does not enter the
supply chain.
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)
2. The
system
for
verifying
the
legality
of
timber
and
derived
and covered by a FLEGT licence enter the Union, they shall only
products is described in Annex III-A.
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 ( 1 ), as the FLEGT
3. Cameroon shall verify the legality of the timber and
licence also attests to the fact that the timber in question has
derived products exported to markets outside the Union and
been legally produced or acquired.
sold on the internal markets, and of imported timber and
derived products.
Article 7
FLEGT licences
Article 10
1. FLEGT
licences
shall
be
issued
by
the
licensing
authority
Consultation on the regularity of FLEGT licences
as a means of attesting that timber and derived products have
been legally produced or acquired.
1. In the event of the presumed irregularity of a FLEGT
licence, the competent authority in question may ask the
licensing authority for additional information.
2. FLEGT
licences
shall
be
laid
out
on
a
bilingual
form
(English and French) and completed in English or French.
2. If
the
licensing
authority
fails
to
reply
within
21
calendar
days of the date of receipt of the request, or if the additional
3. The
Parties
may,
by
agreement,
establish
electronic information received confirms the irregularity, or if the details
systems for the issue, transmission and receipt of FLEGT
appearing on the FLEGT licence do not correspond to the
licenses.
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
4. FLEGT
licences
shall
be
issued
in
accordance
with
the informed.
procedures described in Annex V.
Article 8
3. If,
however,
the
additional
information
provided
by
the
licensing authority shows the FLEGT licence to be in order,
Timber legally produced or acquired
the FLEGT licence must be accepted and the procedures
described in Annex IV must be followed.
1. For the purposes of this Agreement, a definition of timber
legally produced or acquired appears in Article 1(k) and in
Annex II.
Article 11
2. Annex
II
also
sets
out
the
Cameroon
legislation
which
Independent auditor
must be complied with before a FLEGT licence may be issued.
1. The
Parties
agree
on
the
need
to
call
on
the
services
of
an
It includes ‘legality matrices’, with criteria, indicators and
independent auditor at agreed intervals to check the
verifiers enabling compliance with the law in force to be
performance and efficiency of the FLEGT licensing scheme as
established.
set out in Annex VI.
Article 9
2. Cameroon,
in
consultation
with
the
Union,
shall
engage
Verifying the legality of the timber produced or acquired
the services of this independent auditor.
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
3. The
independent
auditor
shall
submit
his
observations
to
the Parties in reports in accordance with the procedure
( 1 ) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1.
described in Annex VI.

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4. The
Parties
shall
facilitate
the
work
of
the
independent 2. The
provision
of
such
additional
resources
shall
be
subject
auditor, including by ensuring that the latter has access on
to the normal procedures of the Union and its Member States
the territory of each Party to the information necessary for
for programming aid to Cameroon and to the budgetary
the performance of his functions. However, a Party may, in
procedures of Cameroon itself.
accordance with its legislation on data protection, withhold
any information that it is not allowed to disclose.
3. The Parties shall consider the need for a joint arrangement
5. Cameroon
shall
publish
the
report
of
the
independent whereby the financing and technical contributions of the
auditor in accordance with the procedures and mechanisms
European Commission and the Member States of the Union
set out in Annexes VI and VII.
are coordinated to support these processes under the Forest
and Environment Sector Programme.
Article 12
4. Cameroon
shall
ensure
that
capacity
building
for
the
Exchanges of information in relation to the functioning of
implementation of this Agreement is included in national
the FLEGT scheme
planning instruments, the Forest and Environment Sector
1. With
the
joint
aim
of
protecting
the
integrity
and
repu
Programme and the poverty reduction strategies.
tation 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
5. The
Parties
shall
ensure
that
activities
associated
with
potential cases of fraud associated with the use or issue of
implementation of this Agreement are coordinated with the
the FLEGT licences, including for timber and derived products
relevant development initiatives, such as:
comprising timber of suspect origin from third countries, of
fraudulent or dishonest circumvention of the FLEGT licensing
scheme.
(a) local development support;
2. Exports
of
timber
and
derived
products
which
have
been
verified as legal to timber-importing countries other than those
(b) promotion of forestry sector industrialisation;
of the Union with which Cameroon maintains commercial
relations shall not constitute cases of circumvention within
the meaning of this Article.
(c) capacity building.
Article 13
Date of introduction of the FLEGT licensing scheme
6. The
provision
of
additional
resources
shall
be
subject
to
the procedures governing Union aid, as set out in the Cotonou
1. The
Parties
shall
agree
on
a
date
from
which
the
FLEGT Agreement, and to those governing the bilateral aid given to
licensing scheme shall be operational.
Cameroon by each of the Member States of the Union,
respecting the principles laid down in the Paris Declaration
on Development Aid Effectiveness in so far as the procedures
2. The launch of the issue of FLEGT licences shall be
of the donors concerned permit.. In this respect, the additional
preceded by a joint technical assessment, the objectives and
resources shall finance the activities referred to in paragraph 5,
criteria of which are set out in Annex VIII.
within the context and logic of the Forest and Environment
Sector Programme
Article 14
Schedule for implementation of the Agreement
Article 16
1. The
Parties
hereby
agree
to
the
implementation
schedule Participation of the stakeholders in the implementation of
set out in Annex IX.
the Agreement
1. Cameroon
shall
regularly
consult
Cameroon
stakeholders
2. The
Joint
Implementation
Council,
provided
for
in on the implementation of this Agreement, within a National
Article 19, working through the Joint Monitoring Committee,
Monitoring Committee or through other consultative platforms,
shall evaluate the progress of implementation in relation to the
taking into account its legislation on the forest and fauna
schedule set out in Annex IX.
scheme and all the laws and regulations in force governing
access to information, public participation and access to
justice on environmental matters.
Article 15
Supporting measures
2. The arrangements for setting up a National Monitoring
1. The
Parties
have
identified
the
areas
set
out
in
Annex
X
as Committee and the respective roles of the various Cameroon
those in which there is a need for additional technical and
stakeholders in the implementation of this Agreement are
financial resources in order to implement this Agreement.
described, inter alia, in Annexes III-A, III-B and X.

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3. The
Union
shall
hold
regular
consultations
with
the Council shall be responsible for implementing this Agreement.
European stakeholders on the implementation of this
The Council shall also:
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
(a) meet on dates mutually agreed by the Parties;
matters, and on the transposition of Union law.
(b) establish its own rules of procedure;
Article 17
(c) publish an annual report, details of the content of which are
Social, economic and environment safeguards for local and
described in Annex VII;
indigenous communities
1. In
order
to
minimise
any
potential
adverse
effects
of
the (d) ensure that the work of the JMC is transparent, and that the
FLEGT licensing scheme on the indigenous and local commu
associated information and results are accessible to the
nities concerned, the Parties hereby agree to assess the impact of
public;
this Agreement on their way of life.
(e) establish dispute-settlement procedures and help find
mutually satisfactory solutions to maintain the good
2. The
Parties
shall
monitor
in
particular
the
economic
and
functioning of this Agreement, in accordance with
environmental impact of this Agreement on those communities,
Article 24;
taking reasonable and appropriate steps to mitigate any adverse
effects.
(f) examine the amendments to the provisions of this
Agreement and adopt those relating to the Annexes, in
accordance with Article 29.
Article 18
Market-related incentives
3. Under the authority of the Council, the JMC, whose
Access to the Union market, under this Agreement, for timber
members shall be appointed by the Parties, shall monitor and
and derived products imported from Cameroon, shall be accom
evaluate the implementation of this Agreement. It shall also
panied by promotional campaigns for the timber and derived
facilitate dialogue and the exchange of information between
products in question. Such campaigns shall include:
the Parties. The JMC shall also:
(a) meet at least twice a year on the dates and at the locations
(a) the encouragement of public and private procurement
determined by the Council, and make consensus-based
policies that recognise efforts to ensure a supply of legally
recommendations for the Council;
harvested forest produce, in particular timber and derived
products;
(b) prepare the agenda for its work and terms of reference for
joint actions;
(b) the promotion of FLEGT-licensed timber and derived
products on the Union market;
(c) draw up its own rules of procedure, following their
validation by the Council;
(c) the promotion at international level of the legality assurance
(d) preside over its meetings by a co-chair arrangement;
scheme set up under this Agreement.
(e) be permitted to set up working groups or other subsidiary
bodies for areas requiring specific expertise.
Article 19
Institutional implementation apparatus
4. The
functions
of
the
JMC
are
defined
in
Annex
XI.
1. After
ratifying
this
Agreement,
the
Parties
shall
set
up
a
decision-making structure designated the ‘Joint Implementation
Article 20
Council’, hereinafter referred to as ‘the Council’, and a
consultative structure designated the ‘Joint Monitoring
Communication on implementation of the Agreement
Committee’ (JMC).
1. The
representatives
of
the
Parties
responsible
for
official
communications concerning implementation of this Agreement
shall be:
2. The
Council
shall
be
made
up
of
two
representatives,
of
whom each of the Parties shall designate one. The Parties shall
(a) for Cameroon: the Minister responsible for forests;
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
(b) for the Union: the Head of the EU Delegation in Cameroon.

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2. The
Parties
shall
communicate
to
one
another
in
a
timely 2. If
a
dispute
cannot
be
settled
through
early
consultation,
manner the information necessary for implementing this
the first requesting Party may forward details of the dispute to
Agreement.
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
Article 21
situation with a view to finding an acceptable solution. To
this end, the Council may refer the file to the JMC. The JMC
Published information
shall have a time limit set by the Council for submitting its
1. Published
information represents
one of the
basic proposed solution to the Council, which shall endeavour to
elements designed to strengthen governance during application
examine every option for keeping this Agreement working
of this Agreement. In order to achieve this objective, which is
properly.
intended to guarantee the transparent functioning of the FLEGT
licensing scheme in Cameroon and in the Union, the Parties
3.
In the event that the Council should prove unable to settle
hereby agree to use the most appropriate communication
the dispute, the Parties may:
mechanisms, namely: written and audiovisual media, Internet,
workshops and various publications. Details of the published
information are set out in Annex VII.
(a) jointly seek the good offices of a third party, or request
mediation by a third party;
2. The
Parties
also
agree
that
the
powers,
procedures
and
functioning of the Council and the JMC are to be published.
(b) if it should prove impossible to settle the dispute according
to paragraph 3(a), have recourse to arbitration.
Article 22
4. The
Council
shall
determine
the
consultation,
mediation
Confidential information
and arbitration procedures, which must correspond with those
1. Each
Party
undertakes,
within
the
limits
of
its
laws,
not
to agreed under the Economic Partnership Agreement or, in the
disclose confidential information exchanged under this
interim period, under the Stepping Stone Agreement towards an
Agreement. Neither Party shall disclose to the public, nor
Economic Partnership Agreement between the Union and its
permit its authorities involved in implementation of this
Member States, of the one part, and Central Africa (Cameroon),
Agreement to disclose, information exchanged under this
of the other part.
Agreement that constitutes trade secrets or confidential
commercial information.
Article 25
Suspension
2. Subject
to
paragraph
1,
the
following
information
shall 1. Either Party may suspend the application of this
not be considered confidential:
Agreement. The decision on suspension and the reasons for
that decision shall be notified to the other Party in writing.
(a) the number of FLEGT licences issued by Cameroon and
received by the Union and the volume of timber and
2. The
provisions
of
this
Agreement
shall
cease
to
apply
90
derived products exported from Cameroon and received
calendar days after such notice is given.
by the Union;
3. Application
of
this
Agreement
will
resume
30
calendar
(b) the names and addresses of FLEGT licence holders and of
days after the Party that has suspended its application informs
importers.
the other Party that the reasons for the suspension no longer
apply.
Article 23
Article 26
Territorial application
Annexes
This Agreement shall apply to the territory in which the Treaty
The Annexes shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
on the Functioning of the 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 27
Duration and renewal
Article 24
With effect from its entry into force, this Agreement shall
Dispute-settlement
remain in force for a period of 7 years, and shall be
renewable by tacit agreement between the Parties for periods
1. The
Parties
will
seek
to
resolve
any
dispute
concerning
the of the same length, unless one Party terminates this Agreement
application or interpretation of this Agreement through early
by notifying the other Party of its decision at least 12 months
consultation.
before expiry of the period under way.

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Article 28
4. Notification
of
any
amendment
shall
be
sent
to
the
depositaries of this Agreement and shall enter into force at
Denunciation of the Agreement
the time and in the form laid down in paragraph 2 of this
Notwithstanding Article 27, either Party may denounce this
Article.
Agreement by notifying the other Party. This Agreement shall
cease to apply 12 months after the date of such notification.
Article 30
Article 29
Authentic texts
Amendments
This Agreement is drawn up in duplicate in the Bulgarian,
1. Acting
through
its
representative
on
the
Council,
a
Party Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French,
wishing to amend this Agreement must notify the other Party
German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian,
of its proposal at least 3 months before the next meeting of the
Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian,
Spanish and Swedish languages, each of these texts being
JMC. The Council shall instruct the JMC to examine the
authentic. In case of divergence, the French text shall prevail.
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 recommen
dation, and if it approves it, shall inform the other, so that a
Article 31
date can be agreed for its signature, following which each Party
shall adopt it according to its own internal procedures.
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
2. Any
amendment
so
approved
by
both
Parties
shall
enter other in writing of the completion of the respective procedures
into force on the first day of the month following the date on
necessary for this purpose.
which the Parties notify each other of the completion of the
procedures necessary for this purpose.
2. Notification
shall
be
sent
to
the
Secretary-General
of
the
3. By way of derogation from paragraph 1 of this Article,
Council of the European Union and to Cameroon’s Minister for
and without prejudice to the examination by the JMC,
Foreign Affairs, who shall be the joint depositaries of this
amendments to the Annexes shall be adopted by the Council.
Agreement.

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L 92/12
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
Съставено в Брюксел на шести октомври две хиляди и десета година.
Hecho en Bruselas, el seis de octubre de dos mil diez.
V Bruselu dne estého íjna dva tisíce deset.
Udfrdiget i Bruxelles den sjette oktober to tusind og ti.
Geschehen zu Brüssel am sechsten Oktober zweitausendzehn.
Kahe tuhande kümnenda aasta oktoobrikuu kuuendal peval Brüsselis.
γινε στι Βρυξλλε, στι ξι Οκτωβρου δο χιλιδε δκα.
Done at Brussels on the sixth day of October in the year two thousand and ten.
Fait à Bruxelles, le six octobre deux mille dix.
Fatto a Bruxelles, addì sei ottobre duemiladieci.
Briselē, divi tūkstoi desmitā gada sestajā oktobrī.
Priimta du tūkstaniai deimt met spalio et dien Briuselyje.
Kelt Brüsszelben, a kétezer-tizedik év október hatodik napján.
Magmul fi Brussell, fis-sitt jum ta’ Ottubru tas-sena elfejn u gaxra.
Gedaan te Brussel, de zesde oktober tweeduizend tien.
Sporzdzono w Brukseli dnia szóstego padziernika roku dwa tysice dziesitego.
Feito em Bruxelas, em seis de Outubro de dois mil e dez.
ntocmit la Bruxelles la ase octombrie dou mii zece.
V Bruseli da iesteho októbra dvetisícdesa.
V Bruslju, dne estega oktobra leta dva tiso deset.
Tehty Brysseliss kuudentena pivn lokakuuta vuonna kaksituhattakymmenen.
Som skedde i Bryssel den sjtte oktober tjugohundratio.

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/13
За Европейския съюз
Por la Unión Europea
Za Evropskou unii
For Den Europiske Union
Für die Europische Union
Euroopa Liidu nimel
Για την Ευρωπακ νωση
For the European Union
Pour l’Union européenne
Per l’Unione europea
Eiropas Savienības vārdā –
Europos Sjungos vardu
Az Európai Unió részérl
Gall-Unjoni Ewropea
Voor de Europese Unie
W imieniu Unii Europejskiej
Pela Unio Europeia
Pentru Uniunea European
Za Európsku úniu
Za Evropsko unijo
Euroopan unionin puolesta
Fr Europeiska unionen
За Република Камерун
Por la República de Camerún
Za Kamerunskou republiku
For Republikken Cameroun
Für die Republik Kamerun
Kameruni Vabariigi nimel
Για τη Δημοκρατα του Καμερον
For the Republic of Cameroon
Pour la République du Cameroun
Per la Repubblica del Camerun
Kamerūnas Republikas vārdā –
Kamerūno Respublikos vardu
A Kameruni Kztársaság részérl
Gar-Repubblika tal-Kamerun
Voor de Republiek Kameroen
W imieniu Republiki Kamerunu
Pela República dos Camares
Pentru Republica Camerun
Za Kamerunskú republiku
Za Republiko Kamerun
Kamerunin tasavallan puolesta
Fr republiken Kamerun

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L 92/14
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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 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

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/15
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-
4407
jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6 mm
Sheets for veneering (including those obtained by slicing laminated wood), for plywood or for
4408
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
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
4417
and trees of wood
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

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L 92/16
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
PRODUCTS CEMAC
CODES
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 03 49 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

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/17
PRODUCTS CEMAC
CODES
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

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L 92/18
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
PRODUCTS CEMAC
CODES
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

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/19
PRODUCTS CEMAC
CODES
Bodioa
44 07 29 47
Cordia/ebe/mukumari
44 07 29 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 07 29 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

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L 92/20
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
PRODUCTS CEMAC
CODES
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
94 03 30 00
94 03 40 00
Finished timber and derived products
94 03 50 00
94 03 60 00
44 17 00 00

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/21
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

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L 92/22
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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 imple
menting 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 ( 1 ) of 25 May 2001 laying down the procedures for implementing the DFP ( 2 ) 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 ( 3 ) of 8 March 2005 on the
categories subject to EIEs ( 4 ),
— the various annual finance laws,
— the Employment Code, Law No 92-007 of 14 August 1992,
— the legislation governing social security ( 5 ),
— the phytosanitary regulations (MINADER ( 6 )),
( 1 ) Ministry of the Environment and Forests.
( 2 ) Permanent forest domain.
( 3 ) Ministry of the Environment and Nature Protection.
( 4 ) Environmental impact study.
( 5 ) See Caisse nationale de prévoyance sociale, Recueil des textes de base (1979).
( 6 ) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
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European
Union L
92/23
— 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 estab
lishing 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 ( 1 ), REM ( 2 ), TRAFFIC ( 3 ), CoC ( 4 ), FSC ( 5 )
etc.),
— the PROFOREST proposal ( 6 ) of 6 September 2005 relating to traceability,
— the ‘FLEGT Briefing Notes’ ( 7 ) 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 ( 8 ) and TLTS-SGS ( 9 ) of February 2006 relating to legality,
— the report ‘Definition of legal timber according to the texts and regulations in force in Cameroon’
(GTZ/PGDRN ( 10 ) – MINFOF ( 11 )) of 15 February 2006,
— the report ‘Legality of VPA Timber in Cameroon (comparative approach of different systems)’, GTZ document of
May 2006,
— the COMIFAC ( 12 ) report (WRI ( 13 ) -UICN ( 14 ) -IFIA ( 15 )) on the FORCOMS project phase II of February 2007,
( 1 ) Private-sector association by the name of the Tropical Forest Trust, which manages a support project to the private sector involving
checking legality (the Timber Trade Action Programme).
( 2 ) Resource Extraction Monitoring.
( 3 ) WWF traceability and legal compliance project.
( 4 ) Chain of Custody, traceability system.
( 5 ) Forest Stewardship Council.
( 6 ) Project financed by the Union.
( 7 ) Briefing note on the Union action plan on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade.
( 8 ) Legal Origin of Wood/Bureau Véritas.
( 9 ) Timber Legality and Traceability Verification/Société générale de surveillance.
( 10 ) Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (German Technical Cooperation Society)/Sustainable Natural Resources Management
Programme.
( 11 ) Ministry of Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife.
( 12 ) Central African Forest Commission.
( 13 ) World Resource Institute.
( 14 ) International Union for Conservation of Nature.
( 15 ) International Forest Industry Association.

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L 92/24
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
— the draft legal text by COMIFAC on forest control in Central Africa of October 2007,
— the PCI ( 1 ) OAB/OIBT ( 2 ) & 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 ( 3 ) 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.
Title
CE VC ARB AEB State PS PBO APC
Supply source
F. Private estate forest (FD) LM1 LM4
F. Communal forest (Cle) LM4 LM2 LM7
F. National domain forest
LM5 LM3 LM4 LM7
(FDN)
F. Community forest (FC) LM4 LM6
F. Private forest (FP)
Timber processing unit
(UTB)
LM8
( 1 ) Principles, criteria, indicators.
( 2 ) African Timber Organisation/International Tropical Timber Organisation.
( 3 ) ‘forestry entity’: any natural or legal person, community, municipality with a legal source for the production, acquisition or processing
of timber or derived products.

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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 adminis
trations, 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

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L 92/26
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
— 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

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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
1.3.1 Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2 Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3 Receipt for registration of the agreement approved by the local authorities of 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 Authority to set up and operate a first class establishment from the Ministry responsible for the industry
(processing)
1.3.7 Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests (processing)
1.3.8 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
1.4.1 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

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L 92/28
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Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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
1.5.1 Tax patent
1.5.2 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

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6.4.2011 Official
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the
European
Union L
92/29
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

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L 92/30
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Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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 trans
ported 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

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6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/31
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

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L 92/32
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Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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 socioeconomic studies
4.2.6 Minutes of the meeting reinstating the socioeconomic 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

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/33
— 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

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L 92/34
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Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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 contra
vening 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

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6.4.2011 Official
Journal
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the
European
Union L
92/35
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

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L 92/36
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
— 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

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
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the
European
Union L
92/37
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

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L 92/38
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Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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
5.1.1 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
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

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/39
— Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
— Article 17, 79, 82 of Law 96/12 of 5.8.1996 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 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

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Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
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 adminis
tration
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

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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 %)
2.3.2 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 accom
panied 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

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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

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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

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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 adminis
tration 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

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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 94/01 of 20 January 1994
Verifiers
2.1.1 Auction reports
2.1.2 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

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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 accom
panied 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 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]

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— 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
MATRIX 5: CUT TIMBER SALE (VC) IN THE NATIONAL FOREST DOMAIN
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
— 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 is the holder of a cut timber sale licence legally awarded by the administration
responsible for forests
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 57 of Law 94/01
— Articles 51(1) and (2), 58(2), (3) and (4), 60, 81, 82 and 83 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.2.1 Notice of public invitation to tender, based on respect of the pre-emptive right
1.2.2 Document from the interministerial committee selecting the forestry entity offering the highest forestry fee
1.2.3 Receipt for registration of a complete file relating to the award of cut timber sales

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1.2.4 Proof of deposit of the surety with the Public Revenue Department
1.2.5 Order awarding cut timber sale signed by the Minister responsible for forests, based on information from the
invitations to tender
1.2.6 Minutes of the information meeting, signed by the Prefect
Indicator 1.3: 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
1.3.1 Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2 Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3 Receipt for registration of the agreement approved by the local authorities of 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
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 adminis
tration
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Chapter 3 of Law 94/01
— Articles 130, 131 and 132 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
— 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

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Criterion 2: The logging forestry entity meets its logging obligations
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 produce the logging inventory
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 40(3) 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 inventory/forestry
activities
2.1.2 Service contracts with (an) approved structure(s) or a public body
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity respects the logging rules in the areas awarded
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 45 of Law 94/01
— Article 4(1), (2), (3) and (4) of Order 222
— Sheets 14 and 17 of PROC
— Logging inventory rules
— Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.2.1 Count certificate or certificate confirming respect of the Rules on activities in forest areas
Indicator 2.3: The forestry entity holds a legal harvesting licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 45(1) of Law 94/01
— Articles 17, 79, 82 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
2.3.1 Letter of approval of the terms of reference for the environmental impact audit/study
2.3.2 Environmental conformity certificate
2.3.3 Annual harvest certificate
2.3.4 Notification of the start of activities
Indicator 2.4: The forestry entity respects the authorised timber quantities (number of stems/volume) in
accordance with the requirements of the annual certificate
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 72(1) and 125(2) and (3) of Decree 95-531
— Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)

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— 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 94/01
— Article 122 of Decree 95-531
— Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
2.5.1 Certificate of registration of the bank guarantee
2.5.2 Evidence of payment (RFA, TA, all 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 forestry entity meets its obligations as regards timber transportation
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the logs produced are accompanied by all the documents and
regulatory markings 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 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

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— 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 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
— Decision No 0108/D/MINEF/CAB of 9 February 1998 applying the Rules on activities in forest areas

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— 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 all the stakeholders
4.2.4 Record/file of offences/report
Criterion 5: The logging 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
5.1.1 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
Indicator 5.2: The forestry entity has complied with the legislation relating to the studies of environmental
impact, and implements 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 Enterprise Development Centre
— Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
— Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management (Articles 17, 79
and 82)
— Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging
Verifiers

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5.2.1 Environmental inspection report
5.2.2 Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
5.2.3 Record of environmental offences
MATRIX 6: STATE LOGGING OF A COMMUNITY FOREST
Criterion 1: The logging forestry entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The community is organised in the form of a legally recognised legal entity
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 28(3) of Decree 95-531
— Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and
management rules for community forests – Version 2009’ Points 3.1, 3.2, 3.5 of the manual of procedures
— Law 90 on associations
— Law 92 on cooperatives and GICs (Communal Interest Groups)
— OHADA (Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa) uniform act on commercial
companies and general interest groups
Verifiers
1.1.1 Declaration receipt (associations)
1.1.2 Registration certificate (communal initiative groups and cooperatives)
1.1.3 Instrument of the clerk of the court (economic interest groups; EIGs)
Indicator 1.2: The community is the beneficiary of a legally awarded community forest and a management
agreement signed with the administration
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 37 and 38(1) of Law 94/01
— Articles 27(2) and (3), 28(1) and (2) and 29(1) and (2) of Decree 95-531
— Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and
management rules for community forests – Version 2009’ Points 5.1; 5.12.1; 5.13 and 5.17 of the manual of
procedures, version 2009
Verifiers
A– Provisional
management
agreement
1.2.1 Receipt for registration of a complete file relating to the award of a community forest
1.2.2 Provisional management agreement signed by the community and the competent administrative authority
B– Final
management
agreement
1.2.3 Receipt for registration of a complete PSG (Simple Management Plan) tender file for the final agreement
1.2.4 Document approving the PSG, signed by the Minister for Forestry and Wildlife

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1.2.5 Final management agreement signed by the competent administrative authority
Indicator 1.3: 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
1.3.1 Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2 Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3 Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.3.4 Forestry approval granted by the competent authority
1.3.5 Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of
Appeal
Indicator 1.4: The community is not the subject of a measeg withdrawing or suspending the existing management
agreement by the administration responsible for forests
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 38(2) and 65 of Law 94/01
— Articles 31(1) and 32(3) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.4.1 Record of offences published by the ministry responsible for forests or report on offence(s) drawn up by the
sworn agent of the Ministry responsible for forests
1.4.2 Suspension decision of the Minister responsible for forests, if applicable
1.4.3 Register of disputes of the competent local departments
Criterion 2: The logging 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 inventory work stipulated in the PSG
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 40(3) and 64 of Law 94/01
— Article 35 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers

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2.1.1 Approval of various subcontractors having been involved in certain management activities (inventories)
2.1.2 Service contracts with (an) approved structure(s) or a public body
2.1.3 Certificate of conformity of the inventory work
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity holds a legal harvesting licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 17 of Law 96/12 of 5/08/96 setting out a framework law on environmental management
— Article 20 of Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
— Article 96(2) of the Decree of 23 August 1995
— Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and
management rules for community forests – Version 2009’ Point 8.2.2.1 of the manual of procedures, version
2009
Verifiers
2.2.1 Letter of approval of the terms of reference for the environmental impact study/audit
2.2.2 Environmental conformity certificate
2.2.3 Annual logging certificate
2.2.4 Notification of the start of activities
Indicator 2.3: The forestry entity respects the logging rules in the land authorised for logging
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Logging inventory rules
— Circular 0048/LC/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC of 16 January 2009
— Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.3.1 Count certificate or certificate confirming respect of the Rules on activities in forest areas
2.3.2 Annual report on activities
Indicator 2.4: The forestry entity respects the authorised timber quantities (number of stems/volume) in
accordance with the requirements of the annual logging certificate
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 125 of Decree 95-531
— Rules on activities in forest areas (NIMF)
Verifiers
2.4.1 Worksite books (DF10) or SIGIF declaration and waybills
2.4.2 Count certificate
2.4.3 Annual report on activities

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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 transported entirely legally and
are accompanied by all the documents required and regulatory markings in order to certify their
legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 127(2) 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 and the place of loading
Criterion 4: The logging/processing forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity respects the provisions of the PSG in relation to the local communities within its
area(s) of work
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 36 of Law 94/01; Article 26(1) and (2) of the associated Decree
— Chapter II of the Rules on activities in forest areas, Articles 4 and 5
Verifiers
4.1.1 Simple management plan
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 the
population 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 the protection of biodiversity in the community forest
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
— Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and
management rules for community forests – Version 2009’ Point 8.1 of the manual
— Article 32(2) of the Decree
— Articles 78 et seq. of the Law
Verifiers

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5.1.1 Information and awareness media (posters, reports, video, cassettes etc.) and/or internal rules
5.1.2 Simple management plan
Indicator 5.2: The forestry entity has complied with the environmental legislation and implements the identified
mitigating measures
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Decree 0577 of 23 February 2005
— Articles 3 and 4 of Order 0069/MINEP of 8 March 2005
— Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
— Articles 17, 79, 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 Simple management plan
5.2.2 Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
5.2.3 Record of environmental offences
MATRIX 7: SPECIAL PERMIT (ebony logging)
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 9, 41 and 42 of Law 94/01
— Articles 35(1), 36 and 114 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
Indicator 1.2: The forestry entity is the holder of a special permit legally awarded by the administration
responsible for forests
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 86(2) and 87 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
1.2.1 Notice to the public
1.2.2 Receipt for registration of a complete file relating to the award of the special permit
1.2.3 Decision awarding the special licence, signed by the Minister responsible for forests

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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
1.3.1 Subcontracting/partnership agreement
1.3.2 Letter of approval of the subcontracting agreement, issued by the Ministry responsible for forests
1.3.3 Commercial register maintained at the competent court office
1.3.4 Forestry approval granted by the competent authority (logging)
1.3.5 Authority to set up and operate an establishment classified by the Ministry responsible for the industry
(processing)
1.3.6 Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests (processing)
Indicator 1.4: The forestry entity has not been suspended or had its approval or right withdrawn by the adminis
tration
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 150 and 152 of Law 94/01
— Articles 130, 131 and 132 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
— 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

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Criterion 2: The logging forestry entity meets its logging obligations
Indicator 2.1: The forestry entity holds a legal harvesting licence
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Sheets 2 and 3 (PROC)
— Article 88(1) and (2) of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.1.1 Special permit
Indicator 2.2: The forestry entity respects the timber quantities (tonnage/volume) awarded in accordance with the
requirements of the special permit
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 125 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.2.1 Stubs of waybills or SIGIF declaration
2.2.2 Count certificate
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 122 of Decree 95-531
— Article 86(6) 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
2.3.1 Evidence of payment of the regeneration tax for the current year and the year preceding the year of
verification
2.3.2 Terms and conditions
Criterion 3: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards the transportation of special products
Indicator 3.1: The forestry entity ensures that the special products harvested or purchased on the local market for
processing in its installations are accompanied by all the necessary documents 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
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3.1.1 Waybills signed by the competent authority
3.1.2 Currently valid certificate of legality/permit of the supplier(s)
Indicator 3.2: The forestry entity ensures that the special products 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 of the country of origin, or any other private certificate of legality/sustainable management
recognised by Cameroon
Indicator 3.3: The forestry entity ensures that the special 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
— Article 86(6) of Law 94/01
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 Specification bulletins
3.3.3 Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
3.3.4 Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading
report of the forestry department and the place of loading
3.3.5 Terms and conditions for the products under CITES
Criterion 4: The logging forestry entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 4.1: The forestry entity meets its obligations in relation to the Employment Code (processing and
industrial)
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Law No 92/007 of 14 August 1992 setting out the Employment Code
— Social Security Code
— 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 represen
tative, employment contract, working conditions and salaries, health and safety etc.)
— Article 49 of the national collective bargaining agreement
— Practical directives from the International Labour Organization (ILO)

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Verifiers
4.1.1 Certificate of non-use of salaried staff (ANUPS) issued by the CNPS
4.1.2 Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
4.1.3 Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of
the administrative district
4.1.4 Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
4.1.5 Reports on the election of staff representatives
4.1.6 Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
4.1.7 Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
4.1.8 Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
4.1.9 Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district
Criterion 5: The logging forestry entity meets its obligations as regards environmental protection (industrial and
processing)
Indicator 5.1: The forestry entity has complied with the legislation relating to the studies of environmental
impact, and implements the identified mitigating measures
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging in Cameroon
Verifiers
5.1.1 Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
5.1.2 Record of environmental offences
MATRIX 8: TIMBER PROCESSING UNIT (UTB)
Criterion 1: The processing entity is legally authorised
Indicator 1.1: The processing entity has legal personality and is registered as a timber processor
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 114 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

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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 Authority to set up and operate a first class establishment from the Ministry responsible for the industry, or
receipt of declaration (2nd class)
1.1.4 Certificate of registration as a timber processor from the Ministry responsible for forests
1.1.5 Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of
Appeal
Indicator 1.2: If the processing entity subcontracts the processing work to the holder of a forestry right, it has the
documents certifying the regulatory of that situation in addition to those described under 1.1
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Article 42 of Law 94/01
— Articles 114 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 Certificate of domicile
1.2.4 Commercial register maintained at the competent court office (logging)
1.2.5 Forestry approval granted by the competent authority (logging)
1.2.6 Extract from the registration of the logging hammer stamps with the office of the competent Court of
Appeal (logging)
Indicator 1.3: The processing entity has complied with its tax obligations
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Revised General Tax Code (Part 1, Chapter 1; Part 2, Chapter 1; Part 5, Chapter 3)
— Finance Law 2002/003 and subsequent revisions
Verifiers
1.3.1 Certificate of solvency/tax certificate of the competent tax office or proof of a moratorium (as applicable)
1.3.2 Tax patent
Criterion 2: The processing entity obtains supplies of timber of legal origin and meets its obligations in relation to
timber transportation
Indicator 2.1: The processing entity ensures that timber purchased on the local market for processing in its
installations is accompanied by all the necessary documents to certify its legal origin
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 115(1), (2) and (3), 127(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531

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Verifiers
2.1.1 Secure waybills, signed by the competent authority
2.1.2 Certificate of legality of the supplier(s)
Indicator 2.2: The processing entity ensures that the timber imported for processing in its installations is accom
panied by the necessary documents to certify its legal origins
References to legislation, regulations and rules
— Articles 127(2) and (3) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.2.1 Import licences issued by the competent authorities responsible for forests and finance
2.2.2 International waybills stamped for the entire route
2.2.3 Certificates of origin and phytosanitary certificates from the exporting country
2.2.4 FLEGT licences of the country of origin, or any other private certificate of legality/sustainable management
recognised by Cameroon
Indicator 2.3: The processing entity ensures that 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(1) and 128 of Decree 95-531
Verifiers
2.3.1 Waybill secured and signed by the competent authority of the Ministry responsible for forests, for the
transportation of logs and cut timber by road
2.3.2 Special declaration on note stamped by the competent manager in the event of transportation by rail
2.3.3 Loading certificate of the competent customs department (transport in containers) together with the loading
report of the forestry administration
Indicator 2.4: The processing entity has complied with its tax and forestry tax obligations associated with its
activity(ies)
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
2.4.1 Evidence of payment of plant entry tax (TEU) and other forestry taxes, if stipulated in the terms and
conditions, for the current year and the year preceding the year of verification

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Criterion 3: The processing entity meets its social obligations
Indicator 3.1: 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
3.1.1 Certificate of registration issued by the CNPS
3.1.2 Employer registers in 3 parts, listed and signed by the competent court or by the employment inspector of
the administrative district
3.1.3 Internal rules stamped by the employment inspector of the administrative district
3.1.4 Reports on the election of staff representatives
3.1.5 Agreement on visits and care with a general practitioner
3.1.6 Instrument establishing a workplace health and safety committee, signed by the manager of the enterprise
3.1.7 Inspection reports of the Ministry of Health
3.1.8 Declaration of establishment sent to the employment inspector of the administrative district

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Criterion 4: The processing entity meets its obligations in relation to environmental protection
Indicator 4.1: The processing entity has complied with the legislation relating to the studies of environmental
impact, and implements 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 Enterprise Development Centre
— Rules on activities in forest areas (in general)
— Law 96/12 of 5 August 1996 setting out a framework law on environmental management (Articles 17, 79
and 82)
— Guide on environmental measures in relation to logging
Verifiers
4.1.1 Letter of approval of the terms of reference for the environmental impact audit/study
4.1.2 Certificate of conformity of the environmental impact study/audit
4.1.3 Environmental inspection report
4.1.4 Certificate confirming respect of the environmental clauses
4.1.5 Record of environmental offences
References to existing legislation, regulations and rules
1. Law No 94-01 of 20 January 1994 setting out the Forest Code
2. Law No 96-12 of 5 August 1996 setting out the framework law on environmental management
3. Order No 222 MINEF of 25 May 2001 laying down the procedures for drawing up, approving, monitoring and
controlling the management of the productive forests of the permanent forest domain
4. Decree No 2005/577 of 23 February 2005 laying down the terms for the production of environmental impact
studies
5. Order No 0069 MINEP of 8 March 2005 laying down the different categories of operation whose realisation is
subject to an environmental impact study
6. Finance Law No 2002/003 of 19 April 2002 setting out the General Tax Code
7. Cameroon Employment Code of 14 August 1992
8. Collective bargaining agreement of loggers:
(a) Exercise of the right to form a union (Title 2)
(b) Staff representative (Title 3)
(c) Employment contract (Title 4)
(d) Terms and conditions of employment, salaries (Title 4)
(e) Hygiene, health and safety (Title 5)

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Rules and other documents
1. Procedure (abbreviated to PROC) for drawing up, approving, monitoring and controlling management plans for the
productive forest of the permanent forest domain of Cameroon. Definition of the TECHNICAL SHEETS (version of
July 2001):
Sheet 1: List of rules and forestry management documents
Sheet 2: Specimen provisional agreement and terms and conditions
Sheet 3: Specimen final agreement and terms and conditions
Sheet 4: Glossary
Sheet 5: Outline of the forestry management plan
Sheet 6: List of species, code, minimum diameter of exploitability (DME) and growths
Sheet 7: Specimen report for the management inventory
Sheet 8: Allocation of land within the productive forests and associated activities
Sheet 9: Outline five-year management plan
Sheet 10: Approval protocol of the management inventory
Sheet 11: Verification and approval protocol of the management plan
Sheet 12: Five-year evaluation, end of agreement and end of rotation protocol
Sheet 13: Forms relating to annual logging procedures
Sheet 14: Certificate of materialisation of the logging concession
Sheet 15: Certificate of verification of the logging inventory
Sheet 16: Industrial logging control protocol
Sheet 17: Industrial logging count certificate
Sheet 18: Management work acceptance protocol
2. Inventory, management and pre-investment rules, Cameroon National Forest Development Office (ONADEF), June
1991
3. Logging inventory rules, ONADEF, May 1995
4. Guide to environmental measures associated with logging in Cameroon (Ministry of the Environment and Nature
Protection – March 2005 version):
(a) General considerations, terminology definitions
(b) Protection of the interests of the population
(c) Protection of special sites

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(d) Protection of water resources
(i) Protection of the banks of areas of water
(ii) Protection of water quality
(e) Protection of biodiversity
(i) Protection of fauna
(ii) Protection of flora
(f) Protection of soil
(i) Planning the road network
(ii) Road construction and improvement
(iii) Clearing work
(g) Setting up log yards
(h) Forest campsites and industrial installations
(i) Final provisions
5. NIMF: Rules on activities in forest areas (Decision No 0108/D/MINEF/CAB of 9 February 1998)
(a) General provisions
(b) Relations with local populations
(c) Forest management activity in connection with certain territorial units or protected sites
(d) Protection of banks of areas of water
(e) Protection of fauna
(f) Route, construction and improvement of forest roads
(g) Forest campsites and industrial installations
(h) Setting up log yards
(i) Logging
(j) Extraction
(k) Final provisions
6. Decision No 0098/D/MINFOF/SG/DF/SDFC adopting the document entitled ‘Manual of award procedures and
management rules for community forests – Version 2009’

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ANNEX III-A
LEGALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM
I. Introduction
The Legality Assurance System (LAS) is a viable means of distinguishing forest products of lawful origin from those of
unlawful origin, based on the definition of legal timber laid down in the text of this Voluntary Partnership Agreement
(VPA). It makes it possible to ensure, at any time and anywhere within Cameroon, that only timber produced or acquired
legally is in circulation, and may be granted a FLEGT licence when required. It functions on the basis of the following
elements:
1. verification of the legality of the forestry entity ( 1 );
2. national monitoring of forestry activities;
3. national control of forestry activities;
4. verification of the conformity of the supply chain;
5. issuing FLEGT licences;
6. an independent audit.
II. Coverage
The LAS applies to all sources of production or acquisition of timber and timber products circulating within the national
territory.
Timber imported ( 2 ) by forestry entities established in Cameroon will continue to be imported subject to the conditions
laid down in the Cameroon legislation and regulations. Such timber does not trigger the issue of a FLEGT licence by the
Cameroon issuing authorities unless it meets the origin rules (which are laid down in the economic partnership
agreements) and meet at least one of the following requirements:
— it holds a FLEGT licence from its country of origin,
— it holds a private certificate recognised by the Cameroon Government as having originated from a sustainable
management reference tool including at least the criteria required in the Cameroon legality matrices.
At all events, the legality of the timber imported by the forestry entities established in Cameroon is verified at the border
before entering Cameroon and again when it enters the processing units, where it will be registered in the special ‘CEMAC
plant entry’ books. Close cooperation with the other CEMAC countries will ensure avoidance of the import of illegal
forestry products by Cameroon.
Timber in transit through Cameroon must be saved in the traceability system (in a database created in the second
generation computer system administering forestry information – SIGIF II) and must follow a customs route defined for
that purpose. The monitoring procedures for timber in transit will be defined in detail at a later date, during the
implementation period, as will the information necessary in order to confirm the fact that the timber in question is
in transit, based on the existing CEMAC procedures.
III. Verification of the legality of the forestry entity
The definition of legality and the tools used to ensure the legality of the forestry entities are set out in Annex II. That
Annex includes eight legality matrices produced in order to cover the different supply sources of the timber from the
permanent forest domain (DFP), the non-permanent forest domain (DFNP) or the timber processing units (UTB):
— Permanent forest domain
— Legality matrix 1: logging agreement (CE),
( 1 ) ‘forestry entity’: natural or legal person, community, commune with a legal source for the production, acquisition or processing timber
and derived products.
( 2 ) At present, only CEMAC timber (which originates from a country belonging to the Economic and Monetary Community of Central
Africa, other than Cameroon) is involved in import and transit, but cover under the system may be extended to any origin other than
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— Legality matrix 2: communal forest (FCle); State logging.
— Non-permanent forest domain
— Legality matrix 3: salvage licence (ARB),
— Legality matrix 4: harvested timber removal licence (AEB),
— Legality matrix 5: cut timber sale (VC) in the national domain,
— Legality matrix 6: community forest (FC); State logging,
— Legality matrix 7: special permit (PS); ebony logging in the national domain and the communal forests.
— Timber processing units
— Legality matrix 8: timber processing units (UTB).
With the exception of the UTB matrix, which has certain specific features, all the legality matrices are based on five (5)
common criteria, covering the aspects of administration (criteria 1), logging and management (criteria 2), transportation
(criteria 3), the social area (criteria 4) and the environment (criteria 5). Dependent on the matrices, these criteria are
broken down into a variable number of indicators, which are in turn broken down into verifiers.
Verification of the conformity of the situation of every forestry entity with its verifiers is based on the technical
documents stipulated in the regulatory texts issued by the various administrations and are, for the most part, available
for consultation in the central database of the Ministry responsible for forests (SIGIF II). This verification work in relation
to the legality of the forestry entity is undertaken within a formal structure of the Ministry responsible for forests in
Yaoundé (see Annex III-B), using a flexible and rigorous procedure culminating in the issue of the certificate of legality to
the logging/processing forestry entity, for every right awarded to it and/or every timber processing facility it owns. The
procedures for issue of the ‘certificate of legality’ (identification of the documents of the administrative file, proper
functioning of the system that reconciles the data from the various Ministries involved, procedure for renewal of the
certificate of legality etc.) are defined in a special regulatory provision of the Ministry responsible for forests ( 1 ).
The ‘certificate of legality’ is issued for any given fiscal year, with a period of validity of:
— at most 1 year for rights relating to the permanent forest domain (management agreement and communal forests),
— at most 6 months for rights relating to the non-permanent forest domain,
— at most 1 year for the processing units.
The certificate of legality may be suspended at any time following a dispute as described in Section V.
The central departments responsible for verifying legality may trigger site visits to check the authenticity of the verifiers
set out in the corresponding legality matrix, which cannot always be fully understood on the basis of documentary
analysis alone. These verifications also cover the elements supplied by the partner administrations (Ministry responsible
for health, employment, social affairs, the environment and natural protection etc.), who issue documents required in the
legality matrices.
The detailed procedure for verifying the legality of the forestry entity, and in particular the methods that will be used by
the central departments responsible for verifying legality, will be drawn up during the preparatory phase.
In the specific case of forestry entities holding a private certificate of legality and/or sustainable forest management, which
(i) is recognised and approved by the Minister responsible for forests, which defines the conditions of issue of approvals
to certifiers and private auditors, (ii) has a credible and independent audit and (iii) uses a reference tool which must
include all the requirements of the Cameroon legality matrices, these will be acknowledged as being in conformity with
the legal situation in Cameroon. Such forestry entities will thus receive the ‘certificate of legality’ from the central
departments responsible for verifying legality, on the basis of the valid certificate renewed annually, which will be
requested during the monitoring audit.
( 1 ) This provision will be laid down during the operationalisation phase of the system.

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Official Journal of the European Union
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Recognition by MINFOF of private certificates of legality and/or sustainable management will take place following an
analysis of the reference tools used by the approved offices, in order to check that they have in fact included all the
criteria, indicators and verifiers of the Cameroon legality matrices (administrative, logging and management, transport,
social and environmental aspects). MINFOF will conduct a formal assessment of the private certification standards of the
forest concessions in Cameroon, based on the legality matrix, during the preparatory phase. Following this assessment, a
report will be drawn up, which will be published and publicly accessible. If the assessment is positive, the private
certification system will be approved by the Minister responsible for forests under a regulatory provision. This
approval will be published. It will hence allow the issue of a certificate of legality to companies certified under such a
system, without any specific assessment having to be conducted, avoiding dual verification of legality in these certified
forestry concessions. However, the forestry company receiving this approved certification must send the central
departments responsible for verifying legality all the certification audit reports drawn up in relation to the private
certification system, to enable it to monitor compliance with legality in this process, and thus enable the issue of the
certificate of legality with respect to the enterprise and the right in question.
IV. National monitoring of forestry activities
National monitoring of forestry activities is coordinated by the Ministry responsible for forests, via the specialist
departments, and involves all the other administrations concerned in the national land management process. The
monitoring tool is the second generation computer system administering forestry information (SIGIF II), whose central
memory is located at the Ministry responsible for forests, with links (electronic links allowing information to be uploaded
and real-time access) to the ‘MESURE’ tax system and the ‘SYDONIA’ customs system of the Ministry of Finance. It is
therefore dependent not only on the proper functioning of those departments throughout the country, but also on
positive collaboration with all the actors within the forestry industry.
SIGIF II is the IT tool with a central memory located at the Forests Division, on which all the data relating to the forestry
industry originating from the forest and hunting control points, checkpoints, departmental delegations, regional
delegations, forestry entities, tax and customs administrations etc., is held on file. It enables, at all times, the situation
of every forestry entity to be ascertained and all necessary decisions in relation to the legality of their activities to be
taken. It thus represents the main source of information capable of blocking the process leading to the issue of the FLEGT
licence, when a forestry entity whose situation is irregular requests such a document; hence the use of the term ‘blocking
system’.
MESURE (Meilleur suivi du rendement fiscal/improved monitoring of the tax yield) is a client/server application, which
operates in the large enterprises division (DGE), in the forestry revenue security program (PSRF) and in the tax offices
responsible for medium-sized enterprises (CIME) of the General Tax Directorate. Its main function is to monitor and
manage taxes, fees, duties and charges. It offers a platform for entry, processing and analysis of declaration data in
relation to forestry taxation. After the link with SIGIF II is set up, it will generate the following data:
— general taxation data (patents, CNPS, taxes under existing law),
— chart monitoring payment of the felling tax,
— table monitoring payment of the plant entry tax,
— chart relating to collections from public auctions and transactions,
— chart monitoring collection and allocation of the RFA,
— chart relating to payment of small rights,
— approval expenses, expenses for the award of rights etc.
All this information is used in monitoring correspondence and enters the blocking system in the event of any irregularity.
SYDONIA: the customs IT system (SYDONIA) is a global application; it is used by the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development (Unctad), in several member countries of the World Customs Organization (WCO). It is a
server/user application, which is currently used by the Cameroon customs administration. Under the link with SIGIF
II, it communicates the following information in real-time:
— statistical data relating to quantities exported:
— national log exports,
— exports of logs in transit (CEMAC),
— national exports of sawn timber,

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6.4.2011 Official
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Union L
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— exports of sawn timber in transit (CEMAC),
— exports of parquet,
— exports of plywood,
— exports of veneers,
— exports of special products,
— exports of finished timber products,
— statistical data on the global taxable values of the quantities exported,
— statistical data on the budgetary revenue generated by the timber exports,
— data relating to the forestry entities suspended from customs activity and the reasons for their suspension,
— data relating to the discharge of payments and the volumes granted either by the General Tax Directorate (DGI) or
MINFOF,
— data relating to the volumes of logs exported by certain forestry entities holding special licences (export of logs of
category 2 promotion species),
— data relating to the number of FLEGT licences accompanying the shipments actually loaded,
— data on the quantities of CEMAC timber in transit or imported.
As in the case of MESURE, all the SYDONIA information is used in monitoring correspondence and enters the blocking
system in the event of any irregularity.
V. National control of forestry activities
National control of forestry activities is undertaken on a day-to-day basis along the entire supply chain. All the
information obtained is saved in the traceability system and enters the central database SIGIF II. This is undertaken by
all the specialist departments of the Ministry responsible for forests, assisted by the forces responsible for keeping order
and the Justice Ministry. It takes place in conformity with the ‘National Strategy for Forestry and Fauna Control’, which
applies to the individual stages of the supply chain and is based, inter alia, on the traceability system described in this
Annex. Amended control procedures will be drawn up during the preparatory phase, in order to take account of the
requirements of the Legality Assurance System.
The forestry control activities may give rise to disputes, which are managed using the software tool ‘Monitoring offences
and IT management of forestry disputes’ (SIGICOF), a module linked to SIGIF II. The conclusions of the forestry
complaint will be used in the blocking system against any forestry entity committing an offence, as soon as it has
been declared guilty by the competent courts. These conclusions are therefore set out in the record of offences within the
SIGIF II database and continue to block for the entity in question (i.e. prevent the issue of the certificate of legality), while
not having yet produced all the legal effects laid down in the applicable regulations.
VI. Verification of the conformity of the supply chain
This is the traceability system for timber and derived products in Cameroon.
VI a. Objective
The traceability system will be capable of monitoring the trace of the timber and timber products from the forest to the
point of export, including all intermediate points. This traceability system thus allows entry of the results of the logging
inventory, all the volumes felled, transported, entering the plant and processed, and all the CEMAC products imported or
in transit.
VI b. Coverage
Verification of conformity of the supply chain covers the entire national territory, all the production or acquisition
methods (forestry concession, cut timber sale, community forests, communal forests, salvage licences and public auctions)
and all forestry products exported, imported, in transit and exchanged within the country.

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L 92/72
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Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
VI c. Principles
The system is designed on the basis of the following principles:
— it is a central database (SIGIF II), which is accessible online by all the actors involved in the timber sector,
— it is linked to the databases of other administrations or departments, for the purposes of linking and consolidating
information [SIGIF II, SIGICOF, SYDONIA, MESURE] in real-time,
— it functions in client/server mode, with regulated access to the server (group, rights etc.). Data is uploaded in real-time
by all those using the system (loggers, industrial operators, exporters, importers, tax administration, customs adminis
tration and forest administration),
— it permits transparency of the sector, by providing online access to reliable and relevant information to the benefit of
the actors dealing with forestry problems,
— it sets up the logging inventory: every tree listed under the existing legislation is given a reference number (barcode),
— it is electronic (fast and reliable) and is at the same time documentary (waybills, worksite books etc.),
— it is declarative and increases accountability (in both tax and forestry terms). The forestry entity is made accountable
through the fact that it is itself responsible for blockages and delays: if it fails to send its felling (and other)
declarations, it penalises itself as regards downstream operations (export),
— it is compatible with the systems established in neighbouring countries and with those set up by the forestry entities,
— it has a blocking effect in relation to the member groups, to the rights granted to each group and to the encoding of
the centrally secured databases. The traceability system must include validation of data entered at every stage.
(e.g.: issue of the permit by the central MINFOF requires entry of the logging inventory data),
— it is a system designed to simplify the control procedures, in particular through reduction of the number of control
points (identification of mandatory points of passage), through the electronic link which facilitates information
exchange etc.
VI d. The actors and their rles
As indicated above, the actors may encode, transmit or consult the data in SIGIF II at various levels along the traceability
chain. The flow of data transmission/consultation between the actors is set out in the flowchart below:
Flowchart of the flow of data transmission/consultation
Key: meaning of the arrows
No Flow
of
data
or
information
passing
through
1
— Control of transportation documentation (waybills, specification bulletins, certificates of origin and
customs documents)
— Encoding of physical control data on CEMAC timber
— Specific barcodes

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6.4.2011 Official
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European
Union L
92/73
No Flow
of
data
or
information
passing
through
2 —
Uploading
data
on
their
activities
(inventories,
felling,
transportation,
processing,
import
and
export)
— Uploading information on felling tax (TA), plant entry tax (TEU), annual forestry fee (RFA) and existing
taxes, to monitor correspondence
3
— Availability for consultation purposes of statistics on production, taxes calculated, conclusions of disputes
4 —
Encoding
of
physical
control
data
5 —
Consultation
in
relation
to
statistics
on
production,
taxes
calculated,
conclusions
of
disputes
6 —
Encoding
of
data
processed
by
MESURE
7 —
Consultation
in
relation
to
physical
control
data
recorded
by
border
posts
8 —
Encoding
of
data
processed
by
SYDONIA
9
— Consultation in relation to statistics on products imported and in transit, CEMAC timber
10 —
Consultation,
where
necessary,
on
data
relating
to
the
legality
of
the
timber
11 —
Consultation
on
the
production
statistics
and
elements
of
scientific
analyses
12
— Traceability of timber and derived products destined for export
13 —
Encoding
of
export
data
(specification
bulletin
on
timber
for
expert)
— Encoding of FLEGT licence numbers
14 —
Consultation
in
relation
to
inventories,
production
and
processing
statistics,
statistics
on
the
volume
of
rolled products, taxes calculated, conclusions of disputes, certificates of legality etc.
15 —
Encoding
of
physical
control
data
— Encoding of data relating to disputes (record of confiscations, record of auction sales of confiscated
products)
Definition of the roles of the individual actors:
— MINFOF central office:
— management of the system and regulation of procedures,
— encoding of basic information,
— supervision of control,
— links with other administrations,
— validation of data at central level,
— independent audit.
— The forestry entities:
— uploading data on their activities (inventories, felling, transportation, processing, import and export) or trans
mission to the departments responsible for uploading onto the database,
— uploading information on felling tax (TA), plant entry tax (TEU), annual forestry fee (RFA) and existing taxes, to
monitor correspondence, or transmission to the departments responsible for uploading onto the database.
— The joint border teams:
— uploading data on timber from neighbouring countries,
— control and verification of documents,
— provision of specific barcodes for timber in transit, as necessary.
— The regional and departmental delegations responsible for forests:
— uploading data from specification bulletins on timber for export (BSE),
— uploading data on control and documentary verification undertaken at the forestry and hunting control post
(PCFC),

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L 92/74
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Official Journal of the European Union
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— uploading data relating to the auction sale of confiscated products (VEB).
— Checkpoints:
— uploading physical control data,
— reading barcodes.
— The entity responsible for issuing FLEGT licences:
— uploading data referred to on the FLEGT licences issued,
— physical documentary control,
— the issue of FLEGT licences.
— Tax administration:
— uploading information on felling tax (TA), plant entry tax (TEU), annual forestry fee (RFA) and existing taxes, to
monitor correspondence.
— Customs:
— uploading information in relation to quantities loaded, imported, in transit,
— physical and documentary verification,
— uploading customs revenue information.
— Other countries:
— consultation via the links between traceability systems.
— Other actors:
— reading, observation, exposure and suggestions.
The organisational procedures of the institutional actors called upon to play an essential part in implementing the LAS are
set out in Annex III-B.
VI e. Information management
The table below sets out the broad outlines of the traceability system to be set up. The procedures specific to each stage
in the supply chain will be devised during the preparatory phase, with external technical assistance support over a limited
period and after field testing. These specific procedures defining the frequency of controls/verifications, sampling methods,
field control procedures, record of offences, processing of CEMAC timber etc., will be set out in a procedure manual
drawn up and distributed to all the actors involved. Specific equipment and resources will be made available to the
departments responsible for monitoring traceability.

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6.4.2011 Off
Milestones Operations Responsibility
for
the
operation Data
to
be
encoded Responsibility
for
the
encoding
Verification (physical and
documentary control)
Data reconciliation
— barcode
— logger
— Operators via research
departments approved — fiscal year
EN
for undertaking inven

tories
Data entry by the operators
— species code
Field control by MINFOF
and recording in SIGIF II
of the quality/viability of Test for coherence with the
Logging inventories
— MINFOF (prior inven
the inventory (central and management inventories (in
tories in the salvage — diameter
at
breast Inventory card recorded in devolved departments)
particular in relation to
licences)
height (DHP) (1,3 m)
the Central Unit of Forest based on sampling (verifi inventorised species)
Mapping (UCECAF)
cation rules)
→ Marking of every inven — GPS coordinates
torised tree with a bar-
coded label
— right No/UFA (Forest
Management Unit)/
block/annual allowable
icial
cuts (AAC)
Jour
— barcode
nal
1. Forests (1 )
— DF10 (worksite book)
of
No
the
— logger
European
— subcontractor
Test for automatic
— Operators
coherence in the SIGIF II
Field control by MINFOF between the volume/number
Union
— AAC No
Entry of data by the
→ Marking of the stump
(devolved departments,
of standing trees felled and
Felling
operators on the DF10
and the felled log with
authorised.
— area
worksite books and
National Control Team
new bar-coded labels
recording in SIGIF II
(BNC) and the Independent
(same barcode as the
Observer (OI))
Interface with MESURE
standing tree)
— species code
database of the Ministry of
Finance (MINFI) (felling tax)
— length
— Largest diameter end
— Smallest diameter end
— Date
L
92/75

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L 92/76
Milestones Operations Responsibility
for
the
operation Data
to
be
encoded Responsibility
for
the
encoding
Verification (physical and
documentary control)
Data reconciliation
— barcode
— log waybill No
— DF10 No (+ line and
position)
EN

— AAC No
— departure No (timber
Field control by MINFOF
depot)
(devolved departments,
— Operators
BNC and the OI) with
Preparation and loading at
— destination
systematic verification
Automatic coherence test in
→ Marking with new bar-
the timber depot in the
Entry by the operators on
SIGIF II (in particular
coded labels on the — carrier
and at checkpoints, of the
forest (to the plant, export
the log waybill and
between rolled volumes and
prepared billets (linked
validity/viability of the
or intermediate depot)
recording in SIGIF II
felled volumes, destination
to the barcode on the — species code
documents, recording of etc.)
original log)
barcodes and physical
Off
— length
verification of volumes in
icial
— largest diameter end
the log waybill declarations
2. Transportation of logs:
Jour
— smallest diameter end
forest – export
nal
— date
forest – plant
of
— agent
(+
logging
the
forest intermediate depot
hammer No)
European
intermediate depot –
— vehicle registration
export
— barcode
intermediate depot –
Union
plant
— log waybill No (inter
mediate depot)/rail
transport note
— DF10 No (+ line and
position)
Field control by MINFOF
— AAC No
(devolved departments,
BNC, OI and checkpoints)
— departure (depot name)
with systematic verification
Preparation and loading at
— destination
Entry by the operators on of the validity/viability of Automatic coherence test in
the intermediate depot or — Operators
the ‘intermediate depot’
SIGIF II between ‘inter
— carrier
the documents, recording
station
waybill and recording in of barcodes and physical mediate depot’ log waybill
— species code
SIGIF II
verification of volumes in and waybill
— length
the declarations in the
— largest diameter end
‘intermediate depot’ log
waybill and waybill
— smallest diameter end
— date
— agent
(+
logging
6.4.2011
hammer No)
— vehicle registration

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6.4.2011 Off
Milestones Operations Responsibility
for
the
operation Data
to
be
encoded Responsibility
for
the
encoding
Verification (physical and
documentary control)
Data reconciliation
— barcode
— processor
— species code
Systematic joint control by
— supply title
MINFOF and MINFI
Automatic coherence test in
EN
— DF10 No
Physical verification of SIGIF II between rolled

billets and comparison of volumes and volumes at
Receipt at plant entry —
Operators
— ‘intermediate depot’ log Entry by the operators and information on waybills plant entry
waybill or waybill
recording in SIGIF II
→ Reading of barcodes Link with MESURE database
— length
and entry of ‘intermediate of the MINFI (plant entry
— largest diameter end
depot’ log waybill and
waybill by the MINFOF tax)
— smallest diameter end
agents
— date
— agent
— barcode
icial
— Plant entry code (CEU)
Jour
No
nal
— species code
— origin
Systematic joint control by
of
— Operators
Entry by the operators on MINFOF and MINFI
Automatic coherence test in
the
— DF10 No – line –
3. Plant
→ Marking by barcode on
SIGIF II between plant entry
Entry into processing chain
position
the timber processing plant Physical verification of volumes and production European
the prepared blocks
entry records and
(link with barcode of — waybill No
blocks and comparison
recording in SIGIF II
chain entry volumes
original billet)
with information on plant
— length
(processing chain)
entry codes
— largest diameter end
Union
— smallest diameter end
— date
(entry
into
processing chain)
— barcode
— plant departure code No
Comparison between
— contract No
volumes entering and
— Operators
— processor
leaving the production
→ Marking of a new
chain and test of coherence
— fiscal year
against average material
Departure from processing
barcode on the
Entry by the operators on Systematic joint control by yields per species
chain
processed products
— species code
the plant departure records MINFOF and MINFI
(link with blocks
— length
and recording in SIGIF II
Link between processed
entering the processing
products (leaving the plant)
chain)
— width
and logs registered in the
— thickness
CEU, for daily reconciliation
— number of pieces
if possible
L
— date (departure)
92/77

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L 92/78
Milestones Operations Responsibility
for
the
operation Data
to
be
encoded Responsibility
for
the
encoding
Verification (physical and
documentary control)
Data reconciliation
— barcode
— cut
timber
waybill
(LVD) No/rail transport
note
EN
— contract No

4. Transport of processed
— pack No
Field control by MINFOF
products:
— processor
(devolved departments,
plant – port
BNC, OI and checkpoints)
— carrier
with systematic verification
plant – plant
— departure
Entry by the operators on of the validity/viability of Automatic reconciliation in
plant – intermediate
— Operator
the LVDs and recording in the documents, recording SIGIF II
depot
— destination
SIGIF II
of barcodes and physical
verification of volumes in
intermediate depot –
— fiscal year
the declarations in the
Off
port
— species code
‘intermediate depot’ log
icial
waybill and waybill
— length
Jour
— width
nal
— thickness
of
— number of pieces
the
— date
European
— barcode
— country of destination
Union
— logger
— Automatic coherence test
in SIGIF II (Douala Port
— fiscal year
forest point) relating to
— title No
the identity, origin,
Encoding by the operators — Documentary review of
history of the products,
— AAC No
of the data contained in
the file
the earlier parties in the
supply chain etc.
— species code
the specification bulletins — Physical verification of
5. Port
Log export Operator
on timber for export (BSE)
every batch in BSE
— Automatic coherence test
— length
and recording in SIGIF II
— Physical verification by
in the MINFI (MESURE)
— largest diameter end
Confirmation by the customs (support from
database
peripheral legality unit
— smallest diameter end
SGS) via sampling
— Automatic coherence test
in the customs database
— date
(SIDONIA)
— agent
→ FLEGT licence
— contract No
6.4.2011
— log waybill No

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6.4.2011 Off
Milestones Operations Responsibility
for
the
operation Data
to
be
encoded Responsibility
for
the
encoding
Verification (physical and
documentary control)
Data reconciliation
— barcode
— country of destination
— Automatic coherence test
— processor
in SIGIF II (Douala Port
— fiscal year
forest point) relating to
EN
the identity, origin,

— length
— Documentary review of
history of the products,
— width
the file
the earlier parties in the
Entry by the operators of
— thickness
— Physical verification of
supply chain etc.
Exports of cut timber Operator
the specification bulletins
every batch in BSE
— number of pieces
on timber for export (BSE)
— Automatic coherence test
and in SIGIF II
— Physical verification by
in the MINFI (MESURE)
— species code
customs (support from
database
— Volume
SGS) via sampling
— Automatic coherence test
— date
in the customs database
(SYDONIA)
— agent
→ FLEGT licence
icial
— contract No
Jour
— LVD No
nal
— barcode
of
— country of destination
the
— processor
European
— fiscal year
— length
Union
— width (cut timber)
— thickness (cut timber)
— number of pieces (cut Encoding by the operators Physical loading control by
Export of logs and cut
Reconciliation test in the
Operator and MINFOF/ timber)
of the data contained in MINFOF and customs
timber in containers
SIGIF II database between
— largest diameter end the specification bulletins
(loading)
MINFI
Douala International
(logs)
on timber for export (BSE) Stamp on loading
and in SIGIF II
certificate
Terminal (DIT) and BSE
— smallest diameter end
(logs)
— species code
— volume
— date
— agent
— contract No
— waybill No
L
92/79

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L 92/80
Milestones Operations Responsibility
for
the
operation Data
to
be
encoded Responsibility
for
the
encoding
Verification (physical and
documentary control)
Data reconciliation
Transport documentation
(waybills, specification
bulletins, certificates of
origin and customs
documents) Data encoded
EN
in SIGIF II

— specific barcode
— country of origin
— largest diameter end
(logs)
— smallest diameter end
Verification by the
(logs)
checkpoint of the
Reconciliation between data
of departure ports and
Off
Entry of timber in transit MINFOF
— width (cut timber)
Border post
transport documentation
and other documents points of entry, based on
icial
data from SIGIF II
— thickness (cut timber)
from the country of origin
Jour
— number of pieces (cut
nal
timber)
of
— species code
the
European
Timber in transit
— company
— destination
— date of entry
Union
— checkpoint
— agent
Transport documentation
(waybills, specification
bulletins, certificates of
origin and customs
Verification by the
documents)
checkpoint of the import
Legal import documen
licence, transport docu Reconciliation with plant
tation
mentation and other
Entry of imported timber Operator
(importer)
Border post and operator documents from the
entry depot by country of
Proven certificates of at plant entry
country of origin
origin. Based on data
legality or durability (while
encoded in SIGIF II
awaiting FLEGT licence
The timber enters the
from the countries in
normal supply chain moni
question) encoded in
toring circuit
6.4.2011
SIGIF II
— specific barcode

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6.4.2011 Off
Milestones Operations Responsibility
for
the
operation Data
to
be
encoded Responsibility
for
the
encoding
Verification (physical and
documentary control)
Data reconciliation
— country of origin
— largest diameter end
(logs)
EN
— smallest diameter end

(logs)
— width (cut timber)
— thickness (cut timber)
— number of pieces (cut
timber)
— species code
— company
icial
— destination
Jour
— date of entry
nal
of
— checkpoint
the
— agent
European
(1 ) The timber confiscated and sold at auction at any stage will enter the traceability chain at that point and will follow all the subsequent stages of the chain
Union
L
92/81

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L 92/82
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
VII. Issue of flegt licences
The system for granting FLEGT licences validates the results of the verification of the legality of the forestry entities, of the
conformity of the supply chain, of the national monitoring and control of forestry activity, for the shipments of timber
that are the subjects of a FLEGT licence application. The FLEGT licence, like the certificate of legality, is a derivative of the
LAS.
Verification of the situation of any given timber shipment is undertaken via consultation of the secure documents
exchange between ‘the central departments responsible for legality’ (at Yaoundé) and the ‘devolved departments
responsible for legality’ (at the export points), online, using a single use numbering system and automatic recording
in the central database, or else via secure documents put out in paper format, in the event of failure of the electronic
system.
The FLEGT licence is issued by the designated managers of the devolved departments responsible for legality, of the
Ministry responsible for forests (regional or departmental delegations, forestry and hunting control posts), based on a final
report supplied by SIGIF II certifying the regulatory conformity of the timber to be exported. This report represents the
product of the verification of three basic signals, which are involved in the blocking system:
— signal 1: which indicates regularity with respect to the certificate of legality,
— signal 2: which indicates regularity with respect to disputes (SIGICOF),
— signal 3: which indicates regularity with respect to national monitoring (supply chain, MESURE and SYDONIA).
The FLEGT licence, when required, accompanies the specification bulletins (BSE) issued by the competent local
department of the Ministry responsible for forests, and enables the ‘lading note’ issued by the customs to be obtained,
when the loading operations for each shipment of timber for export have been completed. In any event, staff of the
Ministry responsible for forests ultimately check the conformity of the shipments with the associated FLEGT licences
before the shipments in question leave. The signatures on the FLEGT licences are officially known.
The procedure for the issue of the FLEGT licences is defined in a text produced by the Minister responsible for forests.
The authorised signatures are sent regularly to the competent authorities of the Union, which inform the Union customs
departments. Specific equipment and resources for controlling and registering the FLEGT licences prior to loading are
made available to the controllers at the port of lading.
The FLEGT licences and the procedures for issuing them are described in Annex V and will be the subject of further
development during the preparatory phase.
Timber and derived products in transit under the control of the Cameroon customs authorities will not require a
Cameroon FLEGT licence for export to the Union.
VIII. Independent audit
An independent audit is conducted periodically on the entire LAS, in such a way as to ensure its credibility and its
transparency from production to export, and even extends to the functioning of the competent authorities of the Union.
The role, competences and recruitment conditions of the independent auditor are described in Annex VI.
IX. Conclusion
Ultimately, the LAS represents a pooling of resources for the purposes of functional synergy of a monitoring system for
forestry activity, of national control along the supply chain and of the services provided in the forestry sector; the entire
system undergoes an independent audit to ensure its credibility.
In effect, the national monitoring of forestry activity feeds into and manages a central database at the Forests Division,
with links to the partner administrations. National control of forestry activity itself takes place along the timber supply
chain and the processing cycle of the files inherent in the forestry sector, and enables the regularity of the situation and of
the files added by every user of the forestry sector to be confirmed at all times and at all locations around the national
territory. It also enables the offences recorded in the SIGICOF database to be detected and punished.
Implementation of the LAS takes place within a well-defined institutional framework.

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INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
The LAS is integrated into the existing institutional framework of the Ministry responsible for forests. The resulting
institutional framework is based on management that takes account of the new order brought about by the VPA, without
creating any new structures. The institutional framework thus displays all the structures and human, material and financial
resources that can be mobilised in order to implement the LAS, leading to the issue of certificates of legality and FLEGT
licences.
The institutional framework is described in Annex III-B, while the requirements are described in Annex X.

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ANNEX III-B
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK OF THE LEGALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM
I. Implementation structures of the Legality Assurance System
The Legality Assurance System (LAS) in Cameroon is implemented as part of the functioning of the internal structures of
the Ministry responsible for forests (MINFOF). These structures operate at different levels (central and devolved
departments) and to different degrees, in order to put into operation the various elements on which the LAS is based
(see Annex III-A), namely:
— verification of the legality of the logging/processing forestry entity,
— national monitoring of forestry activities,
— national control of forestry activities,
— verification of the conformity of the supply chain,
— issuing FLEGT licences,
— independent audit.
The various entities responsible for implementing the LAS, and their roles, are described below, with specific focus on the
new aspects involved in issue of the legality certificate and/or the FLEGT licence, these being the two new documents
originating out of the VPA.
I a. Central departments responsible for controlling legality
These departments are part of the Forest Division (DF). The departments in question are: the department responsible for
rules on activities in forest areas (SN) and the department responsible for the administration of forestry information
(SEGIF). They operate under the authority of the Forest Taxation and Agreements Sub-Division (SDAFF), which is
answerable to the Forests Division, which is in turn answerable to the General Secretariat (SG) of the MINFOF, under
the authority of the Minister responsible for forests and fauna.
The department responsible for rules on activities in forest areas (SN), in addition to other duties that are devolved to it
by the organisation chart, examines applications for ‘certificates of legality’ and verifies the conformity of the activities of
the forestry entities with the provisions of the legality matrices (see Annex II). In this context, it liaises (consultation and
documentary or electronic applications) with all the internal departments of MINFOF (DF [Forests Division], DPT, DFAP
[Department of Wildlife and Protected Areas], BNC etc.) and the competent departments of the other administrations
involved in the issue of the documents required under the legality matrices (Ministries responsible for: the environment,
finance, customs, customs, health, industry, mines, employment, social services and agriculture). An interministerial
committee to monitor links will also be set up by the national committee responsible for monitoring the Agreement.
Once the verifications have been undertaken, the SN validates the applications for a certificate of legality and transmits
them to the department responsible for administration of forestry information, to enable draft certificates of legality to be
prepared and the associated data encoded in the database.
The department responsible for administering forestry information (SEGIF), as its name implies, is responsible for
administering all the information on the forestry sector that is available in the second generation computer system
administering forestry information (SIGIF II) database, which it uses to respond to all requests for information and/or to
produce the certificates of legality, following the example of other annual forestry operation permits and certificates. It is
therefore this department which houses the central memory of the SIGIF II, which is the tool with which all data on the
forestry sector are centralised and processed along with the data from the links with the other administrations. This is
where the notices and signals necessary to allow the issue of the FLEGT licence, where applicable, are issued (see Annex
III-A), and the issue of draft certificates of legality. The draft certificates of legality issued by the SEGIF are sent for
examination by the Forest Taxation and Approvals Sub-Division (SDAFF), its direct hierarchical superior, which sets them
along the normal file processing route to the point of signature by the Minister responsible for forests and wildlife, via the
Secretary General (SG).
In summary, issue of the certificates of legality involves the invention of the departments in the following order:
SN-SEGIF-SDAFF-DF-SG-MINFOF.

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I b. Devolved departments responsible for legality
All the devolved structures of the MINFOF are involved in implementing the LAS. Some, which are selected according to
their position along the timber circulation and/or loading route, play a key rle, specifically: the border posts, the forestry
and hunting control posts (PCFC) of the timber production/acquisition locations, the checkpoints, regional delegations,
departmental delegations, forestry and hunting control posts of the timber loading points and of the airports.
These departments are responsible for application of the legislative and regulatory requirements as regards national
monitoring of forestry activity, timber control and traceability, with special responsibility, at loading points, for the
export of timber and derived products, where the FLEGT licences are issued.
The border incoming timber PCFCs (forestry and hunting control posts): are responsible for:
— verifying the legality of the imported timber (verifying conformity of the documents presented with the products
being transported),
— applying the requirements for placing them in the customs route for timber in transit, together with the customs
departments,
— encoding the data in SIGIF II,
— reading and verifying the barcodes on the imported timber and signing the transport documentation,
— applying barcodes to timber in transit and imported timber.
The PCFCs (forestry and hunting control posts) of the timber production or acquisition locations are responsible for:
— controlling logging operations (physical and documentary control),
— marking inspection of logs,
— reading and verifying barcodes,
— recording data,
— stamping waybills on departure from the sites.
Checkpoints: a distinction is made between plant entry and road checkpoints, some of the latter being mandatory points
of passage; they are responsible for the following, as applicable:
— plant entry/departure control,
— physical cargo control,
— waybill control,
— entering the data in SIGIF II,
— reading and verifying barcodes,
— recording data in the PDA ( 1 ) and in registers.
The PCFCs (forestry and hunting control posts) at the loading points for exported timber (ports of Douala, Kribi, Limbé,
Idenau, Campo and the airports) are responsible for:
— controlling the timber traceability elements (physical and documentary control),
— recording data,
— taking receipt and the examination of the files on applications for FLEGT licences, then forwarding these to the
competent departmental delegation for preparation of the licences in question, provided they conform to the
conditions laid down in Annex III-A, where they are not themselves a FLEGT licensing authority,
( 1 ) PDA: Personal Data Assistance

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— preparing the FLEGT licences following all the requests to this effect within the central memory of SIGIF II, where they
themselves are a FLEGT licensing authority.
The departmental delegations are responsible for:
— supervising the activities of the PCFCs situated in the geographical area for which they are responsible,
— physical control of cargos (forest section),
— waybill control (forest section),
— encoding the data in SIGIF II,
— monitoring and control of coherence of logging data,
— reading and verifying barcodes,
— signing waybills and/or specification bulletins and forwarding them to the competent regional delegation,
— collecting copies of duly completed DF10 worksite books and bill of lading forms,
— recording data,
— on behalf of the departmental delegations at the points of loading, issuing the FLEGT licences on the basis of a
complete and conforming file forwarded by the forestry and hunting control posts of the point of loading for export.
For this purpose, they have a link to the SIGIF II database, which provides them with signals relating to the legality of
the logging/processing forestry unit and the shipments of timber for export in accordance with Annex III-A. The
FLEGT licences issued are returned to the forestry and hunting control posts at the points of loading, where the lading
formalities will be completed with the customs departments.
The regional delegations are responsible for:
— supervising the activities of the departmental delegations,
— physical cargo control (regional teams),
— waybill control (regional teams),
— monitoring and control of coherence of logging data,
— encoding the data in SIGIF II,
— reading and verifying barcodes,
— applying barcodes for timber sold at public auction,
— signature of specification bulletins and their transmission to the competent PCFC of the point of loading for export,
for the export formalities associated with the customs departments,
— collecting DF10 worksite books and waybill copies,
— recording data,
— issuing FLEGT licences on the basis of a complete and conforming file forwarded by the forestry and hunting control
posts of the point of loading for export.
Finally, virtually all of MINFOF devolved departments and central technical division departments specialising in forestry,
are links in the implementation chain of the LAS, with some specific features in the Forest Division, where the certificates
of legality are initiated, and in certain regional or departmental delegations, or designated PCFCs, where the FLEGT
licences are issued.
The monitoring and control activities involving the timber production/acquisition and circulation routes are of course
undertaken normally and on an ongoing basis by the controllers of the National Control Team (BNC) and of the regional
delegations, by the staff of the departmental delegations and of the forestry and hunting control posts throughout the
national territory.

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When the Legality Assurance System is launched, the structures responsible for its implementation will enjoy the technical
assistance, for a pre-determined period, of the research departments, which will have put in place the technical and
technological tools of the traceability system.
The flowchart of the institutional system is set out below:
INSTITUTIONAL FLOWCHART
KEY:
Meaning of the arrows:
1: Link to SIGIF II with MESURE and SYDONIA
2: Requests for information from the administrations involved
3: Provision of specific information related to the request
4: Deposit of certificate of legality application files
5: Encoding of data in SIGIF II or filing of logging data
6: Deposit of files for FLEGT licence application files
7: Requests for specific information
8: Provision of information from the database
9: Requests for information on disputes
10: Provision of specific information from the database
11: Provision of specific information
12: Link to the database, data encoding
13: Issue of certificates of legality
14: Issue of FLEGT licences

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II. Monitoring body at national level
A ‘national monitoring committee’ is established, in accordance with Article 16 of the Agreement, in order to conduct
regular consultations between the Cameroon stakeholders and to guarantee their involvement in the monitoring and
implementation of the Agreement. It includes all the interested stakeholders, in particular;
— the representatives of the administrations involved,
— members of parliament,
— the representatives of the forestry communes (having their own domain, with a domain assigned to them by the State
or beneficiaries of the forestry tax),
— the representatives of civil society organisations,
— the representatives of the private forestry and timber sector,
— the unions that are active in the sector.
The composition and organisational and functional requirements of the Committee will be laid down in a regulation by
the Minister responsible for forests as soon as the Agreement has been signed.

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ANNEX IV
CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE RELEASE FOR FREE CIRCULATION IN THE UNION OF TIMBER AND
DERIVED PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM CAMEROON AND ACCOMPANIED BY A FLEGT LICENCE
I. Principles
In order to guarantee the efficient operation of the Cameroon FLEGT licensing scheme, the Member States of the Union
must verify that the timber and derived products sent from Cameroon and entered for release for free circulation in the
Union are accompanied by a FLEGT licence in accordance with the rules (see Articles 6 and 10).
The existence and regularity of the FLEGT licence are ascertained following documentary verification by the competent
authorities that the Member States will have designated.
The timber and derived products within a shipment will not be released for free circulation until the customs authorities
have been informed of the existence and regularity of the FLEGT licence corresponding to the shipment. Before the FLEGT
licensing scheme is launched, the Union will notify Cameroon of the list of competent authorities designated by each of
the Member States and also the procedure that will be used by those competent authorities.
II. Deadlines
The FLEGT licence scheme establishes a set of requirements and procedures designed to verify that the timber and derived
products shipped to the Union are produced legally. The establishment of this scheme must not be at the expense of the
competitiveness of the timber and derived products originating from Cameroon. The deadlines for release for free
circulation within the Union must in particular be observed, in order to prevent any distortion against timber and
derived products originating from a country that has not established a FLEGT licence scheme.
This concern will be taken into account by the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) and has been explicitly included in:
— the ‘Terms of Reference for the Independent System Audit (ISA)’ (Annex VI, Section II.4),
— the ‘Evaluation criteria for the system established in the Union to accept FLEGT licences’ (Annex VIII, Section VI).
III. Procedure
The importer sends the licence accompanying a shipment to the competent authorities of the Member State in which the
customs declaration for the purposes of release of the shipment for free circulation is made.
The importer is actively encouraged to send the licence before the shipment arrives in the Union, in order to allow its
prior processing by the Union authorities.
The competent authorities examine the licence from five aspects (documentary control):
— conformity to the specimen or to the technical specifications of the licence for Cameroon, which the European
Commission transmitted earlier to the competent authorities,
— presence of an original or of a replacement document bearing the word ‘Duplicate’, issued by the licensing authority,
— the fact that the examination date is earlier than the expiry date appearing on the licence,
— absence of erasures and alterations, unless they have been authenticated by the licensing authority,
— absence of extension of the validity of the licence, unless the extension was issued by the licensing authority.
Following the examination, the competent authorities inform the customs authorities, in accordance with the applicable
national procedures, of the existence, regularity and number of the licence. This information is required by the customs
authorities processing the customs declaration for release for free circulation. The importer mentions the licence number
on this declaration.
During examination of the licence, the competent authorities may request further information from the Cameroon issuing
authorities, in order to confirm the existence and regularity of the licence.
They may also decide to undertake controls to determine whether the shipment itself conforms to the information in the
licence (this is termed a ‘physical inspection’).

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If a physical inspection is decided upon, the authorities of the Member State endeavour to undertake their controls at the
same time and in the same place, so that they only need to inspect the shipment once.
If a physical inspection is undertaken, the volume and net weight of the shipment are deemed to conform to the
information in the licence where the volume or net weight of the timber and derived products in the shipment does
not vary by more than 10 % from the volume or net weight stated in the corresponding licence.
IV. Summary flowchart
The flowchart below shows the procedure for release for free circulation in the Union of timber and derived products
exported from Cameroon and accompanied by a FLEGT licence.

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ANNEX V
REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUING FLEGT LICENSES
CHAPTER 1
FORMALITIES FOR THE ISSUE OF LICENCES
Article 1
1.
The FLEGT licence is the document issued by the devolved departments of the Ministry responsible for forests at the
exit points from Cameroon identified for this purpose.
2. The FLEGT licences shall be signed by the FLEGT licence issuing authorities designated for that purpose.
3. The
FLEGT
licence
issuing
authorities
are
those
responsible
for
the
structures
identified;
they
may
be:
— the regional representatives,
— the departmental representatives,
— the managers of the control and hunting posts.
Article 2
The FLEGT licence shall be issued on the basis of a file comprising the following documents:
— a stamped application, detailing:
— the surnames, first names, nationality, profession and domicile of the person applying for the licence, if this is a
natural person,
— the company name, registered office, name of the chief executive, if this is a legal entity,
— a copy of the inherently valid certificate of legality of the title from which the timber originates,
— a specification bulletin of the timber or timber and derived products to be exported.
Article 3
1. A FLEGT licence issued at the point of lading certifies the legality of the timber and timber products (with respect to
the legality matrix, traceability and the national forestry and wildlife system) and permits them to be exported to the
Union market.
2. The
procedure
involves:
— the ongoing transmission of virtual information or secure documents between the forestry entities and the competent
forestry departments (documentary traceability),
— the online exchange of information between the central department responsible for legality at Yaoundé and the
devolved departments of the Ministry responsible for forests, using a single use numbering system and automatic
recording in the central database (computer system administering forestry information – SIGIF II and electronic
traceability).
CHAPTER 2
TAXES
Article 4
Every FLEGT licence issued shall give rise to the payment of a FLEGT stamp; the amount and methods for the use such
stamps shall be laid down in a specific act drawn up by the Minister responsible for forests.
CHAPTER 3
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO FLEGT LICENCES
Article 5
1. A
FLEGT
licence
may
be
paper-based
or
an
electronic
licence.

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2. Both
paper-based
and
electronic
licences
shall
contain
the
particulars
specified
in
Appendix
1,
in
accordance
with
the explanatory notes set out in Appendix 2.
Article 6
1. The FLEGT licence shall be valid for a single shipment from its issue date.
2. The period of validity of the FLEGT licence shall not exceed 6 months. The date of expiry shall be indicated in the
licence.
3. After
its
expiry,
the
FLEGT
licence
shall
be
considered
as
void.
The
licensing
authority
may
decide
to
extend
the
period of validity by 3 months. To that end the licensing authority shall correct and validate the new expiry date.
4. A FLEGT licence shall cease to be valid and will be returned to the licensing authority if the timber and derived
products concerned have deteriorated prior to their shipment.
Article 7
Paper-based licences shall conform to the format set out in Appendix 1.
Article 8
1. The FLEGT licence shall be made out using a form adopted by the Parties and described in Appendices 1 and 2.
2. The
paper
size
shall
be
A4,
with
four
copies.
3. The colour of the paper used for the each copy of the form shall be as follows:
(a) white for the ‘Original, for the applicant’;
(b) orange for the 2nd copy ‘Copy for the Cameroon customs’;
(c) yellow for the 3rd copy ‘Copy for the EU customs’;
(d) green for the 4th copy ‘Copy for the archives of the issuing department’.
Article 9
1. The licences shall be completed using a typewriter or computer. They may also be completed by hand, provided the
forms are self-copying.
2. The stamps of the licensing authority shall be applied by means of a metal stamp, preferably made of steel.
However, an embossing press combined with letters or figures obtained by means of perforation may be substituted
for the licensing authority stamp. The licensing authority shall use any tamper-proof method to record the quantity
allocated in such a way as to make it impossible to insert figures or references.
3. The
licences
shall
be
printed
and
completed
in
English
or
French.
Article 10
1. The
licence
shall
be
drawn
up
in
quadruplicate.
2. The
first
copy
(white),
marked
‘Original’,
shall,
after
being
completed,
signed
and
stamped
by
the
licensing
authority,
be given to the applicant for submission to the competent authorities of the Member State of the Union in which the
shipment covered by that licence is declared for release for free circulation.
3. The second copy (orange), marked ‘Copy for Cameroon customs’, shall be given to the applicant for submission to
the Cameroon customs authorities.
4.
The third copy (yellow) marked ‘copy for EU customs’ shall be given to the applicant for submission to the customs
authorities of the Member State of the Union in which the shipment covered by the licence is declared for release for free
circulation.
5. The fourth copy (green) marked ‘Copy for the archives of the issuing department’ shall be archived by the licensing
department.

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CHAPTER 4
FLEGT LICENCE LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED
Article 11
1. In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of the original or the copies for customs, the importer or his authorised
representative may apply to the licensing authority for a replacement on the basis of the document in his possession.
2. In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of both the original and the copies for customs the applicant or his
authorised representative may apply to the licensing authority for a replacement of both.
3. The licensing authority shall issue the replacement(s) within 1 month following receipt of the request from the
applicant.
4. The replacements shall contain the information and entries appearing on the licence they replace, including the
licence number.
5. The
replacement
licence
shall
bear
the
word
‘DUPLICATE’.
6. If the lost or stolen licence is retrieved, it shall not be used and must be returned to the licensing authority.
PROCEDURES IN THE EVENT OF RESERVATIONS REGARDING THE AUTHENTICITY OF A LICENCE
Article 12
1. In the event of reservations regarding the regularity of a FLEGT licence or of its replacement, the competent
authority in the Union shall ask the licensing authority for verification. Only the response from the licensing
authority shall be authoritative.
2. If it considers it necessary, the licensing authority may ask the competent authority to send it a copy of the licence
or the replacement in question.
3. If the licensing authority considers it necessary, it shall withdraw the licence and issue a corrected copy bearing the
references of the cancelled document, which it shall transmit to the competent authority of the Union.
4. If the validity of the licence is confirmed, the licensing authority shall notify the competent authority of this,
preferably electronically, and return the copies of the licence.
5. The
copies
thus
returned
shall
bear
the
endorsement
‘Validated
on
…’
validated/authenticated
by
stamp.
6. In the event that the licence in question is not valid, the licensing authority shall notify the competent authority of
the Union thereof, preferably by electronic means.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS WITH REGARD TO A COMPUTERISED FLEGT LICENCE
Article 13
1. The
FLEGT
licence
may
be
issued
and
used
by
means
of
computerised
systems.
2. In the Member States of the Union which are not linked to the computerised system, a paper-based licence shall be
made available.

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APPENDICES
1. Licence form
2. Explanatory notes
NB: the forms must bear Cameroon’s coat of arms and stamps

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Appendix 1
FORMAT OF THE FLEGT LICENCE

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Appendix 2
EXPLANATORY NOTES
GENERAL DETAILS
— Complete in capital letters.
— Where mentioned, ISO codes refer to the international standard two-letter country code.
Box 1 Licensing
body State
the
name
and
address
of
the
licensing
authority.
Box 2 Reference
of
the
certificate
Space reserved for the licensing country.
of legality
Box 3 FLEGT
licence
number State
the
licence
number.
Box 4 Expiry
date
Period of validity of the licence.
Box 5 Country
of
export This
refers
to
the
partner
country
from
where
the
timber
and
derived
products were exported to the Union.
Box 6 ISO
code State
the
two-letter
code
for
the
partner
country
referred
to
in
box
5.
Box 7 Means
of
transport
State the means of transport to the point of export.
Box 8 Licensee State
the
name
and
address
of
the
exporter.
Box 9 Commercial
designation
State the commercial designation of the timber and derived products.
Box 10 HS
heading
and
description State the four or six digit product code produced in accordance with the
Harmonised commodity description and coding system.
Box 11 Common
or
scientific
names State the common or scientific names of the categories of timber used in
the product. If more than one category of timber is used in a product, use
a separate line for each category. Optional in the case of composite
products or components that contain more than one unidentifiable
category (e.g. particle boards).
Box 12 Country
of
harvest
State the countries where the categories of timber referred to in box 10
were harvested. If more than one category is used in the product, indicate
all sources of timber used. Optional in the case of composite products or
components that contain more than one unidentifiable category.
Box 13 ISO
codes
State the ISO codes of the countries referred to in box 12. Optional in the
case of composite products or components that contain more than one
unidentifiable category.
Box 14 Volume
(m 3 ) State
the
overall
volume
in
m 3 . Optional, unless the information referred
to in box 15 has been omitted.
Box 15 Net
weight
State the total weight in kg, namely the net weight of the timber and
derived products without immediate containers or any packaging, other
than bearers, spacers, stickers, etc. Optional, unless the information
referred to in box 14 has been omitted.
Box 16 Number
of
units State
the
number
of
units,
where
a
manufactured
product
is
best
quantified in this way. Optional.
Box 17 Distinguishing
marks State
any
distinguishing
marks
where
appropriate,
e.g.
batch
number,
bill
of lading number. Optional.
Box 18 Signature
and
stamp
of
The box must be signed by the authorised official and stamped with the
licensing authority
official stamp of the licensing authority. The place and date must also be
stated.

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ANNEX VI
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM AUDIT
I. Introduction
In connection with the implementation of this Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), the Union and Cameroon agree
on the need for independent auditing in order to check the performance and efficiency of the FLEGT licensing scheme.
II. Main tasks
The Independent System Audit (ISA) will cover the following operations:
1. Auditing the Legality Assurance System (LAS)
— verifying the conformity of the allocation process for the different types of title
— Human resources and capacities
— Award procedure for the different types of title
— Verifying (based on sampling) the licences for the different types of title
— Title registration system
— Integrating the titles into the computer system administering forestry information (SIGIF II)
— If necessary, verifying the registration of the guarantee in the Public Revenue department
— Publishing licences
— Evaluating the system for the issue of certificates of legality
— Human resources and capacities
— Procedure for issuing certificates of legality (application of the legality matrix)
— Verifying (based on sampling) the certificates of legality issued
— System for registering the certificates issued
— Use and function of the SIGIF II
— Field verification procedures (in the forest, en route and in the processing units)
— Registering the reports following field verification procedures
— Mechanism for recognising private certificates recognised on the basis of the principles, criteria and indicators
applicable in Cameroon and verification of their conformity with the requirements of the legality matrix
— Evaluating the traceability system
— Human resources and capacities
— Field control procedures (implementation of the national forestry and fauna control strategy)
— Evaluating control activities (including any field verifications that may be required)
— Registration at the individual stages of the traceability chain

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— Evaluating interaction between the individual systems: Computer system administering forestry information
(SIGIF II), Monitoring offences and IT management of forestry disputes (SIGICOF), Customs IT system
(SYDONIA) and Better monitoring of fiscal of return (MESURE)
— Evaluating harvesting/reconciliation of information along the supply chain
— Evaluating the FLEGT licensing scheme
— Human resources and capacities
— Licensing procedures
— Use and function of SIGIF II, SIGICOF, SYDONIA and MESURE
— Verifying (based on sampling) the FLEGT licences issued
— FLEGT licence registration system
— Production of statistics and other consolidated information.
2. Identifying deficiencies in the LAS and reporting them to the Joint Implementation Council.
3. Evaluating the effectiveness of any corrective measures taken to address failures identified in audit reports.
4. Evaluating the efficiency of the procedure established by the Union for release for free circulation of the products
covered by the FLEGT scheme within the Union market, and specifically:
— verification period,
— institutional problems between the competent authorities and the licensing authority.
5. Evaluating the monitoring system for timber in transit.
6. Examining the joint application of both Parties at any other point during implementation of the LAS.
III. Qualification required
The ISA must be undertaken under the responsibility of an independent organisation with a proven track record in
auditing and able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the forestry sector in Cameroon and/or the Congo Basin. It
must also have the following characteristics:
— not be directly involved in the management (logging, processing, timber trading, control) of the activities of the
forestry sector in Cameroon. Service providers under contract with the Cameroon government with respect to forestry
control are not eligible to carry out ISAs,
— not have any direct or indirect interests with respect to one of the actors in the forestry sector of Cameroon or of the
Union,
— have an internal quality system in accordance with the ISO 17021 system or equivalent,
— be able to demonstrate that its teams include experts in the fields of audits relating to forestry management, the
processing industry, traceability systems and knowledge of the Union market,
— be able to demonstrate that its teams include experts having sufficient experience in Cameroon and elsewhere in the
Congo Basin,
— the involvement of experts from the subregion is to be encouraged alongside the use of international experts.
IV. Methodology
The ISA must be undertaken using documented procedures.
— The ISA auditor must act in accordance with a documented management system, policies and procedures which meet
the requirements laid down in the internationally accepted good practice guide and made publicly available.

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— The ISA auditor will draw up an audit timetable based on the following frequency: 6 months following the effective
establishment of the assurance scheme, thereafter once a year after the initial period, subject to confirmation that the
schemes are functioning effectively.
— The ISA will take place, if possible, during the first quarter of the year.
— The documented procedures must serve as a guide for verifications based on the sampling of documents, registrations
and operations.
— All observations made during the audits must be documented.
— The observations made during the audit will culminate in the definition of the systemic problems encountered.
— The audit report must contain all relevant information on the programme and the findings made. An outline for the
audit report and summary report must be provided in the documented procedures.
— The ISA auditor sets up a system for receiving and dealing with complaints made against him.
V. Sources of information
The ISA must use all the available sources of information, in particular:
1. Reports of the permanent forestry control missions undertaken as part of the national forestry and fauna control
strategy (SNCFF).
2. Information from the Legality Assurance System (LAS) and its four components:
— verifying conformity of the title allocation process,
— verifying the system for the issue of certificates of legality,
— verifying the traceability system,
— verifying the licensing system.
3. The other administrations:
— customs,
— tax administration (forestry revenue securing program – PSRF).
4. Information from external control mechanisms:
— independent observation (IO) for controlling and monitoring forestry offences, which seeks to strengthen the
control capacities of the Ministry responsible for forests and provides independent sources of information on the
forestry sector,
— Société Générale de Surveillance (GSS) [supervisory company], responsible for physical inspection of timber logs in
order to secure customs revenue,
— private voluntary legality and traceability certification systems, recognised under the PCIs (principles, criteria and
indicators) applicable in Cameroon, and recognised sustainable management certificates (such as the ‘Forestry
Stewardship Council’ [FSC] label),
— other mechanisms for monitoring logging in Cameroon, which provide important information on illegal activities.
5. Field visits by third parties.
6. Information gathered from other organisations (specialist NGOs etc.).
7. Report from the competent Union authorities.

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8. All other sources of information deemed useful by the ISA.
9. Published audits from other countries that have established a FLEGT licensing scheme.
VI. Reports
Every ISA report will include:
(i) a complete report for the Parties containing all relevant information on the audit programme and on the operation of
the Legality Assurance System and the issuing of FLEGT licences;
(ii) a summary of the report, for the public, based on the full report and summarising the main conclusions and
deficiencies of the system that have been identified.
The ISA shall submit a preliminary report to the Joint Implementation Council through the Joint Monitoring Committee
of the Agreement. The associated comments will be sent to the ISA for finalisation of the report. The ISA must provide
all necessary information and responses to requests for clarification. The final report will be based on the preliminary
report, to which will be added any clarification provided by either Party, and any responses by the ISA to this
clarification. The ISA auditor will send the final report to the Council. If the Council gives a favourable opinion,
Cameroon will publish the report. ISA reports and any corrective action required will be discussed by the Council.
The ISA auditor is then notified of the corrective action to be taken.
VII. Recruitment rules
The ISA auditor will be selected in accordance with the rules in force in Cameroon. The Cameroon Government will
conclude a contract with the ISA, following consultation with the Union, and based on documented and transparent
selection procedures.

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ANNEX VII
PUBLISHED INFORMATION
1. The Parties undertake to ensure that the Agreement and the FLEGT licensing scheme are properly understood by all
the actors involved. Access to information on the objectives, implementation, monitoring and control will enable a
thorough understanding of the process to be gained, and all the actors to be involved, with a view to attaining all the
objectives of the Agreement. Such transparency will strengthen the image of Cameroon forestry products on the
Union market and will improve the investment climate for those companies exporting timber to the Union.
2. Information on the operations associated with the FLEGT licensing scheme will be set out in an annual report
published by the Joint Implementation Council (hereinafter referred to as the Council). To this end, the Joint
Monitoring Committee (JMC) will conduct regular joint mission in order to assess the efficiency of the agreement
and its impact. Based on information provided by both Parties, the annual report on the FLEGT licensing scheme
should include, in particular, information relating to:
(a) quantities of timber and derived products exported to the Union under the FLEGT licensing scheme according to
the relevant HS/CEMAC code headings and according to the EU Member State of destination;
(b) the number of FLEGT licences issued by Cameroon; progress made in achieving objectives and action to be taken
within a deadline specified in the Agreement and all matters relating to implementation of the Agreement;
(c) action preventing the export of timber and derived products of illegal origin to non-EU markets or sale thereof on
the national market;
(d) quantities of timber and derived products imported into Cameroon or having transited through Cameroon;
(e) the measures taken to prevent the import of timber and derived products of illegal origin in order to maintain the
integrity of the FLEGT licensing scheme;
(f) cases of non-compliance with the FLEGT licensing scheme in Cameroon and action taken in such cases;
(g) quantities of timber and derived products imported into the Union under the FLEGT licensing scheme, according
to the relevant HS/CEMAC code headings and according to the Member State of the Union into which import
took place;
(h) quantities of timber and derived products imported into the Union under the FLEGT licensing scheme, according
to countries of origin (to be provided by the Union);
(i) information on prices on the international market;
(j) number of FLEGT licences received by the Union;
(k) number of cases and quantities of timber and derived products involved where Article 10(1) and (2) ( 1 ) has been
applied.
3. The other data and reports will be published in order to give the actors involved access to useful information to enable
monitoring of implementation of the Agreement. This access to information must also enable the strengthening of
governance in the forestry sector. This information will be published on the websites of both Parties. More specifically,
the information will include the following elements:
Legal information
— Legality matrices
— All the existing legislative and regulatory references and rules set out in Annex II
— Texts of all laws and amendments applicable to the forestry sector
( 1 ) Article 10(1) and (2): Consultations on the regularity of the FLEGT licences: If there are any reservations regarding the regularity of a
licence, the competent authority concerned must contact the licensing authority to obtain the additional information.
If the licensing authority fails to reply within 21 calendar days of the date of receipt of the application, 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 by application of existing national legislation.
The licensing authority must be informed.

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— Forest Code (laws and regulatory texts)
— Implementing texts
— List of signed/ratified international conventions and agreements
— Text of the Agreement, its Annexes and subsequent amendments
— Employment Code and principal regulatory texts applicable to the forestry sector on this subject
— General Tax Code and finance laws
— List of private legality/durability certification schemes recognised by the Ministry responsible for forests
Information on production
— Total annual log production
— Annual authorised logging volumes, by species, title and company
— Annual volumes processed, by type of product, species and company
— Annual volumes of logs exported, by species (total and to the Union)
— Annual volumes of timber and derived products imported into Cameroon, and by country
— Annual volumes of timber sold at public auction
Information on allocation
— List of valid titles, with names of the companies to whom they have been allocated
— List of annual operating permits/annual logging certificates issued
— Location map of valid logging titles
— Location map for annual areas available for logging
— Official areas of valid logging titles and allocation price (annual forestry fee – RFA)
— Notices of various invitations to tender (cut timber sale, timber salvage licence, lumber permit etc.)
— Information on the pre-emptive right
— List of annual withdrawals of secure documents (DF10 worksite books and waybills)
— Results of the interministerial title allocation committee
— List of approved forestry companies (logging, processing, inventories, management)
— Notification of start of activities for timber salvage licences (ARB)
Information on management
— Mandate, rles and responsibilities of the ministerial departments responsible for management
— List of concessions under management
— List of communal forests and their areas
— Area of forestry concessions allocated

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— Area of forestry concessions involved in management (including annual operating plans and five year management
plans)
— Area of forestry concessions with approved management plan
— Area of certificated forestry concessions
— Documents relating to approved management plans
— Terms and conditions
— Environmental impact studies
Information on processing
— List of approved processing companies
— Location of processing units (actual addresses and/or geographical coordinates of the processing units)
— Processing capacities per processing unit (% of capacity actually used)
— Volume of plant entry per company
— Volume of plant departure per company
— Stock at year end
Information on exports
— Data on timber in transit
— Data on exports, by species, country and company
Information on the Legality Assurance System and monitoring
— Final description of the Legality Assurance System
— Procedures for granting certificates of legality and FLEGT licences
— National strategy and control rules
— Reports from the independent title allocation observer
— Report from the independent forestry control observer
— Reports from the control teams
— List of certificates of legality issued
— List of FLEGT licences issued
— Rejected certificate applications
— Rejected FLEGT licence applications
Information on audits
— Terms of Reference for the audits
— Auditor recruitment procedures
— Results of the audit

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— Complaints about the audit and their handling
— Introduction of corrective measures
Information on financial transactions
— List of forestry disputes (record of offences)
— Annual report on forestry revenue
— Annual payments of the annual forestry fee (RFA) by title
— List of payments of local and national taxes
— List of fines for offences
— List of disputes settled
Information on the institutional set-up
— Structure and functioning of the Joint Monitoring Committee
— Report of the Joint Monitoring Committee
— Structure and functioning of the National Monitoring Committee
— Report of the National Monitoring Committee
— Structure and functioning of the Interministerial Links Monitoring Committee
— Report of the Interministerial Links Monitoring Committee
— List of issuing authorities
— List of competent authorities
— Reports of competent authorities.
4. The Parties undertake to ensure transparency in the action taken in connection with the Agreement. With this in
mind, in the event of a specific request made by another actor in the sector, they will make accessible all information
they consider necessary.
5. The methods and channels used to publish the information in question must include the following elements:
— official reports,
— websites (MINFOF, EC, GLIN) ( 1 ),
— multi-actor implementation platform,
— public meetings,
— press conferences,
— films,
— radio and television.
( 1 ) Global Legal Information Network.

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ANNEX VIII
CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF THE LEGALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM (LAS)
This Agreement provides for the implementation of a Legality Assurance System (LAS) intended to guarantee that all
timber and derived products specified in the Agreement and exported from Cameroon to the Union are produced entirely
legally. The LAS should include:
— a definition of legally produced timber that lists the laws that must be complied with in order for a licence to be
issued,
— control of the supply chain to track timber from the forest to the point of export,
— verification of compliance with all elements of the definition of legality and control of the supply chain,
— the procedures for issuing certificates of legality and FLEGT licences, and finally,
— the independent audit to ensure that the system is working as intended.
The LAS will be subject to an independent technical evaluation before the licensing scheme becomes fully operational; the
Terms of Reference will be jointly agreed between the Parties, via the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) for the
Agreement. These evaluation criteria describe what the LAS is expected to produce and will provide the basis for the
Terms of Reference for the evaluation. The evaluation will be aimed in particular at:
— reviewing the system description with special focus on any revisions made after the Agreement was signed, and
— examining the functioning of the system in practice.
I. Definition of legality
Legally produced timber needs to be defined on the basis of the laws applicable in Cameroon. The definition used must
be unambiguous, objectively verifiable and operationally workable and, as a minimum, include those laws which cover:
Harvesting rights: granting of legal rights to harvest timber within legally gazetted boundaries.
Forestry operations: compliance with legal requirements regarding forest management including compliance with relevant
environmental and employment legislation.
Fees and taxes: compliance with legal requirements concerning taxes and fees directly related to timber harvesting and
harvesting rights.
Other users: respect for other parties’ legal tenure or rights of use of land and resources that may be affected by timber
harvesting rights, where such other rights exist.
Trade and customs: compliance with legal requirements for trade and customs procedures.
Is it clear what legal instrument underpins each element of the definition?
Are criteria and indicators that can be used to test compliance with each element of the definition specified?
Are the criteria/indicators clear, objective and operationally workable?
Do the indicators and criteria clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of the various parties and does verification
assess performance of all relevant parties?
Does the definition of legality include the main areas of existing law outlined above? If not: why were certain areas of law
left out of the definition?
In drawing up the definition, did the parties concerned consider all the main areas of applicable law?
Does the legality control system incorporate the main legal provisions identified through prior discussion between the
various parties involved?

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Has the definition of legality and the legality control matrix been amended since the Agreement was concluded? Have
indicators and criteria been defined to ensure verification of these changes?
II. Control of the supply chain
Systems to control the supply chain must provide credible assurance that timber products can be traced throughout the
supply chain from harvesting or point of import to the point of export. It will not always be necessary to maintain
physical traceability for a log, log load or timber product from the point of export back to the forest of origin, but it is
always needed between the forest and the first point of mixing (e.g. a timber terminal or a processing facility).
II a. Logging rights
There is clear delineation of areas where forest resource rights have been allocated and the holders of those rights have
been identified.
Does the control system ensure that only timber originating from a forest area with valid and permissible rights of use
enters the supply chain?
Does the control system ensure that enterprises carrying out harvesting operations have been issued appropriate logging
rights for the forest areas concerned?
Have the procedures for issuing logging rights and information on issued logging rights and their holders been published?
II b. Systems for controlling the supply chain
There are effective mechanisms for tracing timber throughout the supply chain from harvesting to the point of export.
The approach for identifying timber may vary, ranging from the use of labels for individual items to reliance on
documentation accompanying a load or batch. The selected method must reflect the type and value of the timber and
the risk of contamination with illegal or unverified timber.
Are all the supply chain alternatives identified and described in the control system?
Are all stages in the supply chain identified and described in the control system?
Are methods defined and documented to (a) identify the product origin and (b) prevent mixing with timber from
unknown sources in the subsequent stages of the supply chain?
— timber in the forest,
— transport,
— interim storage,
— arrival at the primary processing facility,
— processing facilities,
— interim storage,
— transport,
— arrival at point of export?
Which organisations are in charge of controlling the timber flows? Do they have adequate human and other resources for
carrying out the control activities?
Is there a protocol for verifying the results of the control procedures set up and applied?
Are the application procedures clearly defined and communicated to all interested parties?

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II c. Quantities
There are robust and effective mechanisms for measuring and recording the quantities of timber or timber products at
each stage of the supply chain, including reliable and accurate pre-harvest estimates of the volume of standing timber in
each harvesting site.
Does the control system produce quantitative data of inputs and outputs at the following stages of the supply chain?
— standing timber,
— logs in the forest,
— transported and stored timber,
— arrival at the primary processing facility,
— control within the processing facilities,
— arrival at point of export?
Which organisations are responsible for feeding the quantitative data into the control system? How are these
organisations linked? Are the staff of these organisations given standard training in data management?
What is the quality of the controlled data?
If different organisations are responsible, how is it ensured that control performance and data management are conducted
in the same way in each organisation?
II d. Data gathering
All data is recorded in a way which makes it possible to reconcile it with the prior and subsequent links in the chain in a
timely manner. Reliable reconciliation is carried out for the entire supply chain.
Is all quantitative data recorded in a way which makes it possible to quickly reconcile quantities with the prior and
subsequent stages in the supply chain?
Are there methods to assess coherence between inputs of raw materials and outputs of processed products at sawmills
and other plants?
Is reliable reconciliation by individual item or by batch of timber products possible throughout the supply chain?
What information systems and technologies are applied for storing and reconciliation of data and for recording it? Are
there robust systems in place for securing the data?
How is unauthorised access to the system avoided (system security)?
How is the viability of the security systems guaranteed?
Which organisation is responsible for data reconciliation? Does it have adequate human and other resources for carrying
out the data management activities?
What information on the supply chain control is made publicly available?
How can the interested parties access this information?
II e. Mixing of legally verified timber with timber approved elsewhere
If mixing of logs or timber from verified legal sources with logs or timber from other sources is allowed, there are
sufficient controls in place to exclude timber from unknown sources or which was harvested without legal logging rights.
Does the control system allow verified timber to be mixed with other approved timber (e.g.: with imported timber or
timber originating from a forest area where clear legal harvesting rights have been granted, but that is still not covered by
the full verification process)?

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What control measures are applied in these cases? For example, do controls ensure that verified output volumes declared
do not exceed total verified input volumes at each stage?
What are the conditions for introducing into the supply chain confiscated timber sold at public auction, and is there a
viable verification procedure?
II f. Imported timber products
There are adequate controls to ensure that imported timber and derived products have been legally imported.
How is the legality of imports of timber and derived products demonstrated?
What evidence is required to demonstrate that imported products originate from trees harvested legally in a third
country?
Does the LAS identify imported timber and timber products throughout the supply chain?
Where imported timber is used, can the country of origin be identified on the FLEGT licence, including that of
components in composite products?
Does the use of barcodes on imported timber guarantee that only forestry products that have been legally logged and
processed will be exported with a FLEGT licence? (For example, what happens to imported timber after the initial
processing stage, how is the mark applied, how will the mark be altered after the subsequent processing stages)?
III. Verification
Verification provides adequate checks to ensure the legality of timber. It must be sufficiently robust and effective to ensure
that any non-compliance with requirements, either in the forest or within the supply chain, is identified and corrective
action is taken in good time.
III a. Organisation
Verification is carried out by a government, a third-party organisation or some combination of these, which has adequate
resources, management systems and skilled and trained personnel, as well as robust and effective mechanisms to control
conflicts of interest.
Has the government appointed a body or bodies to undertake the verification tasks? Is the mandate (including associated
responsibilities) clear and in the public domain?
Are the responsibilities clearly allocated and are the required competences associated with the responsibilities clearly
defined; how are they implemented?
How do the departments responsible for verifying legality guarantee the highest possible level of rationalised collaboration
and data management between the administrations involved in forestry sector control (MINEP – MINFI etc.)?
Does the verification body have adequate resources for carrying out the verification of the legality definition and the
systems for controlling the timber supply chain?
Does the verification body have a fully documented management system that:
— ensures adequate competence/experience for the personnel of the verification body,
— applies internal control/supervision,
— includes mechanisms to control conflicts of interest,
— ensures transparency of the system,
— defines and applies verification methodology,
— uses a publicly accessible complaints management system?

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III b. Verification against the definition of legality
There is a clear definition setting out what has to be verified. The verification methodology is documented and ensures
that the process is systematic, transparent, evidence-based, carried out at regular intervals and covers everything included
within the definition.
Does the verification methodology cover all elements of the legality definition and include tests of compliance with all
specified indicators?
Does verification require:
— checks of documentation, operating records and field operations (including spot checks),
— collection of information from external interested parties,
— recording of verification activities that allows checking by internal auditors and the independent monitor?
Are institutional roles and responsibilities clearly defined and applied?
Are the verification results against the definition of legality made publicly available? How can the interested parties access
this information?
III c. Verification of systems for controlling the supply chain
There is a clear scope setting out what has to be verified, which covers the entire supply chain from harvesting to export.
The verification methodology is documented and ensures that the process is systematic, transparent, evidence-based,
carried out at regular intervals and covers everything included within the scope, and includes regular and timely
reconciliation of data between each stage in the chain.
Does the verification methodology fully cover checks on supply chain controls?
Is this clearly spelt out in verification methodology?
What evidence is there to demonstrate application of verification of supply chain controls?
Are institutional roles and responsibilities clearly defined and applied?
Are the verification results on supply chain control made publicly available? How can the interested parties access this
information?
III d. Non-compliance
There is an effective and functioning mechanism for requiring and enforcing appropriate corrective action where offences
are identified.
Does the verification system define the above requirement?
Have mechanisms been developed for handling non-compliance? Are these applied in practice?
Are there adequate records available on the offences identified and corrective action taken? Is the effectiveness of
corrective actions evaluated?
What information on identified breaches goes into the public domain?
IV. Licensing
Cameroon has assigned a licensing authority overall responsibility for issuing FLEGT licences. FLEGT licences are issued
on the basis of either individual shipments or forestry entities.
IV a. Organisation
What body is assigned responsibility for issuing FLEGT licences?
Are the roles of the licensing authority and its personnel with regard to issuing of FLEGT licences clearly defined and
publicly available?
Are the competence requirements defined and internal controls established for the personnel of the licensing authority?

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Does the licensing authority have adequate resources for carrying out its task?
IV b. Issuing of FLEGT licences
Does the licensing authority have documented procedures for issuing licences?
Are these publicly available, including any fees payable?
What evidence is there that these procedures are properly applied in practice?
Are there adequate records available on licences issued and refused?
Do the records clearly show the evidence on which the issuing of licences is based?
IV c. Consignment-based licences
Is the licensing based on an individual consignment?
Has the legality of an export consignment been demonstrated through government verification and traceability systems?
Are the requirements for issuing licences clearly specified and available to the exporter?
Do exporters fully understand the criteria for the issue of FLEGT licences?
What information on issued licences goes into the public domain?
V. Instructions on the independent system audit
The Independent System Audit (ISA) is a function that is independent of Cameroon’s forestry sector regulatory bodies. It
aims to provide credibility to the FLEGT licensing scheme by checking that all aspects of the LAS are operating as
intended.
V a. Institutional arrangements
Designation of authority: Cameroon has formally authorised the ISA function and allows it to operate in an effective and
transparent way.
Independence from other elements of the LAS: There is a clear separation between organisations and individuals that are
involved in management or regulation of the forest resource and those involved in the independent audit.
— Does the government have documented requirements for the independence of the independent auditor?
— Do provisions state that organisations or individuals from both Parties having a commercial interest or an institutional
role in the forestry sector are not eligible to perform the independent auditor function?
Designation of the independent auditor: The independent auditor was appointed through a transparent mechanism and
there are clear and publicly-available rules regarding his actions.
— Has the government made the terms of reference for the independent auditor publicly available?
— Has the government documented the procedures for appointing the independent auditor and made them publicly
available?
Establishing a mechanism for handling complaints: there is a mechanism for handling complaints and disputes that arise
from the independent audit. This mechanism makes it possible to deal with any complaint relating to the operation of the
licensing scheme.
— Is there a documented mechanism for handling complaints that is available to all interested parties?
— Is it clear how complaints are received, documented, escalated (where necessary) and responded to?
V b. The independent auditor
Organisational and technical requirements: the independent auditor is independent of the other components of the
Legality Assurance System and operates in accordance with a documented management structure, policies and procedures
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— Does the independent auditor operate in accordance with a documented management system that meets the
requirements of ISO Guide 17021 or similar standards?
Methodology of the audit: the methodology of the independent audit is evidence-based and verifications are carried out at
specific and frequent intervals.
— Does the methodology specify basing all findings on objective evidence concerning the functioning of the LAS?
— Does the methodology of the independent audit specify the maximum intervals at which each element of the LAS will
be verified?
Scope of the audit: The independent auditor operates according to terms of reference that clearly specify what has to be
audited and that cover all agreed requirements for the issuing of FLEGT licences.
— Does the methodology of the independent audit cover all elements of the LAS and specify the main tests of effec
tiveness?
Reporting requirements: The ISA auditor shall submit a preliminary report to the Joint Implementation Council (Council)
through the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the Agreement. The reports of the independent auditor and any
corrective action required will be discussed in the JMC.
— Do the independent auditor’s terms of reference specify the reporting requirements and reporting intervals?
— Do the terms of reference of the auditor and the procedures of the JMC describe the publication process for audit
results?
VI. The Evaluation criteria of the system established in the Union to accept FLEGT licences
The FLEGT Regulation and its application measures lay down procedures for establishing the FLEGT licensing scheme,
including procedures to enable verification that the Cameroon timber products intended for release for free circulation
within the Union are properly covered by a FLEGT licence. These procedures also require the Member States of the Union
to designate a competent authority to take on this responsibility.
Since these are new measures introduced specifically to implement the FLEGT scheme, the evaluation will examine the
degree of preparedness of the Union as regards verification of the FLEGT licences.
Have the competent authorities been identified in each Member State of the Union? Has this information been made
public?
Have the procedures for processing the FLEGT licences been established in every Member State of the Union? Have these
procedures been made public?
Have appropriate legislation and regulations been established where deemed necessary by the Member States of the
Union?
Have the means of communication between the competent authorities and the customs authorities been determined?
Have procedures been established to enable the Union, or any person or body designated by the European Union, to gain
access to relevant documents and data and to avoid any problems arising that could hamper the proper functioning of
the FLEGT licensing scheme?
Have procedures been established to enable the independent auditor to gain access to all relevant documents and data?
Have reporting methods been negotiated between the Member States of the Union and the European Commission? Have
publication procedures for these reports been drawn up and adopted?
Do procedures cover cases where goods accompanied by a FLEGT licence are not accepted? Have procedures been
established to report any contradictions in the licences and to deal with offences?
Has the information relating to fines in various offence scenarios been published?

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6.4.2011 Off
ANNEX IX
SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT
Activities Secondary
activities Yr
1
(1 ) Yr
2 Yr
3 Yr
4 Yr
5 Yr
6 Yr
7 Yr
8
Preparatory phase Operational
phase
1
EN

1.1. Preparation
of
a
communication
plan
x
1.2. Evaluation
and
readjustment
of
the
communication
plan
x
x
x
1.3. Implementation
of
the
communication
plan
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
1. Raising awareness and
providing information
1.4. Establishment of an exchange platform between COMIFAC
x
x
x
among actors and the
countries
public
1.5. Communication
activities
designed
to
inform
international
opinion
x
x
x
icial
Jour
1.6 Promotional
campaigns
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
nal
1.7. Raising awareness of the actors in relation to elements of the LVP
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
of
the
2.1. Preparation of a promotional plan/feasibility study for a ‘FLEGT
x
x
European
Cameroon’ label
2.2. Labelling
‘FLEGT
Cameroon’
products
x
Union
2. Promotion of ‘FLEGT 2.3. Label
protection
and
management
x
x
x
x
x
Cameroon’ products on
the Union market
2.4. Promotion
of
‘FLEGT
Cameroon’
products
on
targeted
markets
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2.5. Raising
awareness
among
the
European
public
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2.6. Promotion
of
the
LAS
in
other
international
markets
(USA,
China
x
x
x
x
x
x
etc.)
3.1. Organisation
of
the
central
structure
x
x
3.2. Organisation
of
the
peripheral
structures
(Douala,
Kribi
etc.)
x
x
3. Institutional
arrangements
3.3. Establishment and function of the Council and the Joint Monitoring
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Committee (JMC) of the Agreement
L
92/113
3.4. Establishment and function of the National Monitoring Committee
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
of the Agreement

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L 92/114
Activities Secondary
activities Yr
1
(1 ) Yr
2 Yr
3 Yr
4 Yr
5 Yr
6 Yr
7 Yr
8
Preparatory phase Operational
phase
1
4.1. Preparation
of
a
training
plan
(identification
of
the
actors
involved
x
and design of a matrix enabling determination of the objectives of
the training and campaigns to be undertaken, including an estimate
of the costs involved)
EN

4.2. Implementation
of
the
training
plan
x
x
x
4. Capacity building
4.3. Definition
of
equipment
and
logistical
tools
x
x
4.4. Acquisition
of
equipment
and
logistical
tools
x
x
4.5. Putting
equipment,
logistical
tools
and
maintenance
into
service
x
x
Off
5.1. Review
of
forestry
law
and
its
implementing
texts
x
x
icial
Jour
5.2. Improvement of the legal framework relating to the domestic timber
x
x
x
nal
market
of
the
5.3. Improvement
of
the
legal
framework
relating
to
forests
(community,
x
x
x
communal and private forests)
European
5. Reform of the legal 5.4. Improvement
of
the
legal
framework
relating
to
social
and
environ
x
x
x
framework
mental aspects
Union
5.5. Integration of the relevant provisions of international legal
x
x
x
instruments duly ratified by Cameroon
5.6. Any
necessary
readjustment
of
the
legality
matrix
x
5.7. Improvement of the legal framework in relation to the industrial
x
x
x
isation of the forestry sector and advanced processing
6.1. Developing
a
system
for
planning
the
control
actions
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
6.2. Establishment of procedures for the control operations, in
x
x
x
6. Improvement of the
accordance with the legality assurance procedures
national control system
6.3. Development
of
measures
to
improve
governance
x
x
x
6.4.2011
6.4. Function of the national control system feeding into the SIGIF II
x
x
x
x
x
x

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6.4.2011 Off
Activities Secondary
activities Yr
1
(1 ) Yr
2 Yr
3 Yr
4 Yr
5 Yr
6 Yr
7 Yr
8
Preparatory phase Operational
phase
1
7.1. Development
of
the
traceability
system
x
x
7.2. Establishment of the link between the databases of the various
x
x
ministries involved and the mechanises for the exchange of data
EN
with the CEMAC countries

7.3. Updating
the
inventory
rules
x
x
7.4. Testing
of
the
pilot
system
(operationalisation)
x
x
7.5. Acquisition of materials and equipment (identifiers, identifier
x
x
readers, computers) for extension of the system to national level
7.6. Consolidation
and
extension
of
the
system
to
national
level:
estab
x
x
7. Establishment of the
lishment and equipment of control posts along the supply chains,
traceability system
including border posts (infrastructure, computers, Internet links,
icial
etc.)
Jour
7.7. Strengthening the capacity of the actors (MINFOF and other admin
x
x
x
istrations involved, private sector and civil society), with geo-
nal
referenced inventories, use of databases etc.
of
the
7.8. Training of staff involved (legality unit and control posts), private
x
x
x
sector and civil society
European
7.9. Function
of
the
traceability
system
x
x
x
x
x
Union
7.10. Data gathering and processing
x
x
x
x
x
7.11. Equipment maintenance
x
x
x
x
x
8.1. Continued
development
and
field
tests
of
the
legality
matrices
x
x
x
8.2. Development
of
detailed
procedures
for
verifying
the
legality
of
the
x
x
x
forestry entity
8.3. Training
and
raising
awareness
on
the
procedures
for
verifying
the
x
x
legality of the forestry entity
8. Establishment of the
scheme for verifying the 8.4. Recognition and publication of the approved private certification
x
x
x
legality of the forestry
schemes
entity
8.5. Testing
the
system
for
the
issue
of
certificates
of
legality
x
8.6. Evaluation of the function of verification of the legality of the
x
x
x
L
forestry entity, together with any necessary corrective measures
92/115
8.7. Issue
of
certificates
of
legality
x
x
x
x
x
x

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L 92/116
Activities Secondary
activities Yr
1
(1 ) Yr
2 Yr
3 Yr
4 Yr
5 Yr
6 Yr
7 Yr
8
Preparatory phase Operational
phase
1
9.1. Development of detailed procedures for the issue of FLEGT licences
x
x
9.2. Raising awareness of the procedures for issuing FLEGT licences
x
x
x
within the private sector
EN
9. Establishment of the 9.3. Establishment of contacts with the competent Union authorities
x
x
x

system for the issue of
FLEGT licences
9.4. Feasibility
study
on
the
issue
of
electronic
FLEGT
licences
x
x
9.5. Testing
the
system
for
the
issue
of
FLEGT
licences
x
x
9.6. Issue
of
FLEGT
licences
x
x
x
x
x
10.1. Recruitment of the independent auditor and development of
x
detailed methodology
Off
10.2. First independent audit (6 months after launch)
x
icial
10.3. Second independent audit (12 months after launch)
x
Jour
10. Independent audits of the
system
10.4. Third independent audit (2 years after launch)
x
nal
of
10.5. Fourth independent audit
x
the
10.6. Fifth independent audit
x
European
10.7. Sixth independent audit
x
11.1. Monitoring the domestic timber market
x
x
x
11. Monitoring the domestic
Union
timber market (MIB)
11.2. Establishment of a statistic-gathering system
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
12.1. Completion of an inventory of the timber sector in Cameroon and
x
of the consumption of timber-based products on the Cameroon
market
12.2. Consultation with professionals (informal or otherwise)
x
12.3. Analysis of the dynamics and of requirements
x
x
12.4. Preparation of plan for the evaluation, industrial development and
x
x
12. Industrialisation
and
more advanced processing of timber
marketing
12.5. Preparation of processing rules
x
x
12.6. Preparation of incentives for the use of timber (quality standards,
x
x
promotion of new products)
6.4.2011
12.7. Characterisation and promotion of lesser known species
x
x
x
x
x
x
12.8. Encouragement of technology transfer
x
x
x
x
x
x

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6.4.2011 Off
Activities Secondary
activities Yr
1
(1 ) Yr
2 Yr
3 Yr
4 Yr
5 Yr
6 Yr
7 Yr
8
Preparatory phase Operational
phase
1
13.1. Definition and monitoring of social indicators
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
13.2. Establishment of a system for monitoring confiscated timber
x
volumes
EN

13.3. Establishment of the system for monitoring socioeconomic and
x
environmental impact
13.4. Evaluation of the socioeconomic impact halfway through imple
x
x
x
mentation of the Agreement
13. Monitoring the impacts
of the Agreement
13.5. Monitoring the growth in forestry sector revenue
x
x
x
x
x
x
13.6. Strengthening the mechanism for permanent monitoring of
x
x
x
x
x
vegetation cover (monitoring permanent plots of land, satellite
icial
images etc.)
Jour
13.7. Impact studies in relation to: illegal logging, market access, revenue
x
x
x
x
growth, timber exports, of confiscated timber quantities
nal
of
13.8. Monitoring developments in relation to fines and court cases
x
x
x
x
x
x
the
European
14.1. Development a fund mobilisation strategy
x
x
14. Seeking
additional
financing
14.2. Development of programmes and funding agencies
x
x
x
x
x
Union
(1 ) Year 1 begins as from the signature of the Agreement.
L
92/117

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L 92/118
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
ANNEX X
SUPPORTING MEASURES AND FINANCING MECHANISMS
I. Financing mechanisms
A large proportion of the activities required for implementation of the Agreement is already included under the sector
reforms introduced by the Cameroon Government, which are identified as some of the priority activities to be undertaken
by the Forest and Environment Sector Programme (PSFE). As a result, their financing is assured through the instruments
identified under that programme, in particular:
(a) for funds provided by Cameroon itself:
— the national budget,
— the Special Forestry Development Fund (FSDF),
(b) for contributions by the partners:
— the Common Fund,
— budgetary support.
However, additional financial resources are needed for some actions that are specific to the Agreement, hence the need to
seek resources elsewhere:
— from the development partners: the support of the Union via the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) and other
mechanisms to be identified,
— internally: the introduction of a tax.
These additional funds must be mobilised in accordance with the Forest and Environment Sector Programme.
II. Supporting measures
The implementation of actions more specific to the Agreement will require supporting measures in the following fields:
(a) capacity building;
(b) communication;
(c) promotion of FLEGT products on the Union market;
(d) monitoring the domestic timber market;
(e) industrialisation;
(f) monitoring
the
impact
of
the
Agreement;
(g) helping to monitor implementation of the Legality Assurance Scheme (LAS);
(h) modernising the traceability system;
(i) strengthening
the
national
control
system;
(j) the
Legality
Assurance
System;
(k) the system for issuing FLEGT licences;
(l) establishing
the
independent
audit;

---

EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/119
(m) reforms of the legal framework;
(n) seeking additional financing.
To this end, the Parties must ensure that adequate technical and financial support is in place, in order to enable the
Cameroon Government to implement the necessary actions.
II a. Capacity building
Justification
— Technical upgrade via the training of all the actors involved (administrations, private sector, civil society etc.)
— Increased equipment
— Increased logistical tools.
Planned action
— Preparation of a training plan (identification of the actors involved and design of a matrix enabling determination of
the objectives of the training and campaigns to be undertaken, including an estimate of the costs involved)
— Implementation of the training plan
— Definition of requirements as regards equipment and logistical tools
— Acquisition of equipment and logistical tools
— Ensuring the proper function of equipment and logistical tools.
Type of support
— Technical assistance
— Financial support for training
— Financial support for the acquisition of equipment and logistical tools.
II b. Communication
Justification
Communication is a very important element within the process leading to the implementation of the Agreement; it will:
— encourage involvement and guarantee the coherence of the contributions of the various actors,
— help to develop synergies between the member countries of the Central Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC),
— promote the image of Cameroon timber on the international market,
— ensure the support of public opinion for the action taken by the Cameroon Government to promote sustainable
forestry resource management and development of the communities that depend on it,
— promote the benefits of a voluntary partnership agreement among the actors involved and the public.
Planned action
— Preparation and implementation of a communication plan for raising public awareness inside and outside the MINFOF
— Establishment of an exchange platform between COMIFAC countries
— Communication work designed to inform international opinion (see Annex VII)
— Making the actors aware of the elements of the Agreement that will concern then, and helping them to adapt to the
new elements concerned

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L 92/120
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
— Making European public opinion aware of the efforts being made by the Cameroon Government to ensure good
governance in the forestry sector.
Type of support needed
— Financial funding
— Technical assistance and capacity building.
II c. Promotion of FLEGT products on the Union market
Justification:
— Strengthen confidence thanks to the credibility of the LAS
— Promote access to Cameroon timber on the Union markets
— Seek significant value added for Cameroon timber and timber products.
Planned action
— Feasibility study and, where necessary, establishing a ‘FLEGT Cameroon’ label
— Label protection and management
— Label promotion
— Raising the awareness of the individual Union markets of the legality assurance provided by the FLEGT licence.
Type of support
— Financial support
— Technical assistance and capacity building
— Promotional campaigns within the Union market.
II d. Monitoring the domestic timber market
Justification
— Control of the internal flow of timber within Cameroon
— Possibility of enhancing the contribution of the domestic timber market (MIB) to the national economy.
Planned action
— Organisation of the domestic timber market
— Improvement of the legal framework relating to the domestic timber market
— Establishment of a statistic-gathering system
— Establishment of a suitable traceability system.
Type of support
— Technical assistance and capacity building.
II e. Industrialisation
Justification
— Modernisation of the industrial fabric
— Diversification of production (2nd and 3rd level processing)
— Development of the national and regional markets and stimulation of local consumer of legal timber

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/121
— Improvement of the processing and by-product recovery processes
— Increase in the value added of timber sold for export
— Job creation, training of professionals and involvement in the fight against poverty.
Planned action
— Inventory of the timber sector in Cameroon and of the consumption of timber-based products on the Cameroon
market. In particular, analysis of the timber and construction sectors: status of knowledge and markets, status of use
of timber in the home, in particular in urban areas, training needs, promotion, development of a bioclimatic timber
habitat in Cameroon
— Consultation with professionals (information or otherwise)
— Analysis of the dynamics and of requirements
— Preparation of plan for the evaluation, industrial development and more advanced processing of timber, in accordance
with the Forest and Environment Sector Programme
— Preparation of processing rules
— Preparation of incentives for the use of timber (quality standards, promotion of new products), in accordance with the
Forest and Environment Sector Programme
— Promotion of lesser known species, in accordance with the Forest and Environment Sector Programme
— Improvement of the legal framework in relation to the industrialisation of the forestry sector
— Encouragement of technology transfer improvement of efficiency and returns: situation analysis, proposals for each
sub-sector.
Type of support
— Technical assistance and capacity building.
II f. Monitoring the impact of the Agreement
Justification
— Assessment of the impact of the Agreement on the social environment
— Assessment of the economic impact of the Agreement
— Assessment of the effects of the Agreement on the development of the vegetation cover.
Planned action
— Definition and monitoring of social indicators
— Establishment of a system for monitoring confiscated timber volumes
— Establishment of the system for monitoring socioeconomic and environmental impact
— Evaluation of the socioeconomic impact halfway through implementation of the Agreement
— Monitoring the growth in forestry sector revenue
— Strengthening the mechanism for permanent monitoring of vegetation cover (monitoring permanent plots of land,
satellite images etc.)
— Impact studies in relation to: illegal logging, market access, revenue growth, timber exports, of confiscated timber
quantities
— Monitoring developments in relation to fines and court cases.

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L 92/122
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
Type of support
— Technical assistance and capacity building.
II g. Helping to monitor implementation of the LAS
Justification
— Ensuring efficient operation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement process within Cameroon
— Guaranteeing the involvement of all the stakeholders.
Planned action
— Supporting the function of the national multi-actor monitoring committee, which includes all stakeholders
— Supporting the function of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) of the Agreement
— Establishing the information distribution mechanisms.
Type of support
— Technical assistance and capacity building
— Financial support to the participation of civil society.
II h. Modernising the traceability system
Justification
— Entry of all timber flows
— Details of the origin of every product
— Real-time availability of all information on production, tax, exports and disputes.
Planned action
— Finalising the description of the traceability system
— Extending the second generation computer system administering forestry information (SIGIF)
— Establishing the necessary equipment and the infrastructure
— Ensuring the proper functioning of the traceability system
— Data gathering and processing.
Type of support
— Technical assistance and capacity building
— Financial support for equipment acquisition.
II i. Strengthening the national control system
Justification
— Improving the efficiency of implementation of the national control system.
Planned action
— Developing a system for planning the control actions
— Drawing up procedures for the control operations
— Development of measures to improve governance.

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EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/123
Type of support
— Technical assistance and capacity building
— Renewing the independent observation mechanism.
II j. The Legality Assurance System
Justification
— Establishing the Legality Assurance System.
Planned action
— Continued development and field tests of the legality matrices
— Development of detailed procedures for the Legality Assurance System (LAS)
— Training and raising awareness on the LAS procedures
— Recognition and publication of the approved private certification schemes
— Testing the system for the issue of certificates of legality
— Evaluation of the function of the LAS, together with any necessary corrective measures.
Type of support
— Technical assistance and capacity building
— Financial support for equipment acquisition.
II k. The system for issuing FLEGT licences
Justification
— Establishing the system for the issue of FLEGT licences.
Planned action
— Development of detailed procedures for the issue of FLEGT licences
— Raising awareness of the procedures for issuing FLEGT licences within the private sector
— Establishing contacts with the competent European authorities
— Feasibility study on the issue of electronic FLEGT licences
— Testing the system for the issue of FLEGT licences.
Type of support
— Technical assistance and capacity building
— Financial support for equipment acquisition.
II l. Establishing the independent audit
Justification
— Guaranteeing the efficiency and credibility of the system for issuing FLEGT licences granted under the Agreement.
Planned action
— Regular completion of independent audits
— Monitoring corrective action taken in order to improve the system.

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L 92/124
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
6.4.2011
Type of support
— Financial support for completion of the audits.
II m. Reforms of the legal framework
Justification
— Improving the coherence of the legal framework applicable to the forestry sector
— Completing existing aspects that are inadequately structured or regulated.
Planned action
— Review of forestry law and its implementing texts
— Improvement of the legal framework relating to the domestic timber market
— Improvement of the legal framework relating to community, communal and private forests
— Improvement of the legal framework relating to social and environmental aspects
— Integration of the relevant provisions of international legal instruments duly ratified by Cameroon
— Any necessary readjustment of the legality matrix
— Improvement of the legal framework in relation to the industrialisation of the forestry sector and advanced processing.
Type of support
— Capacity building.
II n. Seeking additional financing
Justification
— Mobilising financial resources for realisation of priority actions specifically related to the Agreement, for which
funding is not yet available.
Planned action
— Take action to find donors.
Type of support
— Technical assistance.

---

EN
6.4.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
92/125
ANNEX XI
JOINT MONITORING COMMITTEE
In application of Article 19, the Parties shall establish a decision-making structure designated the ‘Joint Implementing
Council’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Council’) and a joint committee responsible for undertaking and facilitating
monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of an agreement, designated the ‘Joint Monitoring Committee’
(JMC). The JMC shall also facilitate dialogue and the exchange of information between the Parties. The JMC shall in
particular:
(a) regularly conduct joint missions to review the effectiveness of the implementation of the Agreement as well as its
impact, based on the information available;
(b) propose the date on which the FLEGT Licensing Scheme should be fully operational;
(c) examine the reports of the independent auditor and any complaint relating to the function of the FLEGT licensing
system within the territory of one or other of the Parties and complaints by third parties regarding the function of the
independent auditor, and propose action to be taken in order to resolve the questions raised by the system
independent audit (ISA);
(d) monitor, as necessary, action taken by the Parties in order to resolve the problems identified by the independent
auditor;
(e) ensure assessment of the social, economic and environmental impacts of the Agreement, in accordance with good
practice and criteria to be agreed by the Parties, and propose appropriate solutions to any problem identified by this
assessment;
(f) ensure that regular assessments of the implementation of the Agreement are carried out, including spot checks if
applicable;
(g) make recommendations, in order to help to attain the objectives of the Agreement, including capacity building and
the participation of the private sector and civil society;
(h) prepare an annual report, based on the information from the Parties, which it shall submit to the Council;
(i) ensure monitoring and reporting of the market situation at regular intervals, propose any necessary studies and
recommend action to take on the basis of the market analysis reports;
(j) examine the amendment proposals put forward by one or other of the Parties in relation to this Agreement or its
Annexes, following the procedures described in Article 29, and issue an amendment recommendation to the Council
for its consideration;
(k) deal with any other question associated with implementation of this Agreement, following a proposal by one or other
of the Parties;
(l) on the instruction of the Council, seek an acceptable solution, in the event of a difference of opinion between the
Parties, in relation to the application and/or interpretation of this Agreement, as described in Article 24.

---