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19.7.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
191/103
VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
between the European Union and the Central African Republic on forest law enforcement,
governance and trade in timber and derived products to the European Union (FLEGT)
THE EUROPEAN UNION, hereinafter ‘the Union’,
of the one part,
and
THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, hereinafter ‘the CAR’,
of the other part,
hereinafter referred to jointly as ‘the Parties’,
HAVING REGARD TO the close cooperation relations between the Union and the CAR, particularly the Partnership
Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, on the one hand, and the
European Community and its Member States, on the other, signed in Cotonou on 23 June 2000 ( 1 ), revised in
Luxembourg on 25 June 2005, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Cotonou Agreement’;
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 Commission to the Council 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;
REFERRING to the Ministers’ Yaoundé Declaration of 16 October 2003 on Forest Law Enforcement and Governance;
REFERRING to the 1992 Non-Legally Binding Authoritative Statement of Principles for a Global Consensus on the
management, conservation and sustainable logging of all types of forests, and the recent adoption by the United
Nations General Assembly of the Non-Legally Binding Instrument on all types of forest ( 4 );
AWARE of the importance of the sustainable forest management principles set out in the 1992 Rio de Janeiro
Declaration on Environment and Development in the context of the 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 peoples and other local communities in environmental management and
development;
REFERRING to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and, in
particular, the requirement that CITES export permits issued by the Parties for specimens of species listed in Annex I, II or
III be granted only under certain conditions, including that these specimens were not obtained in contravention of the
laws for the protection of fauna and flora;
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 development objectives agreed at international level and to the
UN Millennium Development Goals;
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 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
and in the other multilateral agreements in Annex IA of the Marrakesh Agreement of 15 April 1994 establishing the
World Trade Organisation (WTO), and the need to apply them in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner;
CONSIDERING the CAR’s desire to work for the sustainable management of its forest resources, in accordance with the
partnership objectives of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership of which it is a member, founded in January 2003 following
the World Summit on Sustainable Development held in Johannesburg in 2002, with the September 2003 Fora on Water,
Forests, Hunting and Fisheries, with international agreements and treaties, in particular the Treaty on the Conservation
and Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa and to establish the Central African Forests
Commission (COMIFAC) of 5 February 2005, and with Law 08.022 of 17 October 2008 on the Forestry Code in
the CAR;
( 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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CONSIDERING that the Central African Republic’s system for verifying the legality of timber and derived products applies
to all exports, and not only those destined for the Union,
HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
(f) ‘Licensing authority’: the authority designated by the CAR to
issue and validate FLEGT licences;
Objective
In accordance with the common commitment of the Parties to
sustainably manage all types of forest, the objective of this
(g) ‘Competent authorities’: the authorities designated by the
Agreement is to provide a legal framework aimed at ensuring
Member States of the European Union to receive, accept
that all imports into the European Union from the CAR of the
and verify FLEGT licences;
timber and derived products covered by this Agreement have
been legally produced or acquired and, this being so, to
promote the trade in said timber and derived products.
(h) ‘Shipment’: a quantity of timber and derived products
covered by a FLEGT licence that is sent by a consignor
and which is presented for release for free circulation at a
This Agreement also provides a basis for dialogue and
customs office in the Union;
cooperation between the Parties aimed at facilitating and
promoting its integral implementation and at strengthening
the enforcement of forest regulations and governance.
(i) ‘Timber that is legally produced or acquired’: harvested or
imported timber and derived products, produced in
accordance with the legislation specified in Annex II.
Article 2
Definitions
Article 3
For the purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions
shall apply:
FLEGT licensing scheme
1. A
Forest
Law
Enforcement,
Governance
and
Trade
(a) ‘Import into the Union’: the release for free circulation of
Licensing Scheme (hereinafter referred to as the ‘FLEGT
timber and derived products into the Union within the
licensing scheme’) is hereby established between the Parties to
meaning of Article 79 of Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of
this Agreement. This scheme establishes a set of procedures and
12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs
requirements aimed at verifying and attesting, by means of
Code (
FLEGT licences, that timber and derived products shipped to

1 ), and which cannot be qualified as ‘goods of a
non-commercial nature’ as defined in point 6 of Article 1
the Union have been legally produced or acquired. In
of Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July
accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005, the
1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of
Union shall accept such shipments from the CAR for import
Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community
into the Union only if they are covered by FLEGT licences.
Customs Code ( 2 );
2. The
FLEGT
licensing
scheme
shall
apply
to
the
timber
and
(b) ‘Export’: the physical leaving or taking out of the territory of
derived products listed in Annex I.
the CAR timber and derived products produced or acquired
in the CAR, with the exception of timber and derived
products in transit through the territory of the CAR under
3. The
Parties
agree
to
take
all
measures
necessary
to
the control of the customs authorities of the CAR;
implement the FLEGT licensing scheme, in accordance with
Article 12 of this Agreement.
(c) ‘Timber and derived products’: the products listed in Annex
I;
Article 4
Licensing authority
(d) ‘HS code’: a four- or six-digit code as set out in the nomen
clature of the Harmonised Commodity Description and
1. The
CAR
shall
designate
the
FLEGT
licensing
authority
Coding System established by the International Convention
and notify its contact details to the European Commission.
on the Harmonised Commodity Description and Coding
Both Parties shall make this information available to the public.
System of the World Customs Organisation, in conformity
with the combined nomenclatures of the European Union
and the Economic and Monetary Community of Central
2. The
licensing
authority
shall
verify
that
timber
and
derived
Africa (CEMAC);
products have been legally produced or acquired, in accordance
with the legislation given in Annex II. It shall issue FLEGT
licences covering shipments of timber and derived products
(e) ‘FLEGT licence’: a licence that refers to the shipment of
that are legally produced or acquired in the CAR and destined
legally produced timber or derived products;
for export to the Union and, where appropriate, the necessary
documentation for timber and derived products in transit
( 1 ) OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 38.
through the territory of the CAR under the control of the
( 2 ) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1.
customs authorities of the CAR.

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EN
19.7.2012 Official
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3. The
licensing
authority
may
not
issue
FLEGT
licences
for 2. FLEGT
licences
shall
be
provided
on
a
form
written
in
any timber and derived products that are composed of, or
French.
include, timber and derived products imported into the CAR
from a third country in a form prohibited for export under the
laws of the country concerned, or for which there is proof that
this timber or these derived products have been produced or
3. The
Parties
may,
by
agreement,
establish
electronic
acquired in violation of the laws of the country where the trees
systems for the issuing, transmission and receipt of FLEGT
were harvested.
licences.
4. The
licensing
authority
shall
maintain
and
make
publicly
available its procedures for issuing FLEGT licences. It shall also
4. The
procedure
for
issuing
FLEGT
licences
and
the
retain the records of all shipments covered by FLEGT licences
technical specifications are laid out in Annex IV.
and, in accordance with national data protection legislation,
shall provide these records for the purposes of an independent
audit, whilst preserving the confidentiality of the information on
exporters’ industrial patent rights.
Article 7
Definition of legally produced wood
Article 5
For the purposes of this Agreement, a definition of timber that
Competent authorities of the Union
is legally produced or acquired is given in Annex II. This Annex
sets out the CAR’s national regulations that must be complied
1. The
European
Commission
shall
inform
the
CAR
of
the with for timber and derived products to be given a FLEGT
contact details of the competent authorities designated by the
licence. It also includes documentation containing the criteria,
Member States of the Union and their respective territorial areas
indicators and verifiers serving to prove compliance with the
of competence.
regulations, known as the ‘legality matrix’.
2. The
competent
authorities
shall
verify
that
each
shipment
is the subject of a valid FLEGT licence prior to releasing that
Article 8
shipment for free circulation in the Union. This release for free
circulation may be suspended and the shipment held if there is
Verifying the legality of the timber produced or acquired
any doubt as to the validity of the FLEGT licence. The
1. The
CAR
shall
establish
one
or
more
systems
for
verifying
procedures governing the release for free circulation in the
that timber and derived products intended for shipment have
Union of shipments covered by a FLEGT licence are described
been legally produced or acquired and that only shipments
in Annex III.
verified as such are exported to the Union. The system or
systems for verifying legality shall include compliance checks
3. The
competent
authorities
shall
maintain
and
publish in order to provide an assurance that the timber and derived
annually a record of FLEGT licences received.
products destined for export to the Union have been legally
produced or acquired, and that FLEGT licences have not been
issued for shipments of timber and derived products that have
4. According
to
national
legislation
on
data
protection,
the not been legally produced or acquired, or that are of unknown
competent authorities shall grant the persons or bodies
origin. The system or systems shall also include procedures to
designated by the CAR as independent auditors access to the
ensure that timber of illegal or unknown origin does not enter
relevant documents and data.
the supply chain.
5. The
Union’s
competent
authorities
shall
refrain
from
undertaking the action described in Article 5(2) with regard
2. The
system
or
systems
for
verifying
that
shipments
of
to timber and derived products from species listed in the
timber and derived products have been legally produced or
Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in
acquired is/are described in Annex V.
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) insofar
as these products are covered by the examination procedures
laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of
9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna
Article 9
and flora by regulating trade therein ( 1 ). The FLEGT licensing
scheme nevertheless provides an assurance that the products in
Consultation on the validity of FLEGT licences
question have been legally harvested.
1. In the event of doubt about the validity of a FLEGT
licence, the competent authority in question may ask the
Article 6
licensing authority for additional information.
FLEGT licences
1. FLEGT
licences
shall
be
issued
by
the
licensing
authority 2. If
the
licensing
authority
fails
to
reply
within
21
calendar
as a means of attesting that timber and derived products have
days of the date of receipt of the request, the competent
been legally produced or acquired.
authority shall proceed pursuant to the national legislation in
force and shall not accept the licence. If it emerges from the
( 1 ) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1.
additional information that the information appearing on the

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licence does not correspond to the shipment, the competent
Article 12
authority shall act pursuant to the national legislation in force
and shall not accept the licence.
Date of introduction of the FLEGT licensing scheme
1. The Parties shall notify each other through the Joint
3. In
the
event
of
disagreement
or
persistent
difficulties
in Implementation Committee when they feel they have made
consultations regarding FLEGT licences, the case may be
the necessary preparations for the FLEGT licensing scheme to
submitted to the Joint Implementation Committee.
become fully operational.
2. The
Parties
shall,
through
the
Joint
Implementation
Article 10
Committee, commission an independent evaluation of the
Independent auditor
FLEGT licensing scheme on the basis of the criteria set out in
Annex VII. The evaluation shall determine whether the legality
1. The
CAR
shall
engage
the
services
of
an
independent assurance system (LAS) underpinning the FLEGT licensing
auditor, in consultation with the Union, for the purposes of
scheme as described in Annex V adequately fulfils its
the tasks listed in Annex VI.
functions and whether the systems in place for receiving,
verifying and accepting licences, as set out in Article 5 and
2. The
independent
auditor
shall
be
a
body
with
no
conflict Annex III, are in place in the Union.
of interest resulting from an organisational or commercial rela
tionship with the Union or with the CAR’s forestry sector
3. On the basis of the recommendations of the Joint Imple
regulatory authorities, its licensing authority or any body
mentation Committee, the two Parties shall agree on a date on
given the responsibility of verifying the legality of timber
which the FLEGT licensing scheme should commence full oper
production, or any operator exercising a commercial activity
ations.
in its forestry sector.
4. The two Parties shall consider the recommendation and
3. The
independent
auditor
shall
operate
in
accordance
with notify each other in writing of their approval of the recom
a documented management structure, and with published
mendation.
policies, methods and procedures that correspond to inter
nationally accepted best practices.
Article 13
Application of LAS to timber and derived products not
4. The
independent
auditor
shall
refer
complaints
arising
exported to the Union
from its work to the Joint Implementation Committee.
The CAR shall use the legality assurance system or systems
described in Annex V for timber and derived products
5. The
independent
auditor
shall
regularly
produce
the
full exported to markets outside of the Union.
and summary reports noted in Annex VI.
Article 14
6. The
Parties
shall
facilitate
the
work
of
the
independent
auditor, ensuring in particular that it has access to the
Schedule for implementation of this Agreement
territory of each Party to the information necessary for the
performance of its functions. In accordance with their respective
1. The
Parties
agree
to
the
implementation
schedule
set
out
national legislation on data protection, the Parties may
in Annex VIII.
nonetheless refrain from disclosing information that they are
not permitted to communicate.
2. Through the Joint Implementation Committee, the Parties
shall evaluate progress made in implementation with reference
to the schedule set out in Annex VIII.
Article 11
Irregularities
Article 15
The Parties shall inform each other of their suspicions or obser
Supporting measures
vations with regard to any circumvention of, or irregularity in,
the FLEGT licensing scheme, in particular regarding:
1. The
Parties
have
identified
the
areas
referred
to
in
Annex
IX as those in which there is a need for additional technical and
financial resources in order to implement this Agreement.
(a) a circumvention of trade, particularly via the redirection of
trade from the CAR to the Union via a third country when
there is reason to believe that this is done with the intention
2. The
provision
of
such
additional
resources
shall
be
subject
of avoiding licensing;
to the normal procedures of the Union and its Member States
for programming aid to the CAR and to the budgetary
procedures of the CAR itself.
(b) FLEGT licences being issued for timber and derived products
that include imports of suspect sources from third countries;
or
3. The
Parties
shall
envisage
the
need
for
a
joint
arrangement
whereby the financing and technical contributions of the
European Commission and the Member States of the Union
(c) fraud in the obtaining or use of FLEGT licences.
are coordinated to support these processes.

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4. The
CAR
shall
ensure
that
capacity
building
for
the
imple
Article 19
mentation of this Agreement is included in national planning
instruments, such as the poverty reduction strategies.
Joint Implementation Committee
1. The Parties shall establish a Joint Implementation
Committee to facilitate the monitoring and review of this
5. The
Parties
shall
ensure
that
activities
associated
with Agreement.
implementation of this Agreement are coordinated with the
relevant development programmes and initiatives, current or
future.
2. Each
Party
shall
appoint
its
representatives
to
the
Joint
Implementation Committee. The Committee shall take its
decisions by a consensus.
6. The
provision
of
these
resources
shall
be
subject
to
the
procedures governing Union aid, as set out in the Cotonou
3. The
Joint
Implementation
Committee
shall
facilitate
Agreement, and to those governing the bilateral aid given to
dialogue and an effective and regular exchange of information
the CAR by each of the Union’s Member States.
between the Parties in order to optimise the functioning of this
Agreement, and may consider any issues relating to its effective
operation. The detailed functions of the Joint Implementation
Article 16
Committee are given in Annex X.
Stakeholder involvement in the implementation of this
Agreement
4. The
Joint
Implementation
Committee:
1. The
CAR
shall
involve
the
stakeholders
in
implementation (a) shall meet at least once a year on a date agreed by the
of this Agreement, in accordance with the guidelines of the
Parties;
Central Africa Forests Commission on the involvement of
non-governmental organisations, local communities and
indigenous peoples.
(b) shall produce the agenda and terms of reference for joint
actions on a collegiate basis;
2. The
Union
shall
hold
regular
consultations
with
the (c) shall establish its own rules of procedure;
European stakeholders on the implementation of this
Agreement, bearing in mind its obligations under the 1998
(d) shall preside over its meetings either in turns, by represen
Aarhus Convention on access to information, public partici
tatives of each Party, or by a co-chair arrangement;
pation in the decision-making process and access to justice in
environmental matters.
(e) shall ensure that its work is as transparent as possible and
that information concerning its work and its decisions is
Article 17
accessible to the public;
Social safeguards
(f) may establish working groups or other subsidiary bodies for
1. In
order
to
minimise
possible
adverse
impact,
the
Parties
areas of work requiring specific expertise.
agree to develop a better understanding of the livelihoods of
potentially affected local and indigenous communities, including
5. The
Joint
Implementation
Committee
shall
publish
an
those engaged in illegal logging.
annual report. Details regarding the content of this report can
be found in Annex XI.
2. The
Parties
shall
monitor
the
impact
of
this
Agreement
on
those communities, taking reasonable and appropriate steps to
6. In
the
period
between
signing
of
this
Agreement
and
its
mitigate any adverse impact. The Parties may agree additional
entry into force, a joint consultation and review mechanism
measures to counter any such adverse impact.
shall be established in order to facilitate the implementation
of this Agreement.
Article 18
Article 20
Market incentives
Communication on implementation of this Agreement
Bearing in mind its international obligations, the Union shall
1. The
representatives
of
the
Parties
responsible
for
official
strive to promote favourable access to its market for the timber
communications concerning implementation of this Agreement
and derived products covered by this Agreement. Such efforts
are:
shall include:
(a) for the CAR: the Minister for Water, Forests, Hunting and
Fisheries;
(a) the encouragement of public and private procurement
policies that recognise efforts to ensure a supply of legally
harvested forest products; and
(b) for the European Union: the Head of the EU Delegation in
the CAR.
(b) the promotion of FLEGT-licensed timber and derived
2. The
Parties
shall
provide
each
other
with
the
necessary
products on the Union’s market.
information to implement this Agreement.

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Article 21
of the situation with a view to finding an acceptable solution.
To this end, it is required to examine all possible ways of
Reporting and public disclosure
maintaining the good functioning of this Agreement.
1. Provision of information to the public is a key element in
strengthening governance under this Agreement. Publishing
3. In the event that the Joint Implementation Committee
information facilitates the implementation and monitoring of
cannot resolve the dispute, the Parties may:
the system by making it more transparent. The provision of
information also enables better accountability and greater
responsibility on the part of the different actors involved. The
(a) jointly seek the good offices of, or request mediation by, a
information to be disclosed and made public is listed in Annex
third Party;
XI.
(b) go to arbitration. In the event that it is not possible to
2. Each
Party
shall
consider
the
most
appropriate
mech
resolve the dispute in accordance with paragraph 3(a),
anisms (media, documents, Internet, workshops, annual
either Party may notify the other of the appointment of
reports) by which to disseminate the information to the
an arbitrator; the other Party must then appoint a second
public. In particular, the Parties shall endeavour to make
arbitrator within 30 calendar days of the appointment of
reliable and relevant information available to the different stake
the first arbitrator. The Parties shall jointly appoint a third
holders involved in the forestry sector in real time. These mech
arbitrator within two months of the appointment of the
anisms are described in Annex XI.
second arbitrator. The arbitrators’ decisions shall be taken
by a majority vote within six months of the appointment of
the third arbitrator. The arbitrators’ decisions shall be
Article 22
binding on the Parties, and shall be without appeal.
Confidential information
4. The
Joint
Implementation
Committee
shall
establish
the
1. Each
Party
undertakes,
within
the
limits
of
its
laws,
not
to methods of arbitration.
disclose confidential information exchanged under this
Agreement. Neither Party shall disclose to the public, nor
permit its authorities to disclose, information exchanged
Article 25
under this Agreement that constitutes a trade secret or
confidential commercial information.
Suspension
1. Either
Party
may suspend the
application
of this
Agreement. The decision to suspend and the reasons for that
2. Subject
to
paragraph
1,
the
following
information
shall decision shall be notified to the other Party in writing.
not be considered confidential:
2. The
conditions
of
this
Agreement
shall
cease
to
apply
30
(a) the number of FLEGT licences issued by the CAR and
calendar days after such notice is given.
received by the Union and the volume of timber and
derived products exported from the CAR and received by
the Union;
3. Application
of
this
Agreement
shall
resume
30
calendar
days after the Party that has suspended it informs the other
Party that the reasons for the suspension no longer apply.
(b) the names and addresses of licence holders and importers.
Article 26
Article 23
Amendments
Territorial application
1. Either
Party
wishing
to
amend
this
Agreement
shall
This Agreement shall apply to the territory in which the Treaty
submit the proposal at least three months before the next
on the functioning of the European Union is applied under the
meeting of the Joint Implementation Committee. The
conditions laid down in that Treaty, on the one hand, and to
Committee shall discuss the proposal and, if consensus is
the territory of the CAR, on the other.
reached, make a recommendation. Each Party shall consider
the recommendation and, if it agrees, approve it in accordance
with its own procedures.
Article 24
Settlement of disputes
2. Any
amendment
thus
approved
by
both
Parties
shall
enter
1. The
Parties
shall
endeavour
to
resolve
any
dispute into force on the first day of the month following the date on
concerning the application or interpretation of this Agreement
which the Parties notify each other of the completion of the
by means of prompt consultations.
procedures necessary for this purpose.
3. The Joint Implementation Committee may adopt
2. If
a
dispute
has
not
been
settled
by
consultation
within amendments to the Annexes to this Agreement.
three months from the date of the initial consultation request,
each Party may submit the dispute to the Joint Implementation
Committee, which shall endeavour to resolve it. The Committee
4. Notification
of
any
amendment
shall
be
sent
to
the
joint
shall obtain all information relevant to an in-depth examination
depositaries for this Agreement.

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Article 27
Article 30
Annexes
Entry into force
The Annexes shall form an integral part of this Agreement.
1. This
Agreement
shall
enter
into
force
on
the
first
day
of
the month following that in which the Parties notify each other
in writing of the completion of the procedures necessary for
this purpose.
Article 28
Duration and extension
2. Notification
shall
be
sent
to
the
Secretary-General
of
the
Council of the European Union and to the Office of the CAR’s
This Agreement shall remain in force for a period of six years
Prime Minister, who shall be the joint depositaries for this
and shall be extended for consecutive periods of six years unless
Agreement.
a Party renounces the extension by notifying the other Party in
writing at least one year prior to the expiry of this Agreement.
Article 31
Authentic texts
This Agreement shall be drawn up in duplicate in the Bulgarian,
Article 29
Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French,
Termination
German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian,
Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian,
Notwithstanding Article 28, either Party may terminate this
Spanish and Swedish languages, each of these texts being auth
Agreement by notifying the other Party. This Agreement shall
entic. In case of divergence of interpretation, the French version
cease to apply 12 months after the date of the said notification.
shall prevail.

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Съставено в Брюксел на двадесет и осми ноември две хиляди и единадесета година.
Hecho en Bruselas, el veintiocho de noviembre de dos mil once.
V Bruselu dne dvacátého osmého listopadu dva tisíce jedenáct.
Udfrdiget i Bruxelles den otteogtyvende november to tusind og elleve.
Geschehen zu Brüssel am achtundzwanzigsten November zweitausendelf.
Kahe tuhande üheteistkümnenda aasta novembrikuu kahekümne kaheksandal peval Brüsselis.
γινε στι Βρυξλλε, στι εκοσι οκτ Νοεμβρου δο χιλιδε ντεκα.
Done at Brussels on the twenty-eighth day of November in the year two thousand and eleven.
Fait à Bruxelles, le vingt-huit novembre deux mille onze.
Fatto a Bruxelles, addì ventotto novembre duemilaundici.
Briselē, divi tūkstoi vienpadsmitā gada divdesmit astotajā novembrī.
Priimta du tūkstaniai vienuolikt met lapkriio dvideimt atunt dien Briuselyje.
Kelt Brüsszelben, a kétezer-tizenegyedik év november havának huszonnyolcadik napján.
Magmul fi Brussell, fit-tmienja u goxrin jum ta' Novembru tas-sena elfejn u dax.
Gedaan te Brussel, de achtentwintigste november tweeduizend elf.
Sporzdzono w Brukseli dnia dwudziestego ósmego listopada roku dwa tysice jedenastego.
Feito em Bruxelas, em vinte e oito de novembro de dois mil e onze.
ntocmit la Bruxelles la douzeci i opt noiembrie dou mii unsprezece.
V Bruseli dvadsiateho smeho novembra dvetisícjedenás.
V Bruslju, dne osemindvajsetega novembra leta dva tiso enajst.
Tehty Brysseliss kahdentenakymmenentenkahdeksantena pivn marraskuuta vuonna kaksituhattayksi
toista.
Som skedde i Bryssel den tjugottonde november tjugohundraelva.

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EN
19.7.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
191/111
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 Sajungos 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 Централноафриканската република
Por la República Centroafricana
Za Stedoafrickou republiku
For Den Centralafrikanske Republik
Für die Zentralafrikanische Republik
Kesk-Aafrika Vabariigi nimel
Για την Κεντροαφρικανικ Δημοκρατα
For the Central African Republic
Pour la République centrafricaine
Per la Repubblica centrafricana
Centrālāfrikas Republikas vārdā –
Centrins Afrikos Respublikos vardu
A Kzép-afrikai Kztársaság részérl
Gar-Repubblika entru-Afrikana
Voor de Centraal-Afrikaanse Republiek
W imieniu Republiki rodkowoafrykaskiej
Pela República Centro - Africana
Pentru Republica Centrafrican
Za Stredoafrickú republiku
Za Srednjeafriko republiko
Keski-Afrikan tasavallan puolesta
Fr Centralafrikanska republiken

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L 191/112
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
19.7.2012
ANNEX I
LIST OF PRODUCTS COVERED BY THE VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (VPA)
4401:
Fuel wood, in logs, in billets, in twigs, in faggots or in similar forms; wood in chips or particles; sawdust and
wood waste and scrap, whether or not agglomerated in logs, briquettes, pellets or similar forms.
4403:
Wood in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared.
4404: Hoopwood;
Split
poles;
piles,
pickets
and
stakes
of
wood,
pointed
but
not
sawn
lengthwise;
wooden
sticks,
roughly trimmed but not turned, bent or otherwise worked, suitable for the manufacture of walking sticks,
umbrellas, tool handles etc.; chipwood and the like.
4406: Railway
or
tramway
sleepers
(cross-ties)
of
wood.
4407:
Wood sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or finger-jointed, of a
thickness exceeding 6 mm.
4408:
Sheets for veneering (including those obtained by slicing laminated wood), for plywood or for 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.
4409:
Wood (including strips, friezes for parquet flooring, not assembled, continuously shaped (tongued, grooved, v-
jointed, beaded or the like) along any edge or face, planed, sanded or finger-jointed or not.
4410:
Particle board, oriented strand board (OSB) and similar board (for example, waferboard) of wood or other
ligneous materials, whether or not agglomerated with resins or other organic binding substances.
4411:
Fibreboard of wood or other ligneous materials, whether or not bonded with resins or other organic
substances.
4412: Plywood,
veneered
panels
and
similar
laminated
wood.
441400: Wooden
frames
for
paintings,
photographs,
mirrors
or
similar
objects.
4415:
Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums and similar packings, of wood; cable-drums of wood; pallets, box pallets
and other load boards, of wood; pallet collars of wood.
441600: Casks,
barrels,
vats,
tubs
and
other
coopers’
products
and
parts
thereof,
of
wood,
including
staves.
441700: Tools, tool bodies, tool handles, broom or brush bodies and handles, in wood; boot or shoe lasts and trees, of
wood.
4418: Builders’
joinery
and
carpentry
of
wood,
including
cellular
wood
panels,
assembled
flooring
panels,
shingles
and shakes.
441900: Tableware
and
kitchenware
of
wood.
9403 30: Wooden furniture of a kind used in offices.
9403 40: Wooden furniture of a kind used in kitchens.
9403 50: Wooden furniture of a kind used in the bedroom.
9403 60: Other wooden furniture.

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EN
19.7.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
191/113
ANNEX II
DEFINITION OF LEGALLY PRODUCED WOOD
Introduction
This definition is given in the form of a ‘legality matrix’ comprising indicators grouped around 10 main themes:
1. The company has a legal existence;
2. Legal access rights to forest resources in its area of operation;
3. Compliance with environmental legislation;
4. Rights of workers, local and indigenous communities;
5. Legislation on forest logging;
6. Processing of forest products;
7. General and forest taxation;
8. The transport and traceability of timber forest products is in accordance with the regulations;
9. Compliance with contractual obligations;
10. Relations with sub-contractors in activities other than timber production.
The different logging concessions in the CAR that are concerned by this definition are the following:
— exploitation and land-use permits (PEAs) that are allocated to companies legally established in the CAR for industrial
logging in accordance with a land-use plan;
— logging authorisations for areas of reforestation also known as ‘plantations’.
In addition, the Central African Republic’s Forest Code also establishes other logging concessions:
— artisanal permits, which are permits for an area of 10 ha or less, intended for award to private individuals of CAR
nationality or local communities;
— community forests of no more than 5 000 ha, which will need to be covered by a management agreement between
the Ministry responsible for forests and an organised village and/or indigenous community.
PEAs, artisanal permits and community forests are allocated in production forests within the State’s permanent forest
domain, located in the south-west of the country. Plantations may be situated throughout the whole country.
Since the enactment of the new Forest Code, namely Law No 08.022 of 17 October 2008 on the CAR’s Forest Code,
timber exported by the CAR has been primarily from PEAs. To this must be added timber originating under operating
licences for old teak plantations.
Given the practical difficulties in implementing and monitoring community forests and artisanal permits, these
concessions are not yet operational in the CAR. In 2010, there are no concessions relating to community forests or
artisanal permits.
Consequently, the legality matrix used under this Agreement applies only to concessions that are currently operational,
namely PEAs and plantations. The legality definition will be completed to take account of community forests and artisanal
permits under the conditions given in Annex V, paragraphs 1.2 and 2.1.
The desire to negotiate a VPA along participatory lines entails respect for all those involved in the discussions. Three
groups were thus formed, namely the public sector, the private sector and civil society.
In order to best build a gradual understanding of the FLEGT process and best formulate proposals for negotiating it, two
different kinds of consultations were held on the matrix, namely, consultation by group and a joint consultation of the
three groups together. Consultation by group took place internally within the different actors. The joint consultation
enabled a comparison of the positions of each group in order to find a national position to serve as a basis for the team
negotiating with the Union.
Given that the legality matrix needs to provide operational support to the process of issuing FLEGT licences, the CAR and
the Union agreed on the need to test the applicability and relevance of the draft legality matrix on the ground before
implementing it in the context of the VPA. During the negotiations, an international organisation called ‘The Forest Trust’
was therefore appointed by the European Forest Institute (EFI) to conduct field tests involving Central African Republic
representatives.

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L 191/114
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
19.7.2012
Given that the wood coming from teak plantations is currently exported to the Union market in the form of logs, it was
essential to consider these plantation products in the legality matrix. The regulations governing plantations are less
developed. This matrix was produced on the basis of existing regulatory texts. Other texts will subsequently be
produced to improve the regulations governing plantations. The legality definition will then, consequently, be updated.
Clarification regarding the matrix indicators
Some indicators have no regulatory reference. These indicators are included subject to the publication and content of the
necessary references. For this reason, the references that need to be created are given in Annex IX. The regulatory texts
that will finally be adopted may entail amendments to the way in which these indicators are currently drafted.
Some indicators apply to all shipments, whatever the origin of the timber. Others apply only to shipments coming from
PEAs or shipments coming from permits to log State reforested areas (State plantations) or to shipments coming from
authorisations to log in a private domain (community or private plantations). The last column ‘Concessions concerned’
specifies the concession (that a shipment has come from) the indicator in the line applies to: all, PEA, plantations
(covering reforested area authorisations, so-called State plantations, and private reforested authorisations for communities
and individuals, so-called private plantations).

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19.7.2012 Off
PRINCIPLE 1: THE COMPANY HAS A LEGAL EXISTENCE
Criterion 1.1: The company is duly registered with the competent authorities, following a valid procedure.
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Indicator 1.1.1: Registration with an economic administration: Verifier 1.1.1.1: Ministerial decision authorising forest oper Ordinance No 83.083 of 31.12.1983 (Articles 7 and 8) All
(PEA
EN
and
Ministry of Trade and Industry.
ations
Plantations)

Verifier 1.1.1.2: Professional trader’s licence Decree
No
83.550
of
31.12.1983
(Articles
1
to
7)
Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code
(Article 176)
Indicator 1.1.2: Registration with the tax administration Verifier 1.1.2.1: Valid taxpayer’s card Registration
Guide All
(Ministry of Finances and Budget, General Department of
Taxation).
Verifier 1.1.2.2: Slip bearing tax registration number (NIF) General
Tax
Code
v.
2009
(Article
334)
icial
Order No 004/MEFPCI/DFB/CAB/SGF/DGID establishing the
Jour
requirement to use an NIF (Articles 1 and 2)
nal
of
Indicator 1.1.3: Registration with the National Social Security Verifier 1.1.3.1: Proof of CNSS registration Law
No
06.035
of
28.12.2006
on
the
Social
Security
Code
All
the
Office (CNSS).
(Article 31)
European
Decree No 09.116 of 27.4.2009
Indicator 1.1.4: Registration with the forest administration Verifier 1.1.4.1: Report of the PEA award committee under Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code PEAs
Union
following a valid award procedure.
the responsibility of the Ministry responsible for forests
(Article 31)
Verifier 1.1.4.2: Report of the independent observer under the Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Article 17.6)
responsibility of the Ministry responsible for forests
Verifier 1.1.4.3: Decree allocating exploitation and land-use
permits (PEAs)
Indicator 1.1.5: Registration with the judicial administration Verifier 1.1.5.1: Trade and Secured Loans Register (RCCM) Ordinance
No
83.083
of
31.12.1983
(Article
12) All
(Ministry of Justice, Trade Court).
Verifier 1.1.5.2: Minutes of notarised formation Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
(Article 93)
Verifier 1.1.5.3: Clerk to the Trade Court notifies registration
number
L
191/115
Indicator 1.1.6: Registration with the labour and employment Verifier 1.1.6.1: Employer records numbered and signed off Law No 09.004 on the Labour Code (Article 331) All
administration (Ministry of Work and Employment, Labour by the labour inspector for the administrative district
Inspectorate).

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L 191/116
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Indicator 1.1.7: Registration with the consular chambers: Verifier 1.1.7.1: Consular attestation
Refer to Annex IX: legal reference to be created All
Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
EN
Indicator 1.1.8: Registration with the Central African Agency Verifier 1.1.8.1:
Numbered and stamped request for Law No 99.008 of 19.5.1999 (Articles 1 to 7) All

for Vocational Training and Employment (ACFPE).
employer’s registration
Criterion 1.2: The company is up-to-date with payment of its contributions.
Indicator 1.2.1: Payment of CNSS contributions. Verifier
1.2.1.1:
CNSS
certificate
or
receipt Copy
of
contribution
payment
receipts All
Indicator 1.2.2: Payment of ACPFE contributions. Verifier
1.2.2.1:
Quarterly
declaration
of
salaries
paid Decree
00.068
establishing
the
system
for
employer
All
contributions to ACFPE (Articles 2 and 4)
Off
icial
Verifier 1.2.1.2: Proof of payment of employer contributions
Jour
Criterion 1.3: The company is not subject to any judicial sentence or administrative sanction leading to the temporary or permanent suspension of its activities.
nal
of
Indicator 1.3.1: The company’s activities have not been Verifier 1.3.1.1: Records of court rulings Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code,
(Articles
All
the
suspended following a court ruling.
209 and 204(2))
European
Verifier 1.3.1.2: Registers of infringements held by the Order No 09.020 of 30.4.2009 (Articles 92(2) and 93)
Ministry responsible for forests
Union
Indicator 1.3.2: The company’s activities have not been Verifier 1.3.2.1: Registers of infringements held by the Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code
suspended following an administrative sanction.
Ministry responsible for forests
(Article 204(2))
Verifier 1.3.2.2: Suspension decision of the Minister for the Order No 09.020 of 30.4.2009 (Articles 92(2) and 93)
Environment
Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code
(Article 114)
Criterion 1.4: The company complies in case of judicial sentence or administrative sanction.
Indicator 1.4.1: The company is up-to-date with payments of Verifier 1.4.1.1: Receipt for payment of transaction or fine/ Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles All
fines and penalties for the noted infringements.
penalty amount
208 to 233)
19.7.2012
Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code
(Articles 114 to 143)

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19.7.2012 Off
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
PRINCIPLE 2: LEGAL ACCESS RIGHTS TO FOREST RESOURCES IN ITS AREA OF OPERATION
Criterion 2.1: The company holds the necessary concessions authorising it to log the forest resources
EN
Indicator 2.1.1: All stages (informing the population, tender, Verifier 2.1.1.1: Report of the PEA award committee under Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles PEAs

application for concession, award committee, including the the responsibility of the Ministry responsible for forests
31, 41 and 48)
independent monitor) leading to the allocation of a logging
concession have been properly followed by the company,
observing the deadlines set by the laws and regulations of Verifier 2.1.1.2: Report of the independent monitor under the Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Article 17(6))
the CAR, before and after enactment of Law No 08.022 on responsibility of the Ministry responsible for forests
the Forest Code.
Verifier 2.1.1.3: Decree on the award of exploitation and Order No 019 of 5.7.2006 approving national rules for
land-use permits (PEAs)
producing land-use plans (Volume 1)
Verifier 2.1.1.4: Provisional agreement in the three months Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 approving national rules for
following the signing of the decree
producing land-use plans (Volume 2)
icial
Jour
Verifier 2.1.1.5: Final agreement in the three years following Decree No 09.118 (Articles 13 to 17)
nal
the signing of the provisional agreement
of
the
Indicator 2.1.2: The company has paid all the costs involved in Verifier 2.1.2.1: Proof of payment of the application’s admin Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Articles 22 and 44) PEAs
each stage of the award process.
istrative costs
European
Verifier 2.1.2.2: Proof of payment of the pre-recognition fee Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
(Articles
179 to 189)
Union
Verifier 2.1.2.3: Receipt for payment of three years’ rental
within 15 days of notification of award (for permits
allocated after 2003)
Indicator 2.1.3: In the case of plantations belonging to a Verifier 2.1.3.1: Land title in the name of the individual or Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code of the Private plan
private individual or community, the individual or community
CAR (Article 131)
tations
community has a property title.
Criterion 2.2: The company has all recurring regulatory authorisations enabling it to exercise its activities.
Indicator 2.2.1: The company has an annual felling authori Verifier 2.2.1.1: Approval note for PEA management plans Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles PEAs
sation duly issued by the Forests Administration.
with final agreement.
107, 109 and 110, Article 114)
Verifier 2.2.1.2: Approval note for PEA annual operational Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Article 17(4))
plans with final agreement
L
191/117
Verifier 2.2.1.3: Provisional felling agreement signed by the
relevant authority

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L 191/118
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Indicator 2.2.2: In the case of State-owned plantations, the Verifier 2.2.2.1: Agreement of the Ministry responsible for Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles Plantations
company has authorisation from the Ministry responsible for forests
62 and 64)
forests to log a plantation
Verifier 2.2.2.2: Exploration authorisation Order
No
09.021
of
30.4.2009
(Articles
72
to
75)
EN

Verifier 2.2.2.3: Exploration report Refer
to
Annex
IX:
General
Conditions
need
to
be
created
Verifier 2.2.2.4: Simple management plan for plantations of
50 ha or more in compliance with the General Conditions
Indicator 2.2.3: In the case of plantations belonging to a Verifier 2.2.3.1: Felling authorisation issued to the operator Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code of the Private plan
private individual or community, the individual or (owner or contracted operator) by the Ministry
CAR (Article 131)
tations
community has felling authorisations
Off
Verifier 2.2.3.2: Simple management plan for plantations of Refer to Annex IX: General Conditions need to be created
50 ha or more in compliance with the General Conditions
icial
Jour
Verifier 2.2.3.3: Where appropriate, a contract between the
individual or community and logging company.
nal
of
Criterion 2.3: After award of its logging concession, the company helps to inform all forest-resource management stakeholders in the area in question of this award.
the
European
Indicator 2.3.1: The company informs the local and indigenous Verifier 2.3.1.1: Reports of awareness raising meetings written Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 approving national rules for PEAs
communities, local authorities and all interested parties of the by the company and jointly approved by the different stake producing land-use plans (Volume 2)
signing of the provisional agreement and the opening up of the holders.
provisional cutting area.
Union
PRINCIPLE 3: COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION
Criterion 3.1: The company has conducted all impact assessments in line with the legal requirements.
Indicator 3.1.1: Environmental impact assessments have been Verifier 3.1.1.1: Records of environmental impact assessments Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code PEAs
conducted.
approved for each production site (PEA + sawmill (including (Article 87 and Article 93(2))
living quarters))
Verifier 3.1.1.2: Environmental compliance certificate issued Refer to Annex IX: implementing regulations need to be
by the competent authority
created.
Criterion 3.2: The company is implementing the environmental impact mitigation measures given in the assessments.
Indicator 3.2.1: The measures set out in the approved impact Verifier 3.2.1.1: Monitoring reports of the environmental Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code PEAs
assessments to protect biodiversity are being implemented.
administration
(Article 87)
19.7.2012
Refer to Annex IX: implementing regulations need to be
created.

---

19.7.2012 Off
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Criterion 3.3: The company is taking measures to safeguard the quality of the environment at its site, in line with legal provisions.
Indicator 3.3.1: Waste (as defined in Article 3 of the CAR’s Verifier 3.3.1.1: Monitoring reports from the environmental Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code PEAs
Environment Code and implementing regulations) resulting administration
(Articles 3, 19 and 20, 43 to 45)
from the company’s activities is treated in line with the legal
EN
requirements.

Refer to Annex IX: implementing regulations need to be
created.
Indicator 3.3.2: Legal provisions with regard to air and water Verifier 3.3.2.1: Environmental audit report from the environ Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code PEAs
pollution are being observed.
mental administration
(Articles 15, 102 and 106(2))
Refer to Annex IX: implementing regulations need to be
created.
PRINCIPLE 4: RIGHTS OF WORKERS, AND LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
icial
Criterion 4.1: The company helps to inform and educate its workers and fully respects their employment rights.
Jour
Indicator 4.1.1: Freedom of union organisation is guaranteed Verifier 4.1.1.1: Briefing note on the guarantee of freedom of Law 09.004 of 29.1.2009 on the Labour Code (Articles 12, All
nal
within the company.
union organisation stamped by the relevant authority and 17, 18, 30, 31, 33)
displayed
of
the
Verifier 4.1.1.2: Minutes of union meetings displayed (if
European
employees are union members)
Indicator 4.1.2: Staff delegates, elected in accordance with Verifier 4.1.2.1: Report of the general assembly at which staff Law 09.004 of 29.1.2009 on the Labour Code (Articles 58, All
current legislation, have the necessary skills to fulfil their role. delegates were elected, stamped by the labour inspector of the 60, 67)
Union
administrative district
Verifier 4.1.2.2: Training certificates stamped by the labour
inspector of the administrative district
Indicator 4.1.3: The company’s employees are informed of Verifier 4.1.3.1: Briefing notes displayed Law
09.004
of
29.1.2009
on
the
Labour
Code
(Articles
63
All
documents relating to employment rights.
and 129)
Verifier 4.1.3.2: Report of meetings between staff delegates The collective agreement for logging companies in the Central
and employees
African Republic (Article 10(4))
Verifier 4.1.3.3: Internal regulations displayed
Criterion 4.2: The company respects workers’ rights as defined in current regulations.
Indicator 4.2.1: Relations between the company and its staff Verifier 4.2.1.1: Copy of the collective agreement held by the Law 09.004 on the Labour Code (Articles 197 to 201 and All
L
are formally established according to the legal requirements.
logging company and by the staff delegates
331)
191/119
Verifier 4.2.1.2: Employer records numbered and signed off
by the labour inspector of the administrative district

---

L 191/120
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Indicator 4.2.2: The company’s staff are paid in accordance Verifier 4.2.2.1: Pay slips and salary reports Law
09.004
on
the
Labour
Code
(Articles
221
to
230
and
94
All
with current regulations for their sector of activity, and
to 99)
without discrimination.
Verifier 4.2.2.2: Employment contract signed by all parties Collective
agreement
for
logging
companies
EN

Indicator 4.2.3: Workers’ health and safety conditions are in Verifier 4.2.3.1: Records of health and safety committee Law No 09.004 on the Labour Code (Articles 82 to 87) All
line with current legislation.
meetings
Verifier 4.2.3.2: Provision of staff healthcare and safety Order 005/MFPESSFP/CAB/DGTEFP of 11 July 2004 on the
equipment
establishment and functioning of health and safety
committees in the CAR (Articles 1 to 3; Articles 9 to 17)
Collective agreements for logging companies
Off
International Labour Office, C155 Occupational Safety and
icial
Health Convention 1981 (Article 12(a)(b), Article 16),
ratified by the CAR on 5.6.2006
Jour
nal
Indicator 4.2.4: The working hours applied by the company Verifier 4.2.4.1: Workers’ timekeeping system Law
09.004
on
the
Labour
Code
(Articles
247
to
251) All
of
are in accordance with legal provisions.
the
Verifier 4.2.4.2: Workers’ timesheets
European
Verifier 4.2.4.3: Company service notes displayed
Union
Verifier 4.2.4.4: Pay slips
Indicator 4.2.5: Staff recruitment is in line with the age Verifier 4.2.5.1: Employment contracts signed by all parties Law 09.004 on the Labour Code (Articles 247 to 249, All
restrictions established by national legislation and the Inter
Article 97)
national Labour Organisation (ILO).
Collective agreements for logging companies
Criterion 4.3: The company respects the rights of local and indigenous communities
Indicator 4.3.1: Local and indigenous communities’ customary Verifier 4.3.1.1: Land-use plan approved by the competent Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for PEAs
rights of access to and use of forest concessions are recognised authority (the socio-economic report in particular)
producing land-use plans (Volume 1)
and respected by the company.
Verifier 4.3.1.2: Provisional agreement signed by the Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 on approving national rules
competent authority (PEA provisional agreement)
for producing land-use plans (Volume 2)
Verifier 4.3.1.3: Report of findings of the forest adminis Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles
19.7.2012
tration, countersigned by the parties
14 to 22, 107)
Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Articles 17(4 and 5))

---

19.7.2012 Off
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Indicator 4.3.2: If assets belonging to local or indigenous Verifier 4.3.2.1: Official report read and approved by the Order No 005/Ministry of Rural Development of 9.7.1973 PEAs
communities are destroyed by the company, compensation is parties
provided in accordance with current regulations.
Verifier 4.3.2.2: Proof of compensation
EN

PRINCIPLE 5: TIMBER HARVESTING LEGISLATION
Criterion 5.1: The company has been involved in informing all forest-resource management stakeholders AFTER the award of its logging concession in the area in question.
Indicator 5.1.1: The local communities, local authorities, non- Verifier 5.1.1.1: Minutes of awareness-raising meetings Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code PEAs
governmental organisations (NGOs), decentralised State written by the company and jointly approved by the stake (Article 14)
structures and other development partners interested in forest holders.
resource management in the area in question are informed of
the award of the PEA.
Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 approving national rules for
producing land-use plans (Volume 2)
icial
Criterion 5.2: The provisional agreement is adhered to.
Jour
Indicator 5.2.1: The company adheres to the provisions of the Verifier 5.2.1.1: Administration’s monitoring report Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
(Articles
PEAs
nal
provisional agreement during its period of validity (three years).
102 and 107)
of
the
Provisional land-use agreement
European
Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 approving national rules for
producing land-use plans (Volume 1)
Union
Criterion 5.3: The land-use plan is designed and implemented according to the regulations.
Indicator 5.3.1: The prior studies have been conducted Verifier 5.3.1.1: Land-use inventory report(s) Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
(Articles
PEAs
according to the rules set out by the forest administration.
102 to 105 and Article 107)
Verifier 5.3.1.2: Socio-economic study report Provisional
land-use
agreement
-
logging
Indicator 5.3.2: The land-use plan has been produced Verifier 5.3.2.1: Final exploitation and land-use agreement Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
PEAs
according to the rules set out by the forest administration.
(Article 103)
Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for
producing land-use plans (Volume 1)
Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 on approving national rules
for producing land-use plans (Volume 2)
L
191/121
Indicator 5.3.3: The management plan complies with the regu Verifier 5.3.3.1: Letter officially approving the management Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles PEAs
lations.
plan
94, 103 and 114)

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L 191/122
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for
producing land-use plans (Volume 1)
Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 approving national rules for
EN
producing land-use plans (Volume 2)

Indicator 5.3.4: The annual operating plan (PAO), including Verifier 5.3.4.1: Letter submitting annual operating plan to Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for PEAs
maps, complies with the regulations.
the office of the Minister for Forests
producing land-use plans (Volume 1)
Verifier 5.3.4.2: Letter officially approving the PAO Order
No
09.026
of
28.7.2009
on
approving
national
rules
for producing land-use plans (Volume 2)
Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles
94, 103 and 114)
Off
icial
Indicator 5.3.5: A plantation or reforested area of 50 ha or Verifier 5.3.5.1: Simple management plan for plantations of Article 64 of Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Plantations
more has a simple management plan in line with current regu 50 ha or more, and this is in line with the General Conditions Code of the CAR
Jour
lations.
nal
Verifier 5.3.5.2: Letter approving the simple management Articles 72 to 75 of Order No 09.021 of 30.4.2009
plan
of
Refer to Annex IX: General Conditions need to be created
the
European
Criterion 5.4: The company has clearly defined the different forest sub-divisions and adheres to them.
Indicator 5.4.1: The boundaries of the annual cutting area Verifier 5.4.1.1: Reports of forestry administration inspection Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code PEAs
(AAC) or provisional areas anticipated on the maps are visits
(Article 105)
Union
concretely mapped out and adhered to, in accordance with
the regulations.
Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 on approving national rules
for producing land-use plans (Volume 2)
Criterion 5.5: The company is building service roads in accordance with current regulations.
Indicator 5.5.1: The service road network is planned and Verifier 5.5.1.1: Annual operating plan approved by the forest Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles PEAs
created in accordance with current regulations.
administration
94, 103 and 114)
Verifier 5.5.1.2: Plan for the network of service roads for the Provisional logging agreement
provisional area
Verifier 5.5.1.3: Administrative authorisation to open up Final agreement
access roads (if access roads required outside the AAC)
Verifier 5.5.1.4: Reports of forestry administration inspection
19.7.2012
visits
Verifier 5.5.1.5: Authorisation to open up paths for an AAC

---

19.7.2012 Off
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Criterion 5.6: The company chooses the trees to fell according to the rules set out in the Forest Code, the Development Plan and data from the Annual Operating Plan (PAO)
Indicator 5.6.1: The minimum managed diameters (DMA) for Verifier 5.6.1.1: Worksite books Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
PEAs
final agreements or the minimum administrative logging
(Article 105)
EN
diameters (DME) for provisional agreements are respected

during felling operations.
Verifier 5.6.1.2: Inspection visit reports Final
logging
agreement
Provisional logging agreement
Indicator 5.6.2: The species logged are authorised in the land- Verifier 5.6.2.1: Land-use Plan Order
No
09.021
of
30.4.2009
(Article
53) PEAs
use plan, the PAO and the order applying the Forest Code or
the Forest Code itself.
Verifier 5.6.2.2: Worksite books Final
agreement
icial
Verifier 5.6.2.3: ‘Timber movement’ form Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
(Articles Jour
186 and 190)
nal
Verifier 5.6.2.4: Special authorisation for unauthorised species
of
the
Criterion 5.7: The company adheres to all the provisions of the Forest Code on abandoning waste timber from logging.
European
Indicator 5.7.1: Timber that is felled and abandoned in the Verifier 5.7.1.1: Worksite books Final
logging
agreement PEAs
forest is in line with current regulations.
Union
Verifier 5.7.1.2: Official reports on abandoned timber from Provisional logging agreement
the forest administration
Verifier 5.7.1.3: Inspection reports from the forest adminis Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles
tration
201, 202 and 204)
PRINCIPLE 6: PROCESSING OF FOREST PRODUCTS
Criterion 6.1: The company establishes at least one processing facility in accordance with the provisions of the Forest Code.
Indicator 6.1.1: The company has at least one processing Verifier 6.1.1.1 Processing facility licence Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
PEAs
facility in accordance with the regulatory provisions, three
(Article 39)
years after award of the PEA.
Provisional exploitation and land-use agreement
L
191/123
Indicator 6.1.2: The company has proof that it is respecting Verifier 6.1.2.1: ‘Timber movement’ form or statistics Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code
the minimum annual processing quota (70 %) set by the State. yearbook
(Article 44)

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L 191/124
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Criterion 6.2: The company ensures the legality of purchased timber or derived products, even when imported.
Indicator 6.2.1: Logs and timber products imported for Verifier 6.2.1.1: Commercial import declaration
Reference to be created: refer to Annex IX PEAs
processing are registered in line with regulatory provisions.
EN

Verifier 6.2.1.2: ‘Timber movement’ form
Indicator 6.2.2: Logs and timber products purchased for Verifier 6.2.2.1: A FLEGT authorisation from the country of Reference to be created: refer to Annex IX PEAs
processing, including when imported, are of known and legal origin accompanies the imported products
origin.
Verifier 6.2.2.2: Sustainable management certificate or
certificate of legal origin
Off
icial
PRINCIPLE 7: GENERAL AND FOREST TAXATION
Jour
Criterion 7.1: The company makes forest tax declarations that are in accordance with its actual activity.
nal
Indicator 7.1.1: The declaration of timber production is held in Verifier 7.1.1.1: ‘Timber movement’ form Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
All
of
line with the regulatory provisions of the Forest Code.
(Article 190)
the
European
Indicator 7.1.2: The declaration of timber processing is in Verifier 7.1.2.1: ‘Timber movement’ form Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
All
accordance with the ‘timber movements’ forms.
(Article 190)
Union
Indicator 7.1.3: Declarations of timber sales and export of Verifier 7.1.3.1: ‘Timber movement’ form Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
All
products are kept in accordance with the regulatory provisions.
(Article 190)
Verifier 7.1.3.2: Customs declarations Finance
Law
for
each
financial
year
Verifier 7.1.3.3: Commercial export declaration (DEC) Decree
86.328
of
20.11.1986
(Article
2)
Indicator 7.1.4: Tax/customs declarations are made in line with Verifier 7.1.4.1: Receipt for licence payment Finance
Law
for
each
financial
year All
the regulatory provisions.
Verifier 7.1.4.2: Receipt for IMF (minimum set tax) payment General Tax Code (Articles 120, 125, 140, 204, 247, 248
and 257)
Verifier 7.1.4.3: Receipt for IS/IR (corporation/income tax)
payment
19.7.2012
Verifier 7.1.4.4: Receipt for VAT (value added tax) payment

---

19.7.2012 Off
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Criterion 7.2: The company pays all taxes due within the deadline.
Indicator 7.2.1: All forest taxes and fees are paid within the Verifier 7.2.1.1: Receipt for rental tax payment Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
(Articles
PEAs
stipulated deadlines.
179 to 193)
EN

Verifier 7.2.1.2: Receipt for felling tax payment Finance
Law
for
each
financial
year All
Verifier 7.2.1.3: Receipt for reforestation tax payment All
Verifier 7.2.1.4: Notification stipulating exceptional measures
All
relating to payment of company taxes and fees
Indicator 7.2.2: All fees and taxes related to timber exports are Verifier 7.2.2.1: Receipt for DS (exit fees) payment Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
All
paid on time.
(Article 198)
Verifier 7.2.2.2: Receipt for IMF (minimum set tax) payment Finance
Law
for
each
financial
year
icial
Verifier 7.2.2.3: Receipt for REIF (Ministry of Finance tax on Instrument No 1/92-UDEAC-CD-SE1
Jour
provision of computer tools) payment
nal
Articles 12 and 22 of the CEMAC Customs Code
of
the
Instrument No 1/93-UDEAC-573-CD-SE1
European
Instrument No 7/93-UDEAC-556-CD-SE1
Instrument No 16/96-UDEAC-556-CD-57
Union
Instrument No 5/89-UDEAC-491
Indicator 7.2.3: All fees and taxes related to imports of Verifier 7.2.3.1: Receipt DD (import customs duty) payment Finance
Law
for
each
financial
year All
equipment used by the company are paid.
Verifier 7.2.3.2: Receipt for value added tax (VAT) payment Instrument
No
1/92-UDEAC-CD-SE1
Verifier 7.2.3.3: Receipt for TCI (community integration tax) Articles 12 and 22 of the CEMAC Customs Code
payment
Verifier 7.2.3.4: Receipt for CCI (community integration Instrument No 1/93-UDEAC-573-CD-SE1
contribution) payment
Verifier 7.2.3.5: Receipt for REIF (tax on provision of Instrument No 7/93-UDEAC-556-CD-SE1
financial computer tools) payment
L
Verifier 7.2.3.6: Receipt for OHADA payment (OHADA fee) Instrument
No
16/96-UDEAC-556-CD-57
191/125
Verifier 7.2.3.7: Receipt for CMF payment (Central Africa Instrument No 5/89-UDEAC-491
Forests Commission fee)

---

L 191/126
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Indicator 7.2.4: The company has repatriated the ‘free on truck’ Verifier 7.2.4.1: Certificate of bank debit order Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
All
(FOT) values of products declared for export outside of CEMAC
(Article 200)
to a local bank within 30 days of the deadline stipulated in the
contract.
Verifier 7.2.4.2: Fund transfer document
EN

PRINCIPLE 8: THE TRANSPORT AND TRACEABILITY OF TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS
Criterion 8.1: The company may have its own means of transport
Indicator 8.1.1: The lorries and other vehicles for transporting Verifier 8.1.1.1: Vehicle registration documents —
Decree
No
88.151
of
25.4.1988
(Article
R138,
R138(1)
All
timber products are correctly registered and licensed.
and R 134(4))
Verifier 8.1.1.2: Technical data sheet
— CIMA Insurance Code (Article 200)
Off
— 2009 General Tax Code (Article 204)
icial
Verifier 8.1.1.3: Insurance
Jour
Verifier 8.1.1.4: Transport licence When
transporting
forest
products
for
export,
nal
there
is
an
additional reference: Decree No 90.043 of May 1990 orga
nising road transport in the CAR
of
Verifier 8.1.1.5: Haulier’s authorisation
the
European
Indicator 8.1.2: Transport documents for timber and derived Verifier 8.1.2.1: Waybill or route map Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
All
products for export are in line with current regulations.
(Article 93)
Union
Verifier 8.1.2.2: Dispatch note, accompanied by: specifi CEMAC Customs Code (Articles 133 and 134)
cations, D15, commercial export declaration, invoice,
certificate of origin
Indicator 8.1.3: The company is implementing measures to Verifier 8.1.3.1: Company’s internal regulations Decree
No
90.043
of
May
1990
organising
road
transport
in
All
apply the ban on the transportation of persons.
the CAR
Verifier 8.1.3.2: Service note
Criterion 8.2: The company is marking felled trees for monitoring and traceability according to recognised forest regulation methods.
Indicator 8.2.1: The logs and stumps of felled trees are Verifier 8.2.1.1: Inspection visit report from the forestry Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles All
hammered and marked in line with regulatory requirements. administration
93 and 96)
Indicator 8.2.2: In forest depots, logs are hammered and Verifier 8.2.2.1: Inspection visit report from the forestry Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles All
19.7.2012
marked according to current regulations.
administration
93 and 96)
Interministerial Order No 82 of 13.7.2004

---

19.7.2012 Off
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
Indicator 8.2.3: Log transport documents are filled in prior to Verifier 8.2.3.1: Waybill (also known as a delivery note or Refer to Annex IX: reference needs to be created for the All
leaving the worksite.
removal note)
National Tracking System
EN
Indicator 8.2.4: Log and log bundle documents are filled in Verifier 8.2.4.1: Waybill (also known as a delivery note or Interministerial Order No 82 of 13.2.2004 All

prior to leaving the log depot or factory.
removal note)
PRINCIPLE 9: RESPECT FOR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
Criterion 9.1: The company respects the formal commitments made in the management plan (PG), the annual operating plan (PAO) and/or the provisional agreement for a better contribution to local development.
Indicator 9.1.1: The amounts allocated to community budgets Verifier 9.1.1.1: Proof of payment of revenue orders Law
No
08.022
of
17.10.2008
on
the
Forest
Code
(Articles
PEAs
are regularly paid by the company.
177 to 192)
icial
Jour
Verifier 9.1.1.2: Administrative authorisation for staggered
payment of taxes
nal
of
the
Indicator 9.1.2: The social actions planned by the company Verifier 9.1.2.1: PAO approved by the forest administration Reference to be created: order approving forest management PEAs
European
and appearing in the PAO and management plan or in the (each PAO includes a description of the social activities rules underway, refer to Annex IX.
provisional agreements have been implemented.
undertaken the previous year)
Union
Verifier 9.1.2.2: Provisional agreement signed by the Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles
company and the Ministry responsible for forests
50, 51)
Criterion 9.2: The company observes the additional commitments made to the forest administration with regard to biodiversity conservation in its concession.
Indicator 9.2.1: The commitments made by the company in Verifier 9.2.1.1: Worksite inspection reports from the forest Reference to be created: order approving forest management PEAs
the management plan, the general conditions, the PAO or the administration
rules underway, refer to Annex IX.
provisional agreement in order to contribute to preventing
poaching and illegal logging in its area of intervention are
respected.
Verifier 9.2.1.2: Company reports on information, education Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code
and awareness raising campaigns
(Article 90)
Verifier 9.2.1.3: PAO approved by the forest administration Wildlife
Protection
Code
L
191/127
Verifier 9.2.1.4: Internal regulations Order
No
84.045
of
27.7.1984
(Articles
34,
111
and
112)

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L 191/128
Indicator Verifiers Legislative
or
regulatory
text
Concessions
concerned
PRINCIPLE 10: RELATIONS WITH SUB-CONTRACTORS IN ACTIVITIES OTHER THAN TIMBER PRODUCTION
Criterion 10.1: The company (and, in the case of private plantations, the individual or community) ensures that all its sub-contractors are operating legally.
Indicator 10.1.1: The company (and, in the case of private Verifier 10.1.1.1: Accreditation of valid profession Code
for
the
Registration
of
Stamps
and
Curatorship
(Articles
All
EN
plantations, the individual or community) ensures that all its
2 and 13)

sub-contractors and suppliers are authorised to exercise their Verifier 10.1.1.2: Sub-contracts registered
activity.
Criterion 10.2: The company is paying its debts to its contractors.
Indicator 10.2.1: The company (and, in the case of private Verifier 10.2.1.1: Invoices Civil
Code
(Articles
1101
and
following) All
plantations, the individual or community) is settling payment
for the services anticipated in the contract.
Verifier 10.2.1.2: Transfer document or cheque or receipt
proving payment of the corresponding invoices
Off
icial
Jour
nal
of
the
European
Union
19.7.2012

---

EN
19.7.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
191/129
List of laws, principle regulatory texts, regional and international agreements to be considered in forest legality
The texts noted in the context of this matrix are as follows:
— Orders (83.083 of 31.12.83; 84.045 of 27.7.1984);
— Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest code of the Central African Republic and its different implementing
regulations: decrees, orders, decisions and service notes;
— Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code;
— Law No 09.004 on the Labour Code;
— The Law on the Civil Code in the CAR;
— The Law on the General Tax Code (including the law on the Code for Registration of Stamps and Trusteeship);
— Finance Law for each financial year;
— Law No 06.035 of 28.12.2006 on the Social Security Code;
— Law No 99.008 of 19.5.1999;
— CIMA Insurance Code;
— CEMAC Customs Code, implementing regulations for CEMAC’s Customs Code:
— Instrument No 1/92-UDEAC-CD-SE1;
— Instrument No 1/93-UDEAC-573-CD-SE1;
— Instrument No 7/93-UDEAC-556-CD-SE1;
— Instrument No 16/96-UDEAC-556-CD-57;
— Instrument No 5/89-UDEAC-491.
— The agreements (collective agreements for logging companies in the CAR, International Labour Office Convention
C155 of 1981 on workers’ health and safety, final exploitation and land-use agreements, provisional exploitation and
land-use agreements);
— Wildlife Protection Code, Order No 84.045 of 27.7.1984;
— Code for Registration of Stamps and Trusteeship;
— Civil Code;
— Decrees:
— Decree No 83.550 of 31.12.1983;
— Decree No 09.116 of 27.4.2009;
— Decree No 09.118 of 28.4.2009;
— Decree No 00.068;
— Decree No 88.151 of 25.4.1988;
— Decree No 90.043 of May 1990 on road transport;

---

L 191/130
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
19.7.2012
— Decree 86.328 of 20.11.1986.
— Ministerial and interministerial orders:
— Order No 004/MEFPCI/DFB/CAB/SGS/DGID;
— Order No 09.020 of 30.4.2009;
— Order No 019 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 1);
— Order No 09.021 of 30.4.2009;
— Order No 005/MFPSSSFP/CAB/DGTEFP of 11.7.2004;
— Interministerial Order No 82 of 13.2.2004;
— Order 005/Ministry of Rural Development of 9.7.1973;
— Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2);
— Interministerial Order No 82 of 13.2.2004;
— Registration Guide

---

EN
19.7.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
191/131
ANNEX III
Conditions governing the release for free circulation into the European Union of timber and derived products
exported from a partner country and covered by a FLEGT licence
GENERAL FRAMEWORK
Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1024/2008 ( 1 ) of 17 October 2008 laying down
detailed measures for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005, laying down detailed measures for the entry
onto the Union market of timber and derived products covered by a FLEGT licence and coming from the CAR. The
procedures laid out in these regulations anticipate a possible adaptation to the national requirements of Member States
and, in particular, the possibility that the competent authorities responsible for accepting FLEGT licences during entry
onto the Union market may be the customs authority or another administration. For this reason, the description of the
process anticipates two stages in the verification: (1) documentary control of the licence and (2) a check that the shipment
actually complies with the corresponding licence.
This process established in the European Union aims to strengthen the controls put in place by the CAR and verify that
the FLEGT licences presented on entry into the Union are indeed those that were duly issued and registered by the CAR’s
licensing authority, and that they cover the shipments that the CAR’s authorities intended them to. The competent
authorities do not have a mandate to question the CAR’s legality assurance system and the validity of licence award, these
issues being considered, as necessary, by the Joint Implementation Committee.
Article 1
Processing licences
1. The FLEGT licence (hereinafter the ‘licence’) shall be submitted to the competent authority of the Member State in
which the shipment ( 2 ) covered by that licence is declared for release for free circulation ( 3 ).
2. Once
a
licence
has
been
accepted,
the
competent
authorities
indicated
in
paragraph
1
shall
inform
the
customs
authorities, in accordance with current national procedures.
Article 2
Documentary control of licences
1. Paper-based
licences
shall
conform
to
the
format
set
out
in
Annex
IV.
2. A
licence
submitted
on
a
date
past
its
expiry
date
shall
be
considered
null
and
void.
3. The licence may not include any deletions or alterations, unless these have been validated by the licensing authority.
4. The extension of the validity of a licence shall not be accepted unless that extension has been validated by the
licensing authority.
5. A
duplicate
or
replacement
licence
shall
not
be
accepted
unless
it
has
been
issued
and
validated
by
the
licensing
authority.
Article 3
Request for additional information
1. In
case
of
doubt
concerning
a
FLEGT
licence,
a
duplicate
or
replacement,
the
competent
authority
may
request
additional information from the licensing authority.
2. A copy of the licence, duplicate or replacement in question may be forwarded together with the request.
Article 4
Physical verification
1. Checks shall be conducted by the competent authorities, as appropriate, to ensure that the shipment actually
complies with the corresponding licence.
( 1 ) OJ L 277, 18.10.2008, p. 23.
( 2 ) Shipment is understood as meaning a quantity of timber or derived products as given in Annexes II and III of Regulation (EC)
No 2173/2005, accompanied by a FLEGT licence, that is sent by a consignor or a shipper on departure from a partner country and
which is presented for release for free circulation at a customs office in the Union.
( 3 ) Release for free circulation is a customs procedure of the Union. Release for free circulation involves: (1) the collection of any import
duties due; (2) the collection, as appropriate, of other charges, according to the relevant provisions in force in this regard; (3) the
application of commercial policy measures, and prohibitions and restrictions, if these have not been applied at an earlier stage (in fact,
it is within these measures that the presence of a FLEGT licence will be verified); (4) the completion of other formalities laid down in
respect of the importation of goods. Release for free circulation confers the customs status of Union goods on a non-Union product.

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2. If the competent authorities consider it necessary to further verify the shipment, checks may be carried out to
establish whether the shipment in question conforms to the information provided in the licence and to the records
relating to the licence in question which are held by the licensing authority.
3. Where the volume or weight of the timber products contained in the shipment presented for release for free
circulation does not deviate by more than 10 % from the volume or weight indicated in the corresponding licence, the
shipment shall be considered as conforming to the information provided in the licence insofar as volume or weight is
concerned.
4. The costs entailed in these checks shall be the responsibility of the importer, unless the national legislation of the
Member States in question states otherwise.
Article 5
Prior verification
A licence lodged prior to the arrival of the shipment it accompanies may be accepted if it satisfies all the requirements
stated in Annex IV and if it is not considered necessary to undertake additional checks in accordance with Articles 3 and
4 of this Annex.
Article 6
Release for free circulation
1. Reference shall be made, in Box 44 of the Single Administrative Document on which the customs declaration for
release for free circulation appears, to the number of the licence covering the timber and derived products subject to this
declaration.
Where the customs declaration is made via an electronic procedure, the reference shall be provided in the appropriate
box.
2. The
timber
and
derived
products
shall
only
be
released
for
free
circulation
when
the
procedure
described
in
this
Annex has been completed.

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ANNEX IV
CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE ISSUING OF AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLEGT LICENCES
SECTION 1
FORMALITIES RELATING TO FLEGT LICENCE APPLICATIONS
Article 1
Any timber company from the CAR that would like to export the products of its logging, processing or business activities
to the Union is required to have a FLEGT licence for each shipment of timber products and for each destination in the
Union. The FLEGT licence is a way of ensuring that timber and derived products have been legally produced.
Article 2
A licence is issued following written request, in hard copy format, sent to the licensing authority. The licence application
must enable all the information noted in Appendix I to this Annex to be complete. The licence application must be
submitted on a standard template that will be circulated by the forest administration.
Article 3
The licensing authority is a body appointed by the Minister for Forests and under his authority. The body is attached to
the Minister’s office but is not a delegated function. It is a full structure in its own right.
The composition and powers of this licensing authority shall be defined by an order from the Minister of Forests, to be
issued during the Agreement implementation stage.
Article 4
The application must state in its subject line ‘FLEGT licence application’.
It must include the name of the concession, the number of the concession given on the forest register, the date of the
application and the applicant’s signature. The applicant must expressly indicate if he wishes to receive the FLEGT licence
in Douala.
For logs, the applicant must also indicate the forest management unit (UFG).
The application must clearly define the nature, origin, volume and destination of the product in question.
This application must be supported by the following customs documentation:
— specification document from the body responsible for securing export revenue (BIVAC);
— commercial export declaration (DEC);
— EUR.1 form;
— customs clearance receipt (exit fees, minimum set tax, fee for equipment in financial computer tools).
The FLEGT licence application form shall be defined during the development of the legality assurance system (LAS) and
then communicated by the licensing authority to interested parties, in particular exporters, and published.
Article 5
The application references shall be held in the files of the applicant company and must be the same as those submitted to
the office of the licensing authority.
Article 6
Applications submitted by companies shall be recorded by the licensing authority, which shall, in return, send acknowl
edgement of receipt.

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Article 7
Documents submitted by the applicant company (application form correctly filled in and customs documents referred to
in Article 4 of this Annex) shall be passed on to the Central Inspectorate for Water and Forests (ICEF), which shall verify
the legality of the shipment for which the licensing application has been made and issue an opinion with regard to its
compliance. The verification procedures to be followed are described in Annex V. ICEF verification is compulsory.
Article 8
With reference to the ICEF recommendation, the licensing authority then issues:
— when the authorisation is sent to Douala, notification of prior acceptance within a reduced overall timeframe, around
two working days from receipt of application, if the shipment in question is verified to be legal, according to the
procedure described in Annex V;
— when the authorisation is sent to Bangui, the licence within a reduced overall timeframe, around two working days
from receipt of the application, if the shipment in question is verified to be legal, according to the procedure described
in Annex V.
The procedure followed in case of non-compliance is set out in Annex V.
The verification results are communicated to the company and filed by the Forestry Data Centre (CDF) along with copies
of the licences issued. A record is kept to this effect by the licensing authority.
The formalities for FLEGT licence applications shall be scrutinised during the development of the LAS and then
communicated by the licensing authority to interested parties, in particular potential exporters, and published.
SECTION 2
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO FLEGT LICENCES
Article 9
A FLEGT licence may be in paper or electronic form.
The licence shall provide the information specified in Appendix 1, in accordance with the notes for guidance set out in
Appendix 2.
Article 10
The FLEGT licence shall be valid from the day it is issued.
The period of validity of the FLEGT licence shall be six months. The date of expiry shall be indicated on the licence.
After its expiry, the FLEGT licence shall be considered as void. In the case of duly noted ‘force majeure’, a new application
shall be made to the FLEGT licensing authority.
In the event that the timber products in question have been destroyed, a FLEGT licence shall cease to be valid and shall be
returned to the licensing authority.
Article 11
Licences in paper form shall comply with the format set out in Appendix 1.
Article 12
The paper to be used shall weigh 120 grams/m 2 .
The paper size shall be 21/29 cm (A4).
The colour of the paper used for the form shall be as follows:
— white for Form No 1, the ‘original’;
— yellow for Form No 2, the ‘copy for the Union customs authority’;

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— green for Form No 3, the ‘copy for the Central African Republic’s customs authority’;
— blue for Form No 4, the ‘copy for the licensing authority’.
Article 13
Licences shall be completed in typescript or by computerised means. They shall be signed by hand.
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.
The form may not contain any deletions or alterations, unless they have been authenticated by the stamp and signature of
the licensing authority.
Licences shall be printed and completed in French.
Article 14
The licence shall be drawn up in four copies, two of which shall be issued to the applicant.
Once filled in, initialled, signed and dated by the licensing authority:
— the first copy, marked ‘Original’, shall be given to the applicant for submission to the competent authorities of the
Union’s Member State in which the shipment covered by that licence is declared for release for free circulation;
— the second copy, marked ‘Copy for the Union customs authority’, shall be given to the applicant for submission to the
customs authority of the Member State of the Union in which the shipment covered by the licence is declared for
release for free circulation;
— the third copy, marked ‘Copy for the CAR customs authority’, shall be given to the CAR customs authority;
— the fourth copy, marked ‘Copy for the licensing authority’, shall be filed with the CDF by the licensing authority.
SECTION 3
FLEGT LICENCE LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED
Article 15
In the event of loss, theft or destruction of the ‘original’ and/or the ‘copy for the Union customs authority’, the licence
holder or his authorised representative may apply to the licensing authority for a replacement on the basis of the
document(s) in his possession or submitted during the FLEGT licence application.
In the event of loss, theft or destruction of the ‘copy for the CAR customs authority’, the licence holder or his authorised
representative may apply to the licensing authority for a replacement.
The licensing authority shall issue the replacement(s) within 24 hours of receipt of the request from the licence holder.
The replacements shall contain all the information and entries appearing on the licence they replace, including the licence
number.
The replacement document(s) shall bear the endorsement ‘duplicate’.
If the replacement document is lost, stolen or destroyed, no further replacement documents can be issued.
If the lost or stolen licence is retrieved, it shall be null and void and must be returned to the licensing authority.
SECTION 4
DOUBTS REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF A FLEGT LICENCE
Article 16
Where there is doubt regarding the validity of the licence or a replacement, the competent authorities may ask for
additional information from the licensing authority.

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If considered necessary, the licensing authority may ask the competent authority to send a copy of the licence or the
replacement in question.
If the licensing authority considers it necessary, it shall withdraw the licence and issue a corrected copy bearing the
endorsement ‘duplicate’, authenticated with its seal, and forward this to the competent authority.
If the validity of the licence is confirmed, the licensing authority shall notify the competent authority forthwith, preferably
by electronic means, and return the copies of the licence. The copies returned shall bear the endorsement ‘Validated on
…’, validated/authenticated by stamp.
In the event that the licence in question is not valid, the licensing authority shall notify the competent authority,
preferably by electronic means.

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Appendices
1. Licence form
2. Explanatory notes

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Appendix 1
Format of the FLEGT licence

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Appendix 2
Explanatory notes
General details
— Fill in the forms in capital letters.
— Where indicated, ISO codes refer to the two-letter country code, in accordance with international standards.
Box 1 Licensing
body Indicate
the
name
and
address
of
the
licensing
authority
Box 2 Country
of
origin:
Central
African
Republic (Nature of concession, Operator, Concession Nos., Forest
Management Unit, Contract No, E101 N o )
Box 3 FLEGT
licence
number Indicating
the
number
of
issue.
Box 4 Date
of
expiry Period
of
validity
of
the
licence.
Box 5 Country
of
export
This refers to the partner country from where the timber
products were exported to the EU.
Box 6 ISO
Code
Indicate the two-letter code for the partner country noted
in Box 5.
Box 7 Means
of
transport
Indicate means of transport from the point of export.
Box 8 Licence
holder
Indicate the name and address of the exporter.
Box 9 Commercial
designation
of
timber
and
Give the trade name of the timber product(s).
derived products
Box 10 HS
heading Give
the
four
to
six-digit
commodity
code
established
pursuant to the harmonised commodity description and
coding system.
Box 11 Common
or
scientific
names
Give the common or scientific names of the categories of
timber used in the product. Where more than one category
is used in a composite product, use a separate line for each
category. Optional in the case of composite product or
compounds that contain several unidentifiable categories.
Box 12 Country
of
harvest
Give the countries where the categories of timber referred
to in Box 10 were harvested. For a composite product, give
all the sources of timber used. Optional in the case of
composite products or compounds that contain several
unidentifiable categories.
Box 13 ISO
Codes
Give the ISO code of the countries referred to in Box 12.
Optional, in the case of composite products or compounds
that contain several unidentifiable categories (e.g. particle
board).
Box 14 Volume(s)
(m 3 ) Give
the
overall
volume
in
m 3 . Optional, unless the
information referred to in Box 15 has been omitted.
Box 15 Net
weight
Give the overall weight in kg. This is the net mass of the
timber products without immediate containers or any
packaging, other than struts, braces and labels, etc.
Optional, unless the information referred to in Box 14
has been omitted.
Box 16 Number
of
units
Give the number of units when this is the best way of
quantifying a manufactured product. Optional.

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Box 17 Distinguishing
marks Indicate
any
distinguishing
marks
where
appropriate
e.g.
lot number or bill of lading number. Optional.
Box 18 Signature
and
stamp
of
licensing
body The
box
shall
be
signed
by
the
authorised
official
and
stamped with the official stamp of the licensing authority,
also indicating place and date.

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ANNEX V
LEGALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM (LAS)
I. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
(a) Presentation of the sector
The CAR covers a total area of 623 000 km 2 , and comprises different ecosystems, including 54 000 km 2 of
equatorial forest found in two blocks: the forest mass in the south-west, covering 3 800 000 ha and the forest
mass in the south-east, covering 1 600 000 ha. Only the forest mass in the south-west is currently under
industrial exploitation.
Eleven logging companies are currently operating there with an average annual production of approx.
600 000 m 3 of logs and 200 000 m 3 of sawn timber (source: MEFCP statistical yearbook).
The main destinations for the CAR’s timber are: Europe, Asia, America and Africa.
(b) The structures currently responsible for control
The control structures that currently carry out control functions in the different ministerial departments, both
at central and decentralised level, are given below.
— The Ministry for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries
At central level: documentary verification is undertaken on a daily basis, whilst field checks are of variable
frequency (quarterly or six-monthly):
— the General Directorate for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries (DGEFCP), through two departments: the
forest logging and industry department (DEIF) and the forest inventory and land-use department (DIAF);
— the Central Inspectorate for Water and Forests (ICEF);
— the Forestry Data Centre (CDF);
— the mobile intervention and verification brigade (BMIV), made up of the following ministerial elements:
— Ministry for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries
— Ministry of Finances
— Ministry of National Defence (police);
— the Department for Legal Affairs and Litigation (DAJC).
At decentralised level: the frequency of decentralised controls is not as regulated. Checks may be quarterly or
six-monthly. Border post controls are undertaken on a daily basis, however, every time a loaded lorry passes:
— the General Directorate for Regional Services, through the regional water and forests departments, the
prefectural-level inspectorates and the border inspectorates;
— the Ministry for the Environment and Ecology:
— the General Directorate for the Environment;
— the Central Inspectorate for the Environment and Ecology;
— the Ministry of Finances and Budgets:
— General Inspectorate of Finances;
— General Directorate for Customs;

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— General Directorate for Taxes;
— the Ministry of Trade and Industry:
— Central Inspectorate for Trade;
— General Directorate for Trade and Competition;
— decentralised department of the Ministry of Trade through the ‘One Stop Shop’ (guichet unique);
— the Ministry of the Civil Service, Social Security and Youth Employment:
— Central Inspectorate for Labour;
— Labour inspection unit of the administrative district;
— Department for recovery and litigation within the National Social Security Office (CNSS);
— General Directorate of ACFPE;
— the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;
— the Ministry of Justice:
— judicial inspection unit;
— President of the Trade Court;
— Clerk to the Trade Court;
— the Ministry for the Civil Service and Regional Administration:
— traffic police.
(c) Identifying areas for improvement
Implementation of the LAS requires improvements in the following areas:
— Legal framework: several regulatory texts, above all laws on different codes (Environment Code, December
2007; Forest Code, 2008) exist in the CAR to improve its forest sector governance. Nonetheless, analysis
and preparation work for the Agreement has shown that the CAR’s forestry regulations need further
additions.
— Institutional framework:
The Ministry for Water and Forests, which is primarily responsible for management, suffers from a number
of problems in terms of implementing its policies efficiently. These difficulties explain the irregularity of the
controls:
— human resources are currently insufficient and lacking in qualifications;
— material resources: a lack of appropriate equipment for verification work, logistical needs in terms of
data gathering, processing and management, and the working environment;
— financial resources: the CAR is experiencing financial difficulties due to the enormous needs. The CAS-
DF, which is one of the sector’s financial support mechanisms, is useful but insufficient to cover these
needs and respond to the challenges of forest governance. Moreover, it is sometimes called on to
respond to unplanned needs outside of the forest sector.
Independent monitoring
Civil society is organised in a platform but skills and resources are currently limited and prevent it from
undertaking independent monitoring.
Independent audit
The CAR does not currently have an external audit system or one that would cast an ‘independent’ eye over its
forest system.
Annex IX proposes, in particular, additional measures to remedy a number of these observations.

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1.2. Coverage
of
the
LAS
The products covered by the LAS are given in Annex I.
The LAS applies to all current sources of timber and derived products open to export. In 2010, this relates to:
— exploitation and land-use permits (PEAs);
— plantations (also known as ‘reforestation areas’).
Timber in transit and imported timber are covered by the LAS. Imported timber is also used for timber and
derived products exported to markets outside of the Union.
In contrast, the LAS does not apply to timber from:
— community forests; or
— artisanal logging permits.
In fact, to date, and although these provisions are anticipated in the Forestry Code, there are not yet any
community forests or artisanal logging permits in the CAR. These sources are therefore not considered in the
LAS. Timber and derived products could soon be coming from community forests or artisanal logging permits,
however, and could be exported to the Union in the future. They will then be taken into account in the LAS.
The domestic consumer market for timber is not covered by the LAS described in this Agreement. Local activities
that supply national consumption of timber and derived products are properly monitored, according to provisions
external to this Agreement. The LAS described in this Agreement guarantees that exported products do not include
products coming from the domestic market.
2.
DEFINITION OF LEGALITY AND VERIFICATION OF THE LEGALITY OF TIMBER
2.1. Legality
matrices
The CAR has legislation (Forestry Code, Environment Code, CEMAC Customs Code, General Tax Code, Labour
Code and social laws, etc.) and implementing regulations, the provisions of which concerning forest activities have
been broken down into principles, criteria and indicators in two legality matrices (PEAs and plantations) given in
Annex II.
Some of the indicators in this matrices have no legal reference at the date of signing this Agreement. Appropriate
legal or regulatory references (in particular those referred to in Annex IX) will be created during the Agreement
implementation phase and prior to the CAR issuing its first FLEGT licence. The matrices and, more generally, the
LAS, will be updated in line with regulatory changes. The annexes to the Agreement will be amended as a
consequence of any decision of the Joint Implementation Committee, in accordance with Article 26 of the
Agreement.
No community forests or artisanal permits have been approved in the CAR. The matrices relating to community
forests and artisanal permits will be developed when the is implemented Agreement and prior to the first
allocations of these concessions.
2.2. Verification
of
the
legality
matrices
Verification of legality is done by a number of centralised and decentralised ministerial bodies, which may be
supported in their tasks by an independent civil society monitor. These ministerial bodies are the following:
— the General Directorate for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries (DGEFCP) through two departments: the
forest logging and industry department (DEIF) and the forest inventory and land-use department (DIAF), which
carry out a variety of checks at central level;
— the General Directorate for Regional Services (DGSR), through the regional departments (DR), the prefectural-
level inspectorates and the border inspectorates, carried out a variety of checks at regional level;
— the CDF collects, centralises and processes data, within a database management system (SGBD);

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— the Central Inspectorate for Water and Forests (ICEF) supervises and guarantees the proper functioning of
legality assurance;
— the mobile intervention and verification brigade (BMIV) carries out spontaneous verification missions;
— the Department for Legal Affairs and Disputes within the Ministry for Water and Forests verifies the register of
infringements and transaction payments;
— the regional Departments of Labour verify compliance with employment and social protection rules;
— the General Directorate for Taxes ensures tax registration (NIF) and regular payment of taxes;
— the General Directorate for Urban Planning and Housing is involved through the issuing of land titles (relating
to plantations);
— the President of the Trade Court verifies that the company has not been convicted by any court;
— the Clerks to the Trade Court verify that the company is properly registered;
— the Department for Collection, Control and Disputes (of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS)) verifies the
payment of social contributions;
— the Department of Studies, Planning and Employment verifies that staff files are up-to-date.
The independent civil society monitor: this is formed of several CAR NGOs that make up the civil society platform
for forest governance. This monitor supports the ministerial departments involved in verification.
The following table describes the methods for verifying the legality of timber and derived products.
Explanation of table:
1st column: legality matrix indicators that must be fulfilled before a shipment can be considered legal and a licence
issued.
2nd column: verifiers showing that the indicator has indeed been fulfilled.
3rd and 4th columns: departments and structures responsible for verifying the indicator.
5th column: verification methodology to be confirmed during the Agreement implementation phase.
6th column: bodies responsible for checking verification and methodology.

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IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
1.1.1 Registration
with
the
1.1.1.1: Ministerial decision Ministry of Trade and General Directorate for Trade,
Methodology: Body
responsible:
economic administration: giving authorisation for
Industry
Competition and Consumption/
Ministry of Trade and
logging operations
Department for Competition/Com
Industry
petition and Anti-Fraud Service;
EN

1 - Check commercial authori
Central Inspectorate for Trade
sation
Decentralised department of the
Commercial authorisation is issued Central Inspectorate for Water and
Ministry of Trade through the ‘One once only; traditionally it is verified Forests (ICEF)
Stop Shop’ (‘guichet unique’)
at the same time as the profes
sional trader’s card.
Off
Department for Domestic Trade Methodology:
icial
Jour
2 - Check renewal of the Profes
Cent. Insp. Ministry of Trade
nal
sional Trader’s Card
of
the
1 - Renewal of the trader’s card
1 - Receives summary report from the
European
must be undertaken during the
Department of Trade and provides
first half of the year (from 1
documentary check
January to 30 June)
Union
2 - Verification of renewal is thus 2 - Checks a sample group and
done each year systematically
produces an official report
through visits to all commercial
establishments from 1 July
onwards
3 - Sends information on samples
checked to CDF c/o ICEF
1.1.1.2. Professional trader’s
3 - Should this not be renewed,
ICEF
licence
the DGCCC sends notification to
the trader
19.7.2012
4 - Official report drawn up once
the trader’s opinion has been heard
and

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IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
5 - Fine notified (letter signed by 1 - Checks that CDF inputs
Minister of Trade)
information into the SGBD
Frequency: Frequency:
EN

1.1.1.1: once only 1.1.1.1:
once
only
1.1.1.2: annual 1.1.1.2:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
1.1.1.1: Cent.
Insp.
Ministry
of
Trade
1 - Entry in the database of the
1 - Produces an official report (PV)
icial
decentralised department of the
Ministry of Trade, through the
Jour
‘One Stop Shop’
nal
2 - CDF informs SGBD ICEF:
of
the
1.1.1.2: 1
-
SGBD
European
informed
of
results
of
check
1 - Official report (hard copy)
produced for the General Direc
Union
torate of Trade and filed
2 - CDF informs SGBD
Flows: Flows:
Flow 1: Registration (commercial
1 - From Central Inspectorate for
authorisation)
Trade to CDF c/o the Central Inspec
torate for Water and Forests
1 - Department of Domestic Trade 2 - From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
sends quarterly list (electronic and authority (form for transferring verifi
paper versions) of new companies cation result to be defined)
or activities registered that affect
the forest/timber sector to the CDF
(formality through the One Stop
L
Shop)
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2 - CDF informs SGBD

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(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
3 - Paper-based version of list sent
to ICEF
Flow 2: Renewal of registration
EN

DGCC:
Annual report on the situation of
all forest-timber sector companies
sent to the Central Inspectorate for
Trade, with copy to CDF c/o ICEF
(form for information exchange to
be developed)
CDF:
Off
icial
1 - Receives summary report
Jour
2 - Informs SGBD
nal
of
1.1.2 Registration
with
the
tax 1.1.2.1 Valid taxpayer’s card Ministry
for
Water,
Forestry Data Centre (CDF) Methodology: Body
responsible:
Central
Inspectorate
the
administration (Ministry
Forests, Hunting and
for Water and Forests
of Finances and Budget,
Fisheries
European
General Department of
Taxation)
Ministry of Finances
Tax Registration Department
1 - Tax Registration Department
Methodology:
Union
and Budgets
(Department of Studies, Tax Legis (Department of Studies, Tax Legis
lation, Registration and Disputes)
lation, Registration and Disputes)
sends quarterly list (electronic and
paper versions) of new companies
or activities registered that affect
the forest-timber sector to the CDF
c/o ICEF, with the following
information: name of the company
or individual, tax registration
number (NIF) and date of regis
tration (information exchange form
to be developed)
1.1.2.2: Slip bearing tax
2 - CDF receives list 1
-
Receive
list
sent
by
the
CDF
registration number (NIF)
3 - SGBD informed 2
-
Verify
company
compliance
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3 - SGBD informed of each company’s
results

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IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: once only for a given
Frequency: once only for a given
company
company
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

1 - CDF informs SGBD 1
-
SGBD
informed
of
results
of
verification check
2 - Files (paper copy) of the list
Flows: Paper copy of list sent to
Flows: ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
ICEF
authority
1.1.3 Registration
with
the
1.1.3.1: Proof of CNSS
Ministry of Labour Department
for
Collection,
Control
Methodology: Body
responsible:
ICEF
icial
National Social Security
registration
and Disputes/Collections Section
Office (CNSS).
Jour
nal
1 - Registration request submitted Methodology:
of
to the One Stop Shop (Department
for Collection, Control and
the
Disputes/Registration Section)
European
1 - Receive list sent by CDF
Union
2 - File sent to the National Social 2 - Verify company compliance
Security Office (CNSS) to verify
previous registrations and allocate 3 - SGBD informed of each company’s
registration number
results
3 - Visit to company premises to
check veracity of declaration: actual
start-up date, number of staff and
wage bill
4 - Produce rectification report in
the event of false declaration
NB: currently, 48 hours after
registration with the Tax Dept., the
L
CNSS automatically opens an
191/151
employer file, gathering
information directly from the Tax
Department.

---

L 191/152
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: on each registration Frequency:
once
only
for
a
given
company
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

Ministry of Labour
1 - Enters on the database of the
One Stop Shop (digital)
2 - Opens an employer file (paper
version)
3 - Registers the employer file
Off
(paper version)
icial
Jour
4 - Backs up on a punched card at SGBD informed
CNSS (digital)
nal
of
In the event of false declaration:
the
European
1 - Rectification report (paper
format)
Union
2 - Control report from collections
department
Ministry of Forests/CDF
1 - Files (paper copy) list of
companies and their situations
2 - SGBD informed
Flows: Flows:
1 - Quarterly list of registered
From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
employers sent with their regis
authority
tration number to the CDF c/o
ICEF (electronic and paper) for
19.7.2012
inputting into SGBD (information
exchange procedures to be devel
oped)

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
2 - CDF sends a copy of the list of
the situation of each company to
ICEF
EN
1.1.4 Registration
with
the
1.1.4.1: Report of the PEA Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water,
Methodology: Body
responsible:

Central
Inspectorate
forest administration
award committee under the for forests
Forests, Hunting and Fisheries
for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing
following a valid award
responsibility of the Ministry
(DGEFCP)
procedure
responsible for forests
Methodology:
For companies in existence in
2010
icial
1 - Verification in the forest ledger 1 - Receive report sent by the DGEF
for each PEA
Jour
nal
2 - Report produced with the key 2 - Check the validity of information
of
information: (PEA No, award date, for all PEAs
the
beneficiary)
European
1.1.4.2: Report of the inde
3 - Report sent to CDF c/o ICEF
3 - SGBD informed of verification
pendent monitor under the
with paper copies of the decrees
check
responsibility of the Ministry
approving the award (form to be
Union
responsible for forests
developed)
For new companies
1.1.4.3: Decree allocating
1 - Key data sent as received along
exploitation and land-use
with a paper copy of the decree to
permits (PEAs)
CDF c/o ICEF and to ICEF
Frequency: once only for a given
Frequency: once only for a given
company
company
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
1 - Input key data into SGBD SGBD
informed
L
191/153
2 - Digitise decree and include in
SGBD

---

L 191/154
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
3 - File in paper format
4 - Update information
EN

Flows: DGEF to CDF and ICEF Flows:
ICEF
to
the
FLEGT
licensing
authority
1.1.5 Registration
with
the
1.1.5.1: Trade and Secured Ministry of Justice Clerk
to
the
Trade
Court
and
Body responsible: Clerk to the Trade
judicial administration
Loans Register (RCCM)
President of the Trade Court
Court and President of the Trade
(Ministry of Justice, Trade
Court/ICEF
Court)
Methodology: Methodology:
Off
icial
1.1.5.2. Minutes of
1 - Regular checks of the register 1 - Regular checks of the register and
Jour
notarised formation
and registration documents, calling registration documents, calling the
the interested party to the Trade
interested Party to the Trade Court
nal
Court should it be suspended
should it be suspended
of
the
2 - Verification of document 2
-
Verification
of
document
European
1.1.5.3: Notification of
Frequency: as necessary: change in Frequency: as necessary: change in
registration number by the
capital, demerger, change of
capital, demerger, change of manager,
Union
Clerk to the Trade Court
manager, additional activities, etc., additional activities, etc.
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Registration in the ‘national file’ Registration
in
the
‘national
file’
SGBD informed SGBD
informed
of
results
of
verifi
cation check
Flows: Flows:
1 - Quarterly list sent of
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
companies registered and results of
verifications conducted over the
19.7.2012
course of the year (the procedure
for information exchange has to be
developed)

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
2 - CDF informs SGBD
1.1.6 Registration
with
the
1.1.6.1: Employer records
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
admin
Methodology: Body
responsible:
Department
of
labour and employment
numbered and signed off by
istrative district
Labour and Social Security / Ministry
EN
administration.
the labour inspector for the
responsible for forests

administrative district
(Ministry for Labour and
General Directorate for Labour and Employer register signed off
Methodology:
Employment, Labour
Social Security
annually
Inspectorate)
Ministry of Labour
1 - Examines activity reports of the
Regional Labour and Social Security
icial
Inspector
Jour
2 - Summarises the general situation
nal
of each company for the past year and
of
sends to CDF c/o ICEF, according to a
the
procedure to be developed
European
Ministry responsible for forests
1 - CDF receives documents
Union
2 - Informs SGBD
3 - Sends hard copy to ICEF
4 - Checks that ICEF has input it
Frequency: once only for a given
Frequency: once only for a given
company but updated annually
company but updated annually
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Ministry of Labour
L
191/155
Annual report sent to the
Annual report sent to the General
Department for Labour and Social Directorate for Labour and Social
Security (DTPS)
Security (DGTPS)

---

L 191/156
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Ministry responsible for forests
1 - CDF informs SGBD
EN

2 - CDF files paper copy
3 - ICEF informs SGBD of the results
of CDF’s inputting
Flows: Flows:
Inspectorate to DTPS
DTPS to DGTPS and to CDF/ICEF
Off
icial
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
Jour
1.1.7 Registration
with
the
1.1.7.1: Consular attestation Ministry
responsible Forestry Data Centre (CDF)
nal
Body
responsible:
Central
Inspectorate
consular chambers:
for forests
for Water and Forests
of
Chamber of Commerce
and Industry
the
European
Methodology: Methodology:
Ministry of Trade Company
registration
section 1 - Company registration section Inform SGBD of the results of the
Union
(Chamber of Commerce) through
(Chamber of Commerce) to send
verification check
the ‘One Stop Shop’
quarterly copies of the consular
attestations (ACs) and the list of
companies registered by the
company registration section
(Chamber of Commerce) to the
CDF c/o ICEF, through the ‘One
Stop Shop’
2 - Received by CDF
3 - SGBD informed
4 - Verification of company
compliance
19.7.2012
5 - Each company’s results input
into SGBD

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
6 - SGBD updated quarterly
Frequency: once only for a given
Frequency: once only for a given
company
company
EN

Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
CDF informs SGBD SGBD
updated
File (paper copy)
Flows: Flows:
icial
Send copy of ACs to ICEF ICEF
to
the
FLEGT
licensing
authority
Jour
nal
1.1.8 Registration
with
the
1.1.8.1: Numbered and
Ministry of Labour General
Directorate
of
ACFPE: Methodology: Body
responsible:
Central African Agency
stamped request for
Department of Financial Affairs
of
for Vocational Training
employer’s registration
(dispute monitoring section)
the
and Employment
European
(ACFPE).
Regional Labour Inspectorate
Union
Regular verification by ACPFE is
Department for Labour and Social
undertaken at the same time as the Security / General Directorate of
verifications of the relevant
ACFPE
regional Labour Inspectorate and
according to the same procedures
The following is proposed: Methodology
1 - List of new companies or
Ministry of Labour
activities registered that affect the
forest-timber sector sent quarterly
to CDF (electronic and paper
versions)
L
191/157
2 - CDF receives list 1
-
Examines
activity
reports
of
the
Regional Labour and Social Security
Inspector

---

L 191/158
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
3 - SGBD informed 2
-
Summarises
the
general
situation
of each company for the past year and
send to CDF c/o ICEF, according to a
procedure to be developed
EN

Ministry responsible for forests
1 - CDF receives documents
2 - Informs SGBD
3 - Sends hard copy to ICEF
4 - Checks that ICEF has input it
Off
icial
Frequency: once only for a given
Frequency: once only for a given
Jour
company
company
nal
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
of
the
CDF informs SGBD SGBD
informed
of
results European
of
verifi
cation check
File (paper copy)
Union
Flows: Flows:
Paper copy of list sent to ICEF ICEF
to
the
FLEGT
licensing
authority
1.2.1 Payment
of
CNSS
1.2.1.1: CNSS certification
Ministry of Labour Collections
Section
of
the
Methodology: Body
responsible:
Department
for
contributions
or receipt
Department for Collection, Control
Collection, Control and Disputes/Col
and Disputes (DRCC)
lections Section/ Central Inspectorate
for Water and Forests
1 - Update employer file at end of
period
Periods:
Large employers (20 staff or more) Methodology:
19.7.2012
pay contributions monthly and
have one month to declare the
previous month

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Small employers (less than 20
Department for Collection, Control and
staff) pay contributions quarterly
Disputes
and have 15 days to pay
EN
2 - Send follow-up letter to
Regular verification in case of suspicion

offenders specifying the fine to be or complaint
paid (10 % of total amount)
Produces a control report (PV)
3 - Triggering of a legal procedure ICEF
10 days after the follow-up, in the
event of non-payment
1 - Receives list sent by CDF
4 - Produce a quarterly report 2
-
Verifies
the
compliance
of
CDF’s
inputting, and the status of each
icial
employer
Jour
3 - Informs SGBD of the results
nal
of
Frequency: quarterly Frequency:
quarterly
the
European
DRCC: as necessary
ICEF: monthly
Union
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Follow-up report (PV) (paper
DRCC: Control report
format)
Filing by the CDF ICEF:
SGBD
informed
Flows: Flows:
List of companies and their
DRCC sends control reports to ICEF,
situation sent quarterly to CDF c/o which sends them on to CDF for
ICEF (paper format on a form to
inputting
L
be developed) in order to inform
ICEF presents the situation of each
191/159
SGBD; the CDF informs SGBD,
sends a paper copy to ICEF and
company to the licensing authority
files the document (paper format)

---

L 191/160
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
1.2.2 Payment
of
ACPFE
1.2.2.1: Quarterly
Ministry of Labour Department
of
Studies,
Planning Methodology: Body
responsible:
contributions
declaration of salaries paid
and Employment (DEPE)
ACFPE 1
-
Check
work
contracts
and
Department for Labour and Social
EN
ACFPE stamp to ensure compliance Security

with the minimum wage for each
socio-professional category
Administrative and Financial
2 - Verification of staff files ICEF
Department (DAF)
3 - Quarterly verification of pay
Methodology:
slips
Off
icial
Regional Inspectorate for the
4 - Write mission report Ministry
of
Labour
relevant administrative district
Jour
nal
5 - Produce quarterly report giving 1 - Receives information on staff
the situation of each company,
declaration from DAF
of
according to a procedure to be
the
developed
2 - Verifies stamp
European
6 - Send quarterly report to CDF 3 - Sends request to DAF via the
c/o ICEF
collections section for payment of the
employer contribution
Union
4 - Annual report with copy to CDF
c/o ICEF
1.2.1.2: Proof of payment of
Frequency: Frequency:
employers’ contributions
— annual, for the last 4 quarters
(Ministry of Labour)
quarterly —
quarterly
-
Ministry
responsible
for
forests (ICEF)
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
19.7.2012
Mission reports Annual
Reports
Quarterly Reports SGBD
informed

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Flows: Flows:
DEPE/DAF to CDF c/o ICEF DGTPS
to
ICEF
EN

ICEF to the licensing authority
1.3.1 The
company’s
activities 1.3.1.1: Records of court
Ministry of Justice The
clerks Methodology: Body
responsible:
have not been suspended rulings
following a court ruling.
Clerks: Ministry
of
Justice:
High
Court
(TGI)
Ministry responsible
Department for Legal Affairs and
1 - Enter infringements committed MEFCP: General Directorate for
icial
for forests
Litigation of the Ministry
on the register of each regional
Support Services (DGSA)
responsible for forests (DAJC).
court
Jour
nal
2 - Produce a report (paper format Methodology:
of
according to a template to be
the
developed) for each infringement
and an annual report
European
Regional Department for Water
3 - Send report(s) and a copy of
High Court:
and Forests (DR)
the record of the judgment to the
Union
Regional Department for Water
1 - Checks that the register of
and Forests (DR) of the adminis
judgments is properly maintained
trative district, for the Prefectural
2 - Produces an annual report, a copy
Courts, according to a procedure
of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF
to be developed.
4 - Send report and a copy of the
record of the judgment to the
DAFC with copy to CDF c/o ICEF
either through the DREF or
through the court clerks in Bangui
DAJC: DGSA:
L
1 - Enters on the infringements
Checks the infringements register is
191/161
register (document to be estab
properly maintained
lished as it is not kept at the
moment)

---

L 191/162
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
CDF: ICEF:
1 - Informs database Checks
CDF
has
informed
SGBD
EN
File report

Frequency: Frequency:
on each suspension annually
1.3.1.2.: Registers of
Ministry responsible
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
infringements held by the
for forests
Ministry responsible for
Off
forests
icial
Jour
Clerks: ICEF:
nal
Enter on the register of regional
Informs SGBD of results of control
of
court judgments
the
European
Produce a report filed in paper
format
Union
DAJC:
Keeps an infringements register
CDF:
Informs SGBD
Files a paper copy of the report
and record of the judgment
Flows: Flows:
Prefectural-level courts:
19.7.2012
1 - Report from clerks to the court ICEF to the licensing authority
to the DREF

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
2 - Send report to the DAJC with
copy to CDF c/o ICEF
Bangui Courts:
EN

1 - Report from clerks to the court
to DAJC with copy to CDF c/o
ICEF
1.3.2 The
company’s
activities 1.3.2.1: Registers of
Ministry responsible
Department for Legal Affairs and
Methodology:
Body responsible:
have not been suspended infringements held by the
for forests
Litigation of the Ministry
following an adminis
Ministry responsible for
responsible for forests (DAJC).
1.3.2.1: idem 1.3.1
ICEF
trative sanction.
forests
Methodology:
icial
1.3.2.2:
Jour
nal
1.3.2.2: Suspension decision
1 - DAJC updates the
DGSA:
of
of the Minister for the
infringements register
Checks the infringements register is
the
Environment
2 - Write report
properly maintained
European
3 - Send report and decision to
CDF c/o ICEF
Union
ICEF:
Checks CDF has informed SGBD
Frequency: at each suspension Frequency:
annual
Back-up of results: Back-up
of
results:
DAJC: ICEF:
Keeps an infringements register SGBD
informed
of
results
of
check
CDF:
Informs SGBD
L
191/163
Files report and suspension
decision in paper format

---

L 191/164
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Flows: Flows:
DAJC to CDF c/o ICEF ICEF
to
the
FLEGT
licensing
authority
EN
1.4 .1 The
company
is
up-to- 1.4.1.1: Receipt for payment Ministry responsible
DGEF, the mobile intervention and Methodology:
Body responsible:

date with payments of
of transaction or fine/penalty for forests
verification brigade (BMIV)
fines and penalties
amount
1 - Prior verification of the
Central Inspectorate for Water, Forests,
incurred for infringe
infringements register before each Hunting and Fishing
ments
regular visit of the BMIV and the
General Directorate of Water and
Forests
2 - Visit of the accounting services
Off
3 - Writing of report Methodology:
icial
4 - Send report to ICEF in 2
Check CDF has informed SGBD and
Jour
copies, one of which is sent
SGBD informed of the result
directly to the CDF
nal
of
Frequency: quarterly Frequency:
six-monthly
the
European
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Visit report in paper and digital
Inform SGBD
Union
formats filed at the CDF and DGEF
Inform SGBD
Flows: Flows:
DGEF to CDF c/o ICEF and to this ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
latter
2.1.1 All
stages
(informing
2.1.1.1: Report of the PEA Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water and Methodology:
Body responsible: Central Inspectorate
population, tender,
award committee under the for forests
Forests (DGEFCP)
for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing
request for concession,
responsibility of the Ministry
1 - Verify the existence of the
award committee,
responsible for forests
award decree in the MEFCP’s
including the inde
archives for all licences already
pendent monitor) leading 2.1.1.2: Report of the inde
allocated and date of award
to the award of a forest pendent monitor under the
2 - Verify the existence of the
19.7.2012
logging concession have responsibility of the Ministry
contractual document (final and/or
been properly followed
responsible for forests
provisional agreement depending
by the company,
on the date of award)

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
observing the deadlines
3 - Produce a report with the key
set by the laws and
information: (PEA No, award date,
regulations of the CAR,
beneficiary, nature of contractual
before and after
document and date of signing)
enactment of Law No
EN
08.022 on the Forestry

Code.
2.1.1.3.: Decree allocating
4 - Send report to ICEF and to
Methodology:
exploitation and land-use
CDF c/o the former, with copies in
permits (PEAs)
paper format of the award decree
and the contractual document(s)
1 - Receive report sent by DGEF
2.1.1.4: Provisional
2 - Check the validity of information
icial
agreement in the three
for all PEAs
months following the
Jour
signing of the decree
3 - Inform SGBD of the verification
check
nal
of
2.1.1.5: Final agreement in
the
the three years following
European
signing of the provisional
agreement
Frequency: once only for a given
Frequency: once only for a given PEA
Union
PEA
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Input key data into SGBD Inform
SGBD
Digitisation and inclusion of decree
in SGBD
Filing in paper format
Updating of information at time of
each new award or return to State
domain
L
Flows:
Flows:
191/165
DGEF to ICEF
From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
authority

---

L 191/166
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
2.1.2 The
company
has
paid
all
2.1.2.1: Proof of payment of Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water and Methodology: Body
responsible:
Central
Inspectorate
the costs involved in each the application’s costs
for forests
Forests (DGEFCP)
for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fishing
stage of the award
process.
EN

2.1.2.2: Proof of payment of
1 - Verify the existence of receipts Methodology:
the pre-recognition fee
for the costs of the files, of the pre-
recognition fee and three years’
rent (company established after
2003) in the MEFCP’s archives
2 - Produce a report with the key 1 - Receive report sent by DGEF
information: PEA number, award
date, beneficiary, number of
receipts and amounts paid
Off
icial
2.1.2.3: Receipt for payment
3 - Send report to CDF under the 2 - Check the validity of information
Jour
of three years’ rental within
ICEF’s responsibility and to this
for all PEAs
15 days of notification of
latter, with paper copies of receipts
nal
award (for licences allocated
of
after 2003)
the
European
3 - Inform SGBD of the verification
check
Frequency: once only for a given
Frequency: once only for a given award
Union
award
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Input into the SGBD Inform
SGBD
Digitisation and inclusion of decree
in SGBD
Filing in paper format
Updating of information at time of
each new award or return to
domain
19.7.2012
Flows: DGEF to ICEF Flows:
From
ICEF
to
the
FLEGT
licensing authority

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
2.1.3 In
the
case
of
plantations
2.1.3.1: Land title in the
Ministry of Planning
General Directorate of Planning
Methodology:
Body responsible:
belonging to a private
name of the individual or
(land register)
individual or community, community
General Directorate for Taxes and Verify the existence of a record of Central Planning Inspectorate
the individual or
Ministry of Finances
Domains (DGID)
the land ownership title
Inform the SGBD
community has a
and Budgets
Frequency: once only
EN
property title.

Back-up of results:
Input into the SGBD
Flows:
Flows:
From the General Directorate for
From the Central Planning Inspectorate
Planning to the General Directorate to ICEF and from ICEF to the licensing
for Taxes and Domains
authority
From the General Directorate for
Taxes to DGEF
icial
Jour
From DGEF to ICEF
nal
2.2.1 The
company
has
an 2.2.1.1: Approval note for
Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water and Methodology: Body
responsible:
of
annual felling authori
management plan for PEAs for forests
Forests (DGEFCP)
the
sation duly issued by the with a final agreement.
ICEF
European
Forests Administration.
2.2.1.2: Approval note for
PEA with a final agreement
Methodology:
annual operating plan for
Union
PEAs with a final agreement
1 - Documentary examination, by
a committee established to this
effect, of the management plan and
PAO submitted by the company in
the context of the MEFCP’s rating
system
2.2.1.3: Provisional felling
2 - Letter of PAO approval, if
Verify the existence of the approval
agreement signed by the
submission satisfactory
letter for the PG and PAO and minutes
relevant authority
of the meeting
PEA with a provisional logging
agreement
Verification already undertaken in
2.1.1
Frequency: Frequency:
L
191/167
annual for PAO and five-yearly for annual for PAO and five-yearly for PG
PG

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L 191/168
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
DGEF files PAO approval letter in Inform the SGBD that the point has
the SGBD and in the archives in
been verified
EN
paper format

Flows: Flows:
1 - Approval letter sent by DGEF From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
to the company, ICEF, PARPAF
authority
(projet d’appui à la réalisation des
plans d’aménagements forestiers),
DGSR and meeting minutes with
rating to CDF c/o ICEF and to the
Off
latter
icial
Jour
2.2.2 In
the
case
of
plantations
2.2.2.1: Agreement of the
Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water and Methodology
Body responsible:
belonging to the State,
Minister for Forests
for forests
Forests (DGEFCP)
nal
the company has auth
2.2.2.1 to 2.2.2.3:
ICEF
2.2.2.2: Exploration authori
of
orisation from the
sation
Request sent to the Minister for
Methodology: Verify the existence of
the
Ministry responsible for
Forests
the exploration report and ministerial
forests to log a plantation 2.2.2.3: Exploration report
agreement
European
Exploration authorisation given by
2.2.2.4: Simple management
DGEF
plan for plantations of 50 ha
or more, in line with the
Exploration undertaken by the
company or individual and
Union
General Conditions
submission of report to DGEF
Documentary and field verification
by DGET and granting of minis
terial agreement
Frequency: on each request Frequency:
quarterly
Back up Result
backup:
Filing, in paper format (DGEF and Inform the SGBD that the point has
CDF) and electronic format (CDF), been verified
of the request, the exploration
authorisation and the ministerial
agreement
19.7.2012
Flows:
Flows: From ICEF to the FLEGT
licensing authority
From applicant to DGEF

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
From DGEF to applicant and ICEF
(CDF)
2.2.3 In
the
case
of
plantations
2.2.3.1: Felling authorisation Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water and Methodology
Body responsible: ICEF
EN
belonging to a private
issued to the operator
for forests
Forests (DGEFCP)

individual or community, (owner or contracted
2.2.3.1:
Methodology: Verify the existence of
the individual or
operator) by the Ministry
the exploration report and felling
Request sent to the Minister for
community has felling
authorisation
Forests
authorisations
2.2.3.2: Simple management
plan for plantations of 50 ha
Exploration authorisation given by
or more, in line with the
DGEF
General Conditions
Exploration undertaken by the
2.2.3.3: Where appropriate,
company or individual and
a contract between the indi
submission of report to DGEF
vidual or community and
operating company.
Documentary and field verification
icial
by DGET and granting of felling
authorisation
Jour
nal
Frequency: on each request Frequency:
quarterly
of
the
Back up Back-up
of
result:
European
Filing, in paper format (DGEF and Inform the SGBD that the point has
CDF) and digital format (CDF), of been verified
the request, the exploration auth
Union
orisation and the felling authori
sation
Flows:
Flows:
From applicant to DGEF
From DGEF to applicant and ICEF From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
(CDF)
authority
2.3.1 The
company
informs
the
2.3.1.1: Reports of
Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Regional
Methodology:
Body responsible:
local and indigenous
awareness-raising meetings
for forests
Services (DGSR)/Regional Director
communities, local auth
written by the company and
(DR)
Regular verification of the
Director General for Regional Services
orities and all interested
jointly approved with the
existence of minutes by the
(DGSR)
parties of the signing of different stakeholders.
regional departments
L
the provisional agreement
191/169
and the opening up of
the provisional cutting
area.

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L 191/170
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Methodology:
Verify the existence of the report
EN
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual

Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Write mission report Inform
SGBD
Send report to DGSR
Off
DGSR sends report to DGEF and
icial
CDF
Jour
Flows: Flows:
nal
of
From regional departments to
From ICEF to the licensing authority
the
DGSR
European
From DGSR to DGEF and CDF
(ICEF)
Union
3.1.1 Environmental
impact 3.1.1.1: Reports of environ Ministry of the
General Directorate for the
Methodology:
Body responsible:
assessments have been
mental impact assessments
Environment and
Environment (DGE)
conducted.
approved for each
Ecology
1 - Documentary examination of Department for Environmental
production site (PEA +
the environmental impact
Surveillance (DSE) / ICEF
sawmill, including living
Ministry responsible
assessment (EIA) submitted by the Methodology:
quarters)
for forests
company
DSE:
3.1.1.2: Environmental
2 - On-site verification
compliance certificate issued
3 - Letter approving the EIA, if
1 - If any suspicion, verifies some
by the competent authority
satisfactory verification
points of the documentary examination
and on-site verification
2 - Produces and sends a report with
copy to ICEF
ICEF:
19.7.2012
Verifies the existence of the letter
approving the EIA

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19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: five-yearly Frequency:
five-yearly
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

DGE files approval letter and EIA DSE: Files control report
in the SGBD and in paper format
in the archives
ICEF: Informs the database of the
verification check
Flows: Letter of approval sent to
Flows: From ICEF to the FLEGT
company with copy to CDF and
licensing authority
ICEF
3.2.1 The
measures
aimed
at 3.2.1.1: Monitoring reports Ministry of the
Department for Environmental
Methodology:
Body responsible:
icial
protecting the biodi
from the environmental
Environment and
Surveillance (DSE)
1 - On-site evaluation of imple
ICEF
Jour
versity resources, given in administration
Ecology
the approved impact
mentation of measures contained
nal
assessments, are imple
in EIA
of
mented.
the
European
2 - Evaluation report and letter of Methodology:
compliance, if evaluation satis
factory
Union
3 - Inform SGBD of verification
Verify the existence of the report and
results
letter
Frequency: ongoing (depending on Frequency: ongoing (depending on the
the nature of the EIA measures)
nature of the EIA measures)
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
File evaluation report and letter in Inform database of the results of the
the DSE archives
verification control
Flows: Flows:
L
191/171
Letter of approval sent to company From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
with copy to ICEF and CDF
authority

---

L 191/172
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
3.3.1 Waste
(as
defined
in
Art. 3.3.1.1: Monitoring reports Ministry of the
Department for Environmental
Methodology:
Body responsible
3 of the CAR’s
from the environmental
Environment and
Monitoring
Environment Code and
administration
Ecology (DGE)
1 - On-site evaluation of the
DGE
implementing regu
existence of a waste treatment
system
Methodology
EN
lations) resulting from the
Verify the existence of the report and

company’s activities is
2 - Evaluation report and letter of
treated in line with the
compliance, if evaluation satis
letter
legal requirements.
factory
3 - Inform SGBD of results of
verification
Frequency: six-monthly Frequency:
six-monthly
Off
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
icial
Jour
File report and letter in the DSE
Inform database of results of the
nal
archives
verification check
of
the
Flows: Flows:
European
Letter of approval sent to company From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
with copy to ICEF and CDF
authority
Union
3.3.2 Legal
provisions
with 3.3.2.1: Audit report from
Ministry of the
Department for Environmental
Methodology: Body
responsible:
regard to air and water
the environmental adminis
Environment and
Monitoring (DSE)
pollution are being
tration.
Ecology
DGE
observed.
1 - On-site evaluation of the
Methodology:
existence of a system for dealing
with water and air pollution
2 - Evaluation report and letter of Verify the existence of the report and
compliance, if evaluation satis
letter
factory
19.7.2012
3 - Inform SGBD of verification
results

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19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

File report and letter in the DSE
Inform database of results of the
archives
verification check
Flows: Flows:
1 - Letter of approval sent to
From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
company with copy to ICEF and
authority
CDF
icial
4.1.1 Freedom
of
union
4.1.1.1: Briefing note on
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
relevant
Methodology: Body
responsible:
Jour
organisation is guar
guarantee of freedom of
administrative district
Department of Labour and
nal
anteed within the
unionisation stamped by the
company.
competent authority and
Employment (DTE)
of
displayed
the
European
Ministry responsible
BMIV 1
-
Regular
on-site
verification
at
The Central Inspectorate for Water and
for forests
least once per year or in case of
Forests
suspicion or complaint
Union
2 - Check the worker register Methodology:
3 - Meet with staff and employer DTE:
4.1.1.2: Minutes of union
4 - Stamp and/or annotate register Receives
the
annual
reports
from
each
meetings (if employees are
regional inspectorate
union members).
5 - Produce a report Examines
the
reports
and
sends
a
summary to the General Directorate for
Labour and Employment
L
Sends a summary for the forest-timber
191/173
sector companies to CDF c/o ICEF (to
be developed)

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L 191/174
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
NB: The mobile brigade (BMIV)
May conduct an unscheduled check of
may carry out the same verification the verification conducted by the
and send the results directly to
inspectorates and write a report, a copy
ICEF (this is valid for 4.1 and 4.2) of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF
EN

ICEF
Checks that the CDF informs the SGBD
every year
Frequency: annual Checks
company
compliance
Off
Frequency: annual
icial
Jour
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
nal
of
Mission report filed with the
CDF informs SGBD of the verification
the
district inspectorate
results
European
Annual report filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
check
Union
Flows: Flows:
Mission report sent to company DTE
to
CDF
Annual reports sent to Department ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
of Labour
4.1.2 Staff
delegates,
elected
in 4.1.2.1: Report of the
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
relevant
Methodology: Body
responsible:
accordance with current
general assembly at which
administrative district
legislation, have the
staff delegates were elected,
Department of Labour and
necessary skills to fulfil
stamped by the labour
Employment
their role
inspector
ICEF
19.7.2012
4.1.2.2: Training certificates
1 - Regular on-site verification at Methodology:
stamped by the labour
least once per year or in case of
inspector
suspicion or complaint
DTE:

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
2 - Meeting with staff delegates Receives
the
annual
reports
from
each
regional inspectorate
3 - Produce a report Examines
the
reports
and
EN
sends
a
summary to the General Directorate for

Labour and Employment
Sends a summary for forest-timber
companies to CDF c/o ICEF
May conduct an unscheduled check of
the verification conducted by the
inspectorates and write a report, a copy
of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF
icial
Jour
ICEF
nal
Checks that the CDF informs the SGBD
of
annually
the
European
Checks company compliance
Union
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Mission report filed with the
CDF inputs SGBD of verification results
district inspectorate
Annual report filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
check
Flows: Flows:
Mission report sent to company DTE
to
CDF
L
191/175
Annual reports sent to Department ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
of Labour

---

L 191/176
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
4.1.3 The
company’s
4.1.3.1: Briefing notes
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
relevant
Methodology: Body
responsible:
Department
of
employees are informed
displayed
administrative district
Labour and Employment (DTE)
of documents relating to
employment rights.
EN

1 - Regular on-site verification at ICEF
least once per year
4.1.3.2: Report of meetings
2 - Check that the elements
Methodology:
between staff delegates and
required by law are displayed
employees
DTE:
Off
3 - Produce a report Receives
the
annual
reports
from
each
regional inspectorate
icial
Jour
4.1.3.3: Internal regulations
Examines the reports and sends a
nal
displayed
summary to the General Directorate for
of
Labour and Employment
the
European
Sends a summary for forest-timber
companies to CDF c/o ICEF
Union
May conduct an unscheduled check of
the verification conducted by the
inspectorates and write a report, a copy
of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF
ICEF
Checks that the CDF informs the SGBD
every year
Checks company compliance
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
19.7.2012
Back-up of result Back-up
of
result

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Mission report filed with the
CDF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
results
Annual report filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
EN
district inspectorate
check

Flows: Flows:
Mission report sent to company DTE
to
CDF
Annual reports sent to Department ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
of Labour
icial
4.2.1 Relations
between
the 4.2.1.1: Copy of the
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
relevant
Methodology: Body
responsible:
Jour
company and its staff are collective agreement held by
administrative district
formally established
the logging company and by
Department of Labour and
nal
according to the legal
the staff delegates
Employment
of
requirements.
ICEF
the
European
1 - Regular on-site verification at Methodology:
least once per year
Union
2 - Check the employer register
DTE
and files for each employee
3 - Produce a report Receives
the
annual
reports
from
each
regional inspectorate
Examines the reports and sends a
summary to the General Directorate for
Labour and Employment
Sends a summary for forest-timber
companies to CDF c/o ICEF
4.2.1.2: Employer’s records
May conduct an unscheduled check of
L
numbered and signed off by
the verification conducted by the
191/177
the labour inspector
inspectorates and write a report, a copy
of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF

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L 191/178
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
ICEF
Checks that the CDF informs the SGBD
annually
EN

Checks company compliance
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Off
Mission report filed with the
CDF informs SGBD of verification
icial
district inspectorate
results
Jour
nal
Annual report filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
check
of
the
European
Flows: Flows:
Mission report sent to company DTE
to
CDF
Union
Annual reports sent to Department ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
of Labour
4.2.2 The
company’s
staff
are 4.2.2.1: - Pay slips and
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
relevant
Methodology: Body
responsible:
paid in accordance with
salary reports
administrative district
current regulations for
Department of Labour and
their sector of activities
Employment (DTE)
and without discrimi
nation
1 - Regular on-site verification at ICEF
least once per year
19.7.2012
4.2.2.2: - Employment
2 - Compare work contracts and Methodology:
contract signed by all parties
pay slips with the collective
agreement for forest operators
DTE:

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19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
3 - Produce a report Receives
the
annual
reports
from
each
regional inspectorate
Examines the reports and sends a
EN
summary to the General Directorate for

Labour and Employment
Sends a summary for forest-timber
companies to CDF c/o ICEF
May conduct an unscheduled check of
the verification conducted by the
inspectorates and write a report, a copy
of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF
icial
Jour
ICEF:
nal
Checks that the CDF informs the SGBD
of
annually
the
European
Checks company compliance
Union
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Mission report filed with the
CDF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
results
Annual report filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
check
Flows: Flows:
Mission report sent to company DTE
to
CDF
L
191/179
Annual reports sent to Department ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
of Labour

---

L 191/180
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
4.2.3 Health
and
safety
4.2.3.1: Reports of health
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
relevant
Methodology: Body
responsible:
conditions for workers
and safety committee
administrative district
are in accordance with
meetings
Department of Labour and Employ
current legislation
ment/ICEF
EN

Methodology:
DTE
1 - Regular on-site verification at Receives the annual reports from each
least once per year
regional inspectorate
Off
2 - Check equipment and health
Examines the reports and sends a
icial
and safety measures in place on
summary to the General Directorate for
sites and in the forest
Labour and Employment
Jour
nal
3 - Produce a report Sends
a
summary
for
the
of
forest-timber
companies to CDF c/o ICEF
the
European
4.2.3.2: List of staff health
May conduct an unscheduled check of
and safety equipment
the verification conducted by the
inspectorates and write a report, a copy
Union
of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF
ICEF
Checks that the CDF informs the SGBD
annually
Checks company compliance
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
19.7.2012
Mission report filed with the
CDF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
results

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Annual report filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
check
Flows: Flows:
EN

Mission report sent to company DTE
to
CDF
Monthly reports sent to the
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
Department of Labour
4.2.4 The
working
hours
4.2.4.1: Workers’ time
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
relevant
Methodology: Body
responsible:
applied by the company keeping system
administrative district
are in accordance with
Department of Labour and
Employment
icial
legal provisions
ICEF
Jour
nal
Methodology:
of
the
DTE
European
4.2.4.2: Workers’ time
1 - Regular on-site verification at Receives the annual reports from each
keeping cards
least once per year
regional inspectorate
Union
4.2.4.3.: Company service
2 - Check the content and display Examines the reports and sends a
notes displayed
of the company’s internal regu
summary to the General Directorate for
lations and related system
Labour and Employment
3 - Produce a report Sends
a
summary
for
forest-timber
companies to CDF c/o ICEF
4.2.4.4: Pay slips
May conduct an unscheduled check of
the verification conducted by the
inspectorates and write a report, a copy
of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF
ICEF: Checks that the CDF informs the
L
SGBD annually
191/181
Checks company compliance

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L 191/182
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

Mission report filed with the
CDF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
results
Annual report filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
check
Flows: Flows:
Off
icial
Mission report sent to company DTE
to
CDF
Jour
Annual reports sent to Department ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
nal
of Labour
of
the
4.2.5 Staff
recruitment
is
in 4.2.5.1: Employment
Ministry of Labour Labour
inspectorate
of
the
relevant
Methodology: Body
responsible:
European
line with the age
contracts signed by all
administrative district
restrictions established by Parties
Department of Labour and
national legislation and
Employment
the International Labour
ICEF
Union
Organisation (ILO)
Methodology:
1 - Regular on-site verification at DTE:
least once per year
2 - Verify staff files Receives
the
annual
reports
from
each
regional inspectorate
3 - Produce a report Examines
the
reports
and
sends
a
summary to the General Directorate for
Labour and Employment
19.7.2012
Sends a summary for the forest-timber
companies to CDF c/o ICEF

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
May conduct an unscheduled check of
the verification conducted by the
inspectorates and write a report, a copy
of which is sent to CDF c/o ICEF
EN

ICEF
Checks that the CDF informs the SGBD
annually
Checks company compliance
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
icial
Jour
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
nal
Mission report filed with the
CDF informs SGBD of verification
of
district inspectorate
results
the
European
Annual report filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
district inspectorate
check
Union
Flows: Flows:
Mission report sent to company DTE
to
CDF
Annual reports sent to Department ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
of Labour
4.3.1 Local
and
indigenous 4.3.1.1: Land-use plan
Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Regional
Methodology: Body
responsible:
communities’ customary approved by the relevant
for forests
Services
rights of access and use
authority (the socio-
General Directorate for Regional
in forest concessions are economic report in
Regional departments
Services
recognised and respected particular)
ICEF to DGSR
by the company
L
191/183
Methodology:
DGSR

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L 191/184
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
4.3.1.2: Provisional
1 - Regular verification at the
Receives the annual reports from each
agreement signed by the
company’s offices by the Regional regional department
relevant authority (PEA
Department for Forests for the
under provisional agree
administrative district
EN
ment)

Examines the reports and sends a
summary to CDF c/o ICEF
4.3.1.3: Report of findings
2 - Production of a quarterly
May conduct an unscheduled check of
of the forest administration,
verification report to be sent to the the verification conducted by the
countersigned by the parties
General Directorate for Regional
regional departments and write a
Services in Bangui
report, a copy of which is sent to CDF
Off
c/o ICEF
icial
ICEF
Jour
verifies that CDF is informing the
nal
SGBD annually
of
the
Checks company compliance
European
Frequency: at least once per year Frequency:
annual
Union
Back-up of result:
Back-up of result:
CDF informs SGBD of verification
results
Mission reports filed with the
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
relevant regional department
check
Flows: Flows:
Mission report sent to company DGSR
to
CDF
19.7.2012
Annual reports sent to General
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
Directorate for Regional Services

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
4.3.2 If
assets
belonging
to 4.3.2.1: Official reports of
Ministry responsible
Regional department Methodology: Body
responsible:
local or indigenous
findings (PVC) read and
for forests
communities are
approved by the parties
General Directorate for Regional
destroyed by the
Services (DGSR)
EN
company, compensation
ICEF

is provided in accordance
with current regulations
Methodology:
DGSR
4.3.2.2: Proof of compen
1 - Regular verification at the
Receives the annual reports from each
sation
company’s offices by the Regional regional department
Department for Forests for the
administrative district
Examines the reports and sends a
summary to CDF c/o ICEF
icial
Jour
2 - Production of a quarterly
May conduct an unscheduled check of
nal
verification report to be sent to the the verification conducted by the
of
General Directorate for Regional
regional departments and write a
the
Services in Bangui
report, a copy of which is sent to CDF
c/o ICEF
European
ICEF
Union
Checks that the CDF informs the SGBD
annually
Checks company compliance
Frequency: at least once per year Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Mission reports filed with the
CDF informs SGBD of verification
L
relevant regional department
results
191/185
ICEF informs SGBD of verification
check

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L 191/186
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Flows: Flows:
Mission report sent to company DGSR
to
CDF
EN
Annual reports sent to General
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority

Directorate for Regional Services
5.1.1 The
local
communities, 5.1.1.1: Minutes of sensiti
Ministry responsible
DGEF Methodology:
Body responsible
local authorities, NGOs,
sation meetings written by
for forests
decentralised State
the company and jointly
Send information report signed by ICEF
structures and other
approved by the stake
the stakeholders, including a
Methodology
development partners
holders.
company representative, to CDF
interested in forest
Inform database (digital copy)
Verify that SGBD updated
resource management in
Off
the area in question are
informed of the award of
icial
the PEA.
Jour
nal
Frequency: once only for a given
Frequency: once only for a given PEA
PEA award
award
of
the
Back-up of result:
Back-up of result:
European
Update database.
Inform SGBD of the results of the
inputting check for this document
File hard copy
Union
Flows:
Flows:
Send a copy to ICEF and CDF
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
5.2.1 The
company
respects 5.2.1.1: Administration’s
Ministry responsible
Regional Department for the area, Methodology
Body responsible:
the stipulations of the
monitoring report
for forests
DGEF, BMIV (brigade mobile d’inter
provisional agreement
vention et de verification)
1 - Regular verification by the
ICEF
during its period of
Regional Department for the
validity (three years)
administrative district, the BMIV
and the General Directorate for
Water and Forests
2 - Visit forest office and worksite Methodology:
3 - Verify operations compliance Check
CDF
has
informed
SGBD
and
SGBD informed of verification check
19.7.2012
4 - Produce a report Verification
check
of
the
different
bodies on the basis of a sample

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: quarterly Frequency:
six-monthly
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

DR: control report sent to DGSR Inform SGBD
with copy to ICEF
BMIV: control report sent to firm Control report (PV)
with copy to ICEF
DGEF: control report sent to DG
with copy to ICEF
icial
5.3.1 The
prior
studies
have 5.3.1.1: Inventory report(s) Ministry responsible
DGEF Methodology:
Body responsible:
been conducted
for forests
Jour
according to the rules set Land-use report(s)
DGEF verifies and validates on the ICEF
basis of an evaluation matrix to be
nal
out by the forest admin
istration.
developed
of
the
5.3.1.2: Report(s) of the
Minutes of the evaluation meeting Methodology:
European
socio-economic assess
ment(s)
Verification of existence of minutes
Union
Frequency: for each land-use period Frequency: for each land-use period or
or at each revision
at each revision
Back-up: in the SGBD Back-up:
inform
SGBD
Flows: Flows:
From the assessment committee to ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
DGEF
From DGEF to ICEF and CDF
5.3.2 The
land-use
plan
has 5.3.2.1: Final exploitation
Ministry responsible
Department for Inventory and
Methodology:
Body responsible:
L
been produced according and land-use agreement
for forests
Forest Planning (DIAF) and BMIV,
191/187
to the rules set out by the
DR
DGEF verifies and validates on the General Directorate for Ministry for
forest administration.
basis of an evaluation matrix to be Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries
developed

---

L 191/188
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Minutes of the evaluation meeting Methodology:
Verification of existence of minutes
EN
Frequency: for each land-use period Frequency: for each land-use period or

or at each revision
at each revision
Back-up of result: back-up in the
Back-up of result: SGBD informed
SGBD
Flows:
Flows:
From the assessment committee to ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
Off
DGEF
icial
Jour
From DGEF to ICEF and CDF
nal
of
5.3.3 The
management
plan 5.3.3.1: Letter officially
Minister for Forests DGEF Methodology: Body
responsible:
the
(PG) complies with the
approving the PG
ICEF
European
regulations.
1 - Documentary examination, by Methodology:
Union
a committee established to this
effect, of the management plan
Verification of the existence of the
submitted by the company in the approval letter for the PG and minutes
context of the MEFCP’s rating
of the meeting
system (cf. annexed document)
2 - Letter of PG approval, if
submission satisfactory
Frequency: five-yearly Frequency:
five-yearly
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
19.7.2012
DGEF files PG letter of approval in Inform the SGBD that the point has
the SGBD and in paper format in been verified
the archives

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Flows: Flows:
1 - DGEF sends approval letter to From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
the company, ICEF/CDF, PARPAF, authority
EN
DGSR and meeting minutes with

rating to the ICEF
5.3.4 The
annual
operating 5.3.4.1: Letter of submission Minister for Forests DGEF Methodology: Body
responsible:
plan, including maps,
of annual operating plan
complies with the regu
(PAO) to the office of the
ICEF
lations.
Minister for Forests.
5.3.4.2: Letter officially
1 - Documentary examination, by Methodology:
approving the PAO
a committee established to this
effect, of the PAO submitted by the Verification of the existence of the
icial
company in the context of the
approval letter for the PAO and
MEFCP’s rating system
minutes of the meeting
Jour
nal
2 - Letter of PAO approval, if
of
submission satisfactory
the
European
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Union
DGEF files PAO approval letter in Inform the SGBD that the point has
the SGBD and in the archives in
been verified
paper format
Flows: Flows:
1 - DGEF sends approval letter to From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
the company, IC EFCP/CDF,
authority
PARPAF, DGSR and meeting
minutes with rating to IC
5.3.5 A
plantation
or
reforested
5.3.5.1: Simple management Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water and Methodology:
area of 50 ha or more
plan for plantations of 50 ha for forests
Forests (DGEFCP)
has a simple management or more, in line with the
There are currently no exploitable
L
plan in line with current General Conditions
plantations of 50 ha or more and
191/189
regulations.
so the verification methodology
5.3.5.2: Letter approving the
will be developed during the
simple management plan
Agreement implementation phase.

---

L 191/190
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
5.4.1 The
boundaries
of
the 5.4.1.1: Inspection visit
Minister for Forests Regional
department,
DGEFCP, Methodology:
Body responsible:
annual cutting area or
reports from the forestry
BMIV
provisional areas
administration
1 - Verification by the applicable ICEF
anticipated on the maps
regional department, at the time of
are concretely mapped
the harvest inventory, of the
EN
out and respected, in
conformity of the actual

accordance with the
boundaries with the rules specified
regulations.
in volume 3 of the land-use regu
lations.
2 - Verification of conformity of
Methodology:
boundaries with the approved
maps for the PAO
Check CDF has informed SGBD and
that SGBD is informed of verification
check
Off
icial
3 - Verification by the regional
Check the different bodies’ verification
department, DGEF, BMIV, at the
on the basis of a sample
Jour
time of logging, of compliance
with the boundaries set during the
nal
harvest inventory.
of
the
4 - Production of verification
European
reports
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Union
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Verification reports written SGBD
informed
Paper filing by the CDF
Flows: Flows:
Copy of report sent to ICEF and
ICEF to CDF and ICEF to the FLEGT
CDF
licensing authority
5.5.1 The
service
road
network
5.5.1.1: Annual operating
Ministry responsible
DGEF Methodology: Body
responsible:
19.7.2012
is planned and created in plan approved by the forest for forests
accordance with current
administration
ICEF
regulations.

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19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
5.5.1.2: Plan for the
1 - Documentary verification of
Methodology:
network of service roads for
the road map and the adminis
the provisional area
trative authorisation for opening
Verification of the existence of the
up roads in the PAO submitted by approval letter for the PAO and
minutes of the meeting
EN
the company in the context of the
MEFCP’s rating system

5.5.1.3: Administrative
2 - Letter of PAO approval, if
authorisation to clear access
submission satisfactory
roads (if access roads needed
outside the AAC)
Frequency: Frequency:
icial
annual for each PAO annual
for
each
PAO
Jour
nal
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
of
the
5.5.1.4: Inspection reports
DGEF files the letter of approval
Inform the SGBD that state that the
European
from the forest adminis
and the PAO in the SGBD and in point has been verified
tration
hard copy.
Union
5.5.1.5: Authorisation to
Flows:
Flows:
open up tracks for an AAC
1 - DGEF sends an approval letter From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
to the company, to the IC
authority
EFCP/CDF, DGSR, along with the
meeting minutes and the rating to
the IC
5.6.1 The
minimum
managed 5.6.1.1: Worksite books
Ministry responsible
Regional department, DGEFCP,
Methodology:
Body responsible:
diameters (DMA) for final
for forests
BMIV
agreements or the
5.6.1.2: Inspection visit
Check worksite record book and
ICEF
minimum administrative reports
site visit
DSGR
maturity diameters (DME)
for provisional
Methodology:
agreements are respected
during felling operations.
L
191/191
Check CDF has informed SGBD and
SGBD informed of verification result

---

L 191/192
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Check the different bodies’ verification
on the basis of a sample
Frequency: quarterly for the
Frequency: six-monthly
EN
regional departments and six-

monthly for the BMIV
Back-up of result:
Back-up of result:
Regular monitoring reports
Inform SGBD
Control report (PV)
Flows: Flows:
Off
icial
DR: control report sent to DGSR ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
Jour
with copy to ICEF
nal
of
BMIV: control report sent to firm Send control report to CDF
the
with copy to ICEF
European
DGEF: control report sent to DG
with copy to ICEF
Union
5.6.2 The
species
logged
are 5.6.2.1: Land-use Plan
Ministry responsible
Regional department, DGEFCP,
Methodology:
Body responsible:
authorised in the land-use
for forests
BMIV
plan, the PAO or the
5.6.2.2: Worksite books
1 - Regular verification by the
ICEF
implementing regulations
Regional Department, BMIV and
of the Forestry Code.
DGEFCP
5.6.2.3: ‘Timber movement’
2 - Visit forest office and worksite Methodology:
form
5.6.2.4: Special authori
3 - Compare the list of species
Check CDF has informed SGBD and
sation for unauthorised
logged with those authorised in the SGBD is informed of verification result
species
land-use plan, the PAO and the list
of species protected by the imple
Check the different bodies’ verification
menting regulations of the Forestry on the basis of a sample
Code.
19.7.2012
4 - Produce a report

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: quarterly Frequency:
six-monthly
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

DR: control report sent to DGSR Inform SGBD
with copy to ICEF
BMIV: control report sent to firm Control report (PV)
with copy to ICEF
DGEF: Control report sent to DG
with copy to ICEF
ICEF: copy of each report and
icial
original sent to CDF to inform
SGBD and file
Jour
nal
Flows: Flows:
of
the
Receipt of verification reports from ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
European
the three previous bodies
Send to ICEF/CDF for SGBD
Send control report to CDF
Union
information
5.7.1 Timber
that
is
felled
and 5.7.1.1: Worksite books
Ministry responsible
Regional department for the
Methodology:
Body responsible:
abandoned in the forest
for forests
administrative district, DGEF, BMIV
is in line with current
5.7.1.2: Report on the
1 - Regular verification by the
ICEF
regulations.
findings of abandoned wood
Regional Department for the
by the forest administration
administrative district, the BMIV
and the General Directorate for
Water and Forests
2 - Visit forest office and worksite Methodology:
5.7.1.3: Control reports
3 - Verification in the worksite
Check CDF has updated SGBD and
from forestry administration
record book of the haulage of
SGBD informed of verification result
felled trees within regulatory
deadlines (six months)
L
191/193
4 - Visit to forest depots in case of Check the different bodies’ verification
doubt or suspicion
on the basis of a sample

---

L 191/194
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
5 - Produce a report
Frequency: quarterly Frequency:
six-monthly
EN

Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
DR: control report sent to DGSR Inform SGBD
with copy to ICEF
BMIV: control report sent to firm Control report (PV)
with copy to ICEF
Off
DGEF: control report sent to DG
icial
with copy to ICEF
Jour
nal
ICEF: Copy of each report and
original sent to CDF to inform
of
SGBD and file
the
European
Flows: Flows:
Receipt of verification reports from ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
Union
the three previous bodies
Send to ICEF/CDF for SGBD
Send control report to CDF
information
6.1.1 The
company
has
at
least
6.1.1.1: Processing facility
Ministry responsible
DGEFCP Methodology:
Body responsible:
one processing facility in licence
for forests
accordance with the
1 - Verify the existence of at least ICEF
regulatory provisions,
three ‘processing facility’ timber
Methodology:
three years after award of
movement forms at the end of the
the PEA.
fourth month (no more than three
years after award of PEA)
2 - Produce a report to send to the On-site investigation
ICEF and CDF
19.7.2012
Produce a control report with copy to
CDF for filing
Inform SGBD

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: just once for a given
Frequency: just once for a given PEA
PEA
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

1 - Produce a report to send to the Control report
ICEF with copy to CDF
2 - CDF informs SGBD Inform
SGBD
3 - File report
Flows: Flows:
icial
DGEF to ICEF and CDF
ICEF to CDF and to the FLEGT
Jour
licensing authority
nal
6.1.2 The
company
has
proof 6.1.2.1: ‘Timber movement’ Ministry responsible
Forestry Data Centre (CDF) Methodology:
Body responsible:
of
that it is respecting the
form or statistics yearbook
for forests
the
minimum annual
1 - Ongoing information of
General Directorate for Ministry for
volumes felled and volumes
Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries
European
processing quota (70 %)
set by the State.
processed from the CDF
Union
2 - Verification of this verifier can Methodology:
be undertaken annually, auto
matically by the SGBD by
comparing, to begin with and for
each company, the volume of
target species processed with the
volume of same species felled
3 - The list of species could
Verification each year, no later than 30
gradually change over time and
January for the previous year, of the
could be updated at a frequency of compliance of companies in the SGBD
around every five years (deadline to after consideration of the CDF’s report
be decided by the Ministry
responsible for forests)
4 - Verification each year of the
L
compliance of companies and
191/195
produce a report, by 30 January, to
be sent to the ICEF/CDF with filing
of hard copy

---

L 191/196
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

1 - Inform SGBD
Inform the SGBD that the point has
been verified
2 - CDF writes annual report
noting the situation of each
company’s PEAs
Flows: Flows:
Off
icial
1 - Send logging companies’
From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
Jour
operating data to CDF in electronic authority
format
nal
of
the
2 - Send annual reports to ICEF
European
6.2.1 Logs
and
timber
products
6.2.1.1: Commercial import Customs Office and
Ministry of Finances Methodology:
Body responsible:
imported for processing
declaration
BARC (Central African
are registered in line with
Road Haulage Office)
1 - Verification of timber-based
General Directorate for Customs and
Union
regulatory provisions
products at point of entry by
Indirect Taxes (DGDDI)
Central African Republic’s customs
and Ministry for Water and Forests General Directorate for Water, Forests,
Hunting and Fisheries
6.2.1.2: ‘Timber movement’ Department for Forest Minister for Forests 2
-
Allocation
of
a
code
and
Methodology:
form
Logging and Industry
inclusion in the SYDONIA
(DEIF), Mobile Inter
database for customs and the
Monthly verification of the volumes
vention and Verifi
SGBD for the Ministry for Water
imported and reconciliation of data,
cation Brigade (BMIV)
and Forests
bearing in mind the exporting
company’s own production
Produce a control report to be filed at
the CDF
Send explanatory request to company
19.7.2012
Frequency: on each import Frequency:
monthly

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Inform SGBD Inform
SGBD
EN

Flows:
Flows:
Border posts to CDF c/o ICEF
ICEF to company (request for expla
nation)
ICEF to CDF (control report)
From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
authority
icial
6.2.2 Purchases
of
logs
and 6.2.2.1: FLEGT licence from Ministry of Finances
General Directorate for Customs
Methodology:
Body responsible:
Jour
timber products for
country of origin accom
and Budgets
and Indirect Taxes (DGDDI)
processing, including
panies imported products
1 - Verification of timber-based
General Directorate for Customs and
nal
imported, are of a known
products at point of entry by
Indirect Taxes (DGDDI),
Central African Republic’s customs
of
and legal origin.
and Ministry for Water and Forests General Directorate for Water, Forests,
the
Hunting and Fisheries
European
6.2.2.2: Sustainable
2 - Allocation of a code and
Methodology:
management certificate or
inclusion in SYDONIA for customs
certificate of legal origin
and the SGBD for the Ministry for Monthly verification of the volumes
Union
Water and Forests
imported and reconciliation of data,
bearing in mind the exporting
company’s own production
Produce a control report to be filed at
the CDF
Send explanatory request to company
Frequency: on each import Frequency:
monthly
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
L
Inform SGBD Inform
SGBD
191/197
Flows: Flows:

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L 191/198
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Border posts to CDF c/o ICEF ICEF
to
company
(request
for
expla
nation)
ICEF to CDF (control report)
EN

From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
authority
7.1.1 The
declaration
on
7.1.1.1: ‘Timber movement’ Ministry responsible
Forestry Data Centre (CDF) Methodology:
Body responsible:
timber production is held form
for forests
in line with the regu
1 - Receive monthly timber
General Directorate for Water, Forests,
latory provisions of the
movement forms sent by each
Hunting and Fisheries
Forestry Code.
company
Off
icial
2 - Verify form and content Methodology:
Jour
nal
3 - Inform SGBD and automatic
1 - Verify monthly data inputting and
reconciliation with SGBD data sent of the conformity of its data with that
of
by the company at a frequency to of the SGBD
the
be established.
European
4 - Exchange views in order to
2 - Inform SGBD of verification check
clear up any inconsistencies
results in this regard
Union
Frequency: monthly Frequency:
monthly
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Filing of timber movement forms Inform SGBD
by the CDF
Inform SGBD
Flows: Flows:
Company to CDF ICEF
to
the
monitoring
body
19.7.2012
CDF Company

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
7.1.2 The
declaration
on
7.1.2.1: ‘Timber movement’ Ministry responsible
DGEFCP Methodology:
Body responsible
timber processing is in
form
for forests
line with the ‘timber
Verification of production data in ICEF
movement’ forms.
relation to the ‘timber movement’
forms declared
Methodology
EN

Documentary investigation of DGEF
reports
Frequency: once a year for a given Production of a control report with
processing facility
copy to CDF for filing
Back-up of result: Inform
SGBD
icial
1 - Produce a report to send to
Frequency: once a year for a given
ICEF with copy to CDF
processing unit
Jour
nal
2 - CDF informs SGBD Result
backup
of
the
3 - Filing of report Control
report
European
Flows: Inform
SGBD
Union
DGEF to ICEF and CDF Flows
ICEF to CDF and to the FLEGT
licensing authority
7.1.3 Declarations
on
timber 7.1.3.1: ‘Timber movement’ Ministry of Finances
Regional Customs Department Methodology:
Body responsible: General Directorate
sales and export of
form
and Budgets
for Customs and Indirect Taxes
products are produced in
7.1.3.2.: 1 - Movement through
(DGDDI)/ Department for Investi
line with the regulatory
7.1.3.2: Customs declaration
customs with customs documents gations, Prosecutions and Fraud/A
provisions.
(customs declaration); arranged
posteriori Control Department)
7.1.3.3: Commercial export Ministry of Trade General
Directorate
for
Customs 2
-
Study
of
form,
to
judge
Methodology:
declaration (DEC)
admissibility
L
191/199
General Directorate for Trade 3
-
If
admissible,
input
into A posteriori documentary check of the
database
form of the documents and their
content

---

L 191/200
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Department for Customs Legis
4 - Documentary verification of
lation/Exemptions and Franchises
content and form (basic, in-depth,
Department
integral - including vehicle)
EN
5 - Issuing of release warrant for

export or transit
7.1.3.3: 1 - Comparison of the
DEC’s proforma invoice with the
final invoice for the E 101 declar
ation
2 - Verification with the General
Off
Directorate for Trade in case of
doubt
icial
Jour
Frequency: at each declaration Frequency:
in
case
of
suspicion
nal
of
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
the
European
Local customs database (electronic Customs: Production of official report
and paper format) / SYDONIA
(on site, findings on non-compliance,
(central level) / Manual filing
input)
Union
Entry in disputes ledger
Inform SGBD Inform
SGBD
Continual flows: Flows:
1 - From company to customs
1 - From customs to the Ministry
responsible for forests (CDF c/o ICEF)
2 - From customs to company
according to a procedure to be
developed
3 - From customs to the Ministry 2 - From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
responsible for forests according to authority
a procedure to be developed
19.7.2012
Figures sent to the Statistics
Department

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
7.1.4 Tax/customs
declarations 7.1.4.1: Receipt for licence Ministry of Finances Revenue
Stamps
Department Methodology:
Body responsible:
are made in line with the payment
regulatory provisions.
7.1.4.1:
DGEFCP & DGID (General Directorate
for Taxes and Domains)
EN

Methodology:
7.1.4.2: Receipt for IMF
1 - Observance of customs
Observance of customs clearance
(minimum set tax) payment
clearance procedures and entry on procedures and entry on the NIF
the NIF register
register
2 - On-site visit
7.1.4.3: Receipt for IS/IR
3 - Declaration (verbal or in
(corporation/income tax)
writing) of turnover by the
icial
payment
company accounts department to
the Financial Department of the
Jour
company in Bangui
nal
of
7.1.4.4: Receipt for value
4 - Check turnover in the
the
added tax (VAT) payment
Financial Department of the
European
company in Bangui
5 - Allocation of a quota, prorata
or not, of turnover
Union
Frequency: Frequency:
7.1.4.1: for each financial year Idem
7.1.4.2: annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
1 - Entry in tax identification
1 - Entry in tax identification system
system (SYSTEMIF)
(SYSTEMIF)
2 - Manual filing of documents at 2 - Manual filing at tax department
L
customs
191/201
3 - Entry into SGBD 3
-
Entry
into
SGBD

---

L 191/202
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Continual flows: Flows:
1 - From company to taxes:
1 - From taxes to CDF c/o ICEF
EN
declaration

2 - From taxes to CDF c/o ICEF 2
-
From
ICEF
to
the
FLEGT
licensing
authority
7.2.1 All
forest
taxes
and
fees 7.2.1.1: Receipt for payment Ministry of Finances DGEFCP
Methodology:
Body responsible:
are paid within the
of rental tax
stipulated deadlines.
DGID (General Directorate for
1 - Documentary verification
Central Inspectorate for Water, Forests,
Taxes and Domains)
(felling, rental and reforestation
Hunting and Fishing
Off
taxes) by the Ministry of Forests
icial
and physical verification (refores
tation tax) by the structure
Jour
delegated by the administration
(BIVAC) for export production
nal
of
the
7.2.1.2: Receipt for payment Ministry responsible
2 - Production of revenue orders Central Inspectorate for Finances
European
of felling tax
for forests
by the administration for each
beneficiary (State, communes, CAS-
DF) and for a given tax (rental,
felling, reforestation), after
Union
company declaration, with the
exception of rental.
7.2.1.3: Receipt for payment
Declaration deadlines:
Methodology:
of reforestation tax
Felling and reforestation tax:
Central Inspectorate for Finances
Currently: monthly production and 1 - A posteriori documentary control of
dispatch (within 21 days for the
the form of the documents and their
previous month) of timber
content
movement forms
7.2.1.4: Notification stipu
In the context of the national
ICEF
lating exceptional measures
tracking system (NTS): constant
relating to payment of
exchange of operating data
1 - Regular verification of declarations
company taxes and fees
between companies and the forest (six-monthly) and production of a
19.7.2012
administration, according to a
report according to a procedure to be
procedure to be defined, hence a
developed
shortening of this deadline.

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Rental: payment during January
2 - Verification of monthly data
each year on the basis of the area inputting and of the conformity of its
in use; the amount per hectare of data with that of the SGBD
the tax is set each year by the
Finance Law
EN

3 - Inform SGBD of verification
control results in this regard
3 - Payment by the company
within the given deadlines either to
the Public Treasury (State) or to the
Bank of Central African States
(BEAC) (communes) or to the CAS
DF (compte d’affectation special pour
le développement forestier)
icial
Jour
Frequency: Frequency:
nal
of
Rental: yearly Central
Inspectorate the
for
Finances
European
Reforesting and felling: quarterly Ongoing,
in
case
of
suspicion
ICEF
Union
Rental: yearly
Reforesting and felling: quarterly
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
1 - Order to collect revenue filed Registration in the tax identification
with DGEFCP
system (SYSTEMIF)
2 - Registration in the tax identi
Inform SGBD
fication system (SYSTEMIF)
Manual filing
L
3 - Entry in the SGBD
191/203
Flows: Flows:

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L 191/204
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
1 - Company to DGEFCP: timber From IC Finances to CDF c/o ICEF
movement forms in electronic or
paper format
EN
2 - DGEFCP to DGID, communes, ICEF to the monitoring body

CAS-DF: order to collect in paper
format
3 - From Treasury, the BEAC and
the CAS-DF to CDF c/o ICEF
according to a procedure to be
developed
Off
7.2.2 All
fees
and
taxes
linked 7.2.2.1: Receipt for DS (exit Ministry of Finances Regional
Customs
Department Methodology: Body
responsible:
icial
to timber exports are
fee) payment
paid on time.
Secure export revenues structure
General Directorate for Customs and
Jour
Indirect Taxes (DGDDI)
nal
of
7.2.2.2: Receipt for IMF
Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Taxes and Verification by the main cash office Central Inspectorate for Water, Forests,
(minimum set tax) payment for forests
Domains (DGID)
of the transit centre in Bangui or Hunting and Fishing (ICEF)
the
by the regional customs
European
departments in the provinces:
1 - Physical check on-site by
Union
customs (mandated structure:
BIVAC) after each receipt of the
company’s specifications
7.2.2.3: Receipt for REIF
2 - Establish specifications
(Ministry of Finance tax on
(mandated structure: BIVAC), issue
provision of computer tools)
other necessary documents:
payment
certificate of verification, DEC, etc.
3 - Customs declaration Methodology:
4 - Examination and ‘good for
DGDDI: Systematic a posteriori verifi
dispatch’ stamp
cation of the declaration
19.7.2012
5 - Exchange of information with ICEF: Check CDF has informed SGBD
ICEF/CDF according to a procedure
to be defined

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
6 - CDF informs SGBD
Frequency: on each export Frequency:
ongoing
EN

Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Inputting into SYDONIA Inputting
into
SYDONIA
Filing of declaration documents in Production of activity reports and
paper format
official reports
Flows: Flows:
icial
From main cash office and regional DGDDI to ICEF/CDF according to a
Jour
departments to ICEF/CDF
procedure to be established
nal
of
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
the
European
7.2.3 All
fees
and
taxes
linked 7.2.3.1: Receipt for customs Ministry of Finances Main
cash
office
of
the
transit Methodology:
Body responsible:
to imports of equipment duties (import) payments
centre and regional department
used by the company
1 - Customs declaration
DGDDI
(other products) are paid
DGID
Union
2 - Consideration of file
Central Inspectorate for Water, Forests,
before the ‘good for
Hunting and Fishing
dispatch’.
7.2.3.2: Receipt for value
Ministry responsible
DGEFCP 3
-
Where
appropriate,
physical
Methodology:
added tax (VAT) payment
for forests
verification depending on channel
7.2.3.3: Receipt for TCI
4 - ‘Good for dispatch’ stamp
Systematic a posteriori verification of
(community integration tax)
(BAE)
the declaration
payment
7.2.3.4: Receipt or CCI
5 - Exchange of information with
(community integration
ICEF/CDF according to a procedure
contribution) payment
to be defined
L
191/205
7.2.3.5: Receipt for REIF
6 - CDF informs SGBD
(tax on provision of financial
computer tools) payment

---

L 191/206
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: at each declaration Frequency:
ongoing
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

Inputting into SYDONIA Inputting
into
SYDONIA
Filing in paper format of
Production of activity reports and
declaration documents
official reports
7.2.3.6: Receipt for OHADA
payment (OHADA fee)
Off
7.2.3.7 Receipt for CMF
Flows:
Flows:
icial
payment (Central Africa
From main cash office and regional DGDDI to ICEF/CDF according to a
Jour
Forests Commission fee)
departments to ICEF/CDF
procedure to be established
nal
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
of
the
7.2.4 The
company
has
repat
7.2.4.1: Certificate of bank Ministry of Finances Unit
responsible
for
monitoring Methodology:
Body responsible:
European
riated the ‘free on truck’ debit order
repatriation of export revenues
(FOT) values of products
(CCCRRE)
1 - Send export documents (FOT ICEF
declared for export
values) and proof of repatriation to
outside of CEMAC to a
the CCCRRE (unit responsible for
Union
local bank within 30 days
monitoring repatriation of export
of the deadline stipulated
revenues)
in the contract.
7.2.4.2: Funds transfer
Ministry responsible
ICEF/CDF 2
-
Gather
information
on
Methodology:
document
for forests
customs and taxes declarations
3 - Verify capital repatriated to the Check CDF has informed SGBD
banks and reconcile with customs
and tax information (the repat
riation must be undertaken within
a maximum of 30 days following
payment deadline)
4 - Produce an annual situation
19.7.2012
report for each company and send
to CDF c/o ICEF via a procedure to
be established

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN

1 - Control reports relating to
SGBD informed of control results
each mission filed with the joint
tax-customs unit
2 - Annual report with copy to
CDF c/o ICEF
3 - CDF to inform SGBD
icial
Flows: Flows:
Jour
Company sends tax declaration
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
nal
(DSF) to tax/customs unit.
of
the
Tax/customs unit sends annual
European
report to CDF c/o ICEF
8.1.1 The
lorries
and
other 8.1.1.1: Vehicle registration Ministry of Defence
Traffic Police/Border Police/
Methodology:
Body responsible:
vehicles for transporting documents
Customs
Union
timber products are
Ministry of the
Presentation of documents during Traffic Police/Border Police/Customs
correctly registered and
8.1.1.2: Technical data sheet Interior
road formalities
Verification of control is undertaken by
licensed.
the same bodies at different
geographical points (different check
points)
8.1.1.3.: Insurance
Ministry of Finances
Methodology: Idem
and Budgets
8.1.1.4: Transport licence
8.1.1.5: If forest produce is
Frequency: at each checkpoint for a Frequency: at each checkpoint for a
being transported for export:
given load (lorry)
given load (lorry)
haulage authorisation
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
L
191/207
Official report in paper form if an Official report in paper form if an
infringement is noted
infringement is noted

---

L 191/208
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Reports according to a procedure Reports according to a procedure to be
to be established
established
Flows: Flows:
EN

Procedure for exchanging
Procedure for exchanging information
information to be developed after to be developed after consultation
consultation between the
between the departments in question
departments in question
8.1.2 Transport
documents
for 8.1.2.1.: Waybill or route
Ministry of Transport Traffic
Police/Border
Police/
Methodology: Body
responsible:
timber and derived
map
Customs/BARC/Water and Forests
products for export are in
Traffic Police/Border Police/
Off
line with current regu
Customs/BARC (Central African Road
Haulage Office) / Water and Forests
icial
lations.
Jour
8.1.2.2: Dispatch note,
Ministry responsible
Presentation of documents during Methodology:
nal
accompanied by: specifi
for forests
forest and customs formalities
Presentation of documents during
of
cations, D15, commercial
prior to departure and during road
Ministry of Trade
forest and customs formalities prior to
the
export declaration, invoice,
and border formalities
certificate of origin
departure and during road and border
European
formalities
Ministry of Finances Frequency:
at
departure
and
at
each
Frequency: at departure and at each
Union
checkpoint for a given load (lorry) checkpoint for a given load (lorry)
Back-up of result:
Result backup:
Official report in paper form if an Official report in paper form if an
infringement is noted
infringement is noted
Flows: Flows:
Verification by Water and Forests Verification by Water and Forests
Department staff: send monthly
Department staff: send monthly report
report to ICEF
to ICEF
Other department staff: procedure Other department staff: procedure for
for exchanging information to be exchanging information to be
19.7.2012
developed after consultation
developed after consultation between
between the departments in
the departments in question
question

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
8.1.3 The
company
is
imple
8.1.3.1.: Company’s internal Ministry responsible
Regional department for the
Methodology:
Body responsible:
menting measures to
regulations
for forests
administrative district, DGEF, BMIV
apply the ban on the
1 - Verify a ban on transporting
ICEF
transportation of persons.
people in the internal regulations
EN

8.1.3.2: Service note 2
-
Verify
a
service
note
specifying
Methodology:
this ban displayed and noted on
lorries used for transporting wood Verification control has been
conducted
3 - Produce a report Inform
SGBD
4 - Send copy of report to CDF to
inform SGBD and file
icial
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Jour
nal
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
of
the
Verification report filed and SGBD Inform SGBD
European
informed
Flows: Reports to ICEF/CDF Flows:
ICEF
to
the
FLEGT
licensing
authority
Union
8.2.1 The
logs
and
stumps
of 8.2.1.1: Inspection visit
Ministry responsible
Regional department (DR),
Methodology:
Body responsible:
felled trees are hammered report from the forestry
for forests
DGEFCP, BMIV
and marked in line with administration
1 - Regular verification by the
ICEF
regulatory requirements.
Regional Department, BMIV and
DGEFCP
2 - Visit to worksite office and log Methodology:
yards
3 - Verify marking of logs and
Check CDF has informed SGBD and
stumps
SGBD informed of verification result
4 - Produce a report Check
different
bodies’
L
verification
on
the basis of a sample
191/209
Frequency: quarterly Frequency:
quarterly

---

L 191/210
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Back-up of result:
Back-up of result:
DR: control report sent to DGSR
with copy to ICEF
BMIV: control report sent to firm
EN
with copy to ICEF

DGEF: control report sent to DG
with certified copy to ICEF/CDF
8.2.2 In
forest
depots,
logs
are 8.2.2.1.: Inspection visit
Ministry responsible
Regional department for the
Methodology: Body
responsible:
hammered and marked
report from the forestry
for forests
administrative district
according to current
administration
regulations.
Off
DGEFCP Verification
of
compliance
with
icial
national tracking system (NTS)
Jour
BMIV 1
-
Regular
verification
by
the
nal
Regional Department, BMIV and
of
DGEFCP
the
European
2. Office visit to log yards Methodology:
3 - Verify marking of logs Inform
SGBD
Union
4 - Produce a report Control
report
(PV)
ICEF/CDF: documentary examin
ation, inform SGBD and filing
Flows: Flows:
Receipt of verification reports from ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
the three previous bodies
Send official report to ICEF/CDF
Send to ICEF/CDF for SGBD
information
19.7.2012
8.2.3 Log
transport
documents 8.2.3.1: Waybill (also
Ministry responsible
Regional department Methodology: Body
responsible:
are filled in prior to
known as a delivery note or for forests
leaving the worksite.
removal note)
Central Inspectorate for Water, Forests,
Hunting and Fishing

---

19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
NB: in 2010 this control was not Methodology
systematic, indeed virtually absent.
The DGEF must develop a
procedure to this end
EN

Frequency:
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Flows: Flows:
8.2.4 Log
and
log
bundle
8.2.4.1: Waybill (also
Ministry of Forests/
Methodology:
Body responsible:
documents are filled in
known as a delivery note or Ministry of Finances
prior to leaving the log
removal note)
1 - Physical on-site check by
General Directorate for Customs and
depot or factory.
customs (BIVAC) after each receipt Indirect Taxes (DGDDI)
of company specifications
icial
ICEF
Jour
2 - Specifications established by
Methodology:
nal
the mandated structure (BIVAC),
other necessary documents issued: DGDDI: verification control by
of
certificate of verification, DEC, etc. customs after customs declaration
the
European
ICEF
Frequency: at each declaration Frequency:
at
each
declaration
Union
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
1 - Specifications in the database 1 - Inputting into SYDONIA
by the mandated structure (BIVAC) 2 - Manual filing
2 - Manual filing 3
-
Inform
SGBD
3 - Inform SGBD
Flows: Flows:
1 - Company to mandated
1 - DGDDI to CDF c/o ICEF according
structure (BIVAC)
to a procedure to be developed
L
191/211
2 - Mandated structure (BIVAC) to 2 - ICEF to the FLEGT licensing auth
CDF c/o ICEF according to a
ority
procedure to be developed

---

L 191/212
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
9.1.1 The
amounts
allocated
to
9.1.1.1: Receipt proving
Ministry responsible
Central Inspectorate/Adminis
Methodology: Body
responsible:
community budgets are
payment of revenue orders
for forests
tration and Finances (MEFCP)
regularly paid by the
ICEF
company.
EN

DGEF to send a copy of revenue
Methodology:
orders to CDF
9.1.1.2: Administrative
Systematic dispatch of a copy of
Verify that CDF has input the
authorisation for staggered
payment receipts to CDF c/o ICEF information
payment of taxes
for filing and SGBD information
Verify compliance of receipts with
corresponding revenue orders
Input control results
Off
icial
Frequency: monthly Frequency:
monthly
Jour
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
nal
of
Filing of revenue orders and copies Inform SGBD
the
of receipts by CDF once SGBD
European
informed
Flows: Flows:
Union
DGEF to CDF
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
Company to ICEF/CDF
9.1.2 The
social
actions
9.1.2.1: PAO approved by
Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water and Methodology:
Body responsible:
planned by the company the forest administration
for forests
Forests
and appearing in the
(each PAO comprises a
1 - Documentary examination, by Central Inspectorate for Water, Forests,
PAO and PG or in the
description of the social
a committee established to this
Hunting and Fishing (ICEF)
provisional agreements
activities undertaken the
effect, of the management plan and
have been implemented.
previous year)
PAO submitted by the company in
the context of the MEFCP’s rating
system
2 - Assess company’s social report
9.1.2.2: Provisional
3 - Letter of approval, if
Methodology:
19.7.2012
agreement signed by the
submission satisfactory
company and the Ministry
Verify the existence of an approval
responsible for forests
letter for the PG and PAO and minutes
of the meeting:

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19.7.2012 Off
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
EN
DGEF files PAO approval letter in Inform the SGBD that the point has

the SGBD and in the archives in
been verified
paper format
Flows: Flows:
1 - Approval letter sent by DGEF From ICEF to the FLEGT licensing
to the company, ICEF/CDF, DGSR authority
and meeting minutes with rating to
ICEF
icial
9.2.1 The
commitments
made 9.2.1.1: Worksite inspection Ministry responsible
General Directorate for Water and Methodology:
Body responsible:
by the company in the
reports from the adminis
for forests
Forests (DGEFCP)
Jour
PG, the terms and
tration
Verification of this point was not Central Inspectorate for Water, Forests,
Regional department
conducted in 2010; it is important Hunting and Fishing (ICEF)
nal
conditions, the PAO or
the provisional agreement
that it is included in a verification
of
to contribute to
procedures manual to be developed
the
preventing poaching and
by the DGEF
European
illegal forest logging in its
area of intervention are
respected.
Union
9.2.1.2: Company reports
Methodology:
on information, education
and awareness raising
campaigns
9.2.1.3: PAO approved by
Frequency: Frequency:
the forest administration
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
9.2.1.4: Internal regulations Flows: Flows:
10.1.1 The
company
(and,
in
the 10.1.1.1: Accreditation of
Ministry of Trade Formalities
section
(‘One
Stop Methodology:
Body responsible:
case of private plan
valid profession
Shop’)
tations, the individual or
1 - Each company sends a list of ICEF
its sub-contractors to the CDF.
L
community) ensures that
191/213
all its sub-contractors and
2 - Their authorisation is checked
suppliers are authorised
with the Ministry of Trade (‘One
to exercise their activity.
Stop Shop’)

---

L 191/214
IND Indicators
(1) Verifiers
(2) Departments
(3) Verification
structures
(4) Verification
methodology
(5)
Bodies responsible for checking verification
and methodology (6)
10.1.1.2: Sub-contracts
Ministry responsible
Forestry Data Centre (CDF) Inform
SGBD Methodology:
registered
for forests
Verify data input
Inform SGBD of control results in this
regard
EN

Frequency: ongoing, according to
Frequency: after each updating by the
changes in each supplier’s list
CDF
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Inform SGBD Inform
SGBD
Flows: Flows:
Company to CDF
Off
CDF to Min. of Trade (‘One Stop ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
Shop’)
icial
Min. of Trade to CDF
Jour
nal
10.2.1 The
company
(and,
in
the 10.2.1.1: Invoices Ministry
responsible
Department for Legal Affairs and
Methodology:
Body responsible:
case of private plan
for forests
Litigation of the Ministry
of
tations, the individual or
responsible for forests (DAJC).
1 - Court clerks to verify no
ICEF
the
community) is duly
disputes underway in relation to
payment for services
European
paying for the services
anticipated in the
contract.
10.2.1.2: Transfer document
2 - Produce a report and entry on Methodology:
Union
or cheque or receipt proving
the infringements register, as
payment of the
appropriate
Check the infringements register is
corresponding invoices
properly maintained
3 - Report sent to ICEF/CDF
Check information in SGBD
Frequency: annual Frequency:
annual
Back-up of result: Back-up
of
result:
Annual Report Inform
SGBD
of
the
results
of
this
point of control
Registration in the infringements
register held by the Ministry
responsible for forests
Inform SGBD
Flows: Flows:
19.7.2012
Court clerks to DAJC
ICEF to the FLEGT licensing authority
DAJC to ICEF/CDF

---

EN
19.7.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
191/215
2.3. Recognition
of
forest
certification
mechanisms
There are currently no companies with private forest certification in the CAR.
The LAS will need to take into account coordination between private certification systems and the LAS and
promote synergies, particularly in order to avoid unnecessary checks. In this context, recognition of private
certificates of legality and sustainable management will be provided by the Ministry responsible for forests,
subject to a check of the audit results of private certification by ICEF. The private certification audit results will
need to be sent to ICEF. A regulatory text will be implemented by the Ministry responsible for forests in order to
clarify the information flows relating to certification.
2.4. Cases
of
non-compliance
with
legal
requirements
In the context of the LAS, non-compliance will be handled in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions
in force in the CAR.
In the context of issuing FLEGT licences, a procedures manual for handling non-compliances and sanctions, aimed
at strengthening the control system, will be developed during the Agreement implementation period, prior to the
issuing of the first FLEGT licence by the CAR.
3. WOOD
TRACKING
SYSTEM
AND
CONTROL
OF
THE
SUPPLY
CHAIN
3.1. Operational
demands
of
traceability
There is currently no national tracking system. Nonetheless, there are systems that have been developed internally
by each logging company. Export transport documents are stipulated by law; however, at national level and on the
worksites, there is no regulatory text in force in 2010. Consequently, during the implementation period and prior
to issuing of the first licence, a regulatory text will need to specify the provisions relating to the national tracking
system and the transport of timber and derived products.
The traceability chain will be managed by a national tracking system (NTS) to be established, the data of which will
be centrally held in the database management system (SGBD), managed by the Forestry Data Centre (which reports
institutionally to ICEF), and fed by the logging companies and the secure customs revenues structure (currently
BIVAC). A national numbering system will be adopted in order to classify each product.
A number of bodies will participate in the tracking system. These bodies are:
— the companies responsible for all activities, from harvest inventory to exporting the rough and processed
timber;
— the Ministry for Water and Forests, which provides verification and verification checks for logging and
processing along the whole supply chain through its centralised departments (DGEF, DGSR, ICEF and the
CDF and BMIV);
— the secure customs revenues structure (currently BIVAC), which checks specifications, identifies species and
establishes volumes. It also issues the commercial import declaration for timber imported for processing;
— the Ministry of Trade, which is responsible for countersigning the commercial import declaration (DIC) for
timber imported for processing and the commercial export declaration (DEC);
— the Ministry of Finances, through its centralised and decentralised customs departments, which check customs
clearance, issue receipts for fees and taxes received and register timber in transit;
— border inspectors from the Ministry for Water and Forests who check transport documents.
3.1.1. Case of timber and derived products coming from PEAs and plantations
The following table gives the principles and requirements of the traceability chain for timber and derived products
coming from PEAs. The specific requirements for forest plantations are also specified.
The following table gives the requirements of the traceability chain:
1st column: describes the stages in the supply chain,
2nd column: describes the responsibilities and activities of each actor,

---

L 191/216
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
19.7.2012
3rd column: describes the necessary data and its collection methods,
4th column: specifies the verification structures and methodology used by each structure to validate or reconcile
the data.
These principles and requirements may be adjusted during implementation of the Agreement, without these
adjustments damaging the quality of the traceability chain.

---

19.7.2012 Off
INVENTORY
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
HARVEST INVENTORY Body
responsible:
COMPANY Declaration document:
Methodology:
EN
Activities:
Annual Operating Plan (PAO)
Coordination of the six bodies below is

provided by ICEF:
— Marking out of cutting area
Data:
1. Department for Forestry Inventory and
— Opening up of forest paths
— Permit Number
Land-use (DIAF):
— Measuring of trees
— Number of Forest Management
Conformity of inventoried data in
Unit (UFG), exploitation and land-
relation to previous PAO.
— Positioning and mapping of trees
use permit (PEA) or plantation
Verification of AAC maps.
— Numbering and marking of trees
— Number of annual cutting area
(AAC)
2. Regional department:
NB: For plantations:
icial
— Inventory number
Verification of road networks and
(a) a simple management plan must
cartography of the resource.
Jour
be produced for plantations of — Species name
more than 50 ha;
Sends reports to DGSR.
nal
— DMA (minimum diameter defined
(b) a prospecting report and simplified
of
in the land-use plan)
3. General Directorate for Regional Services
map (location on a topographical
(DGSR):
the
map) must be submitted to the — UTM
(Universal
Transverse
European
DIAF for plantations of less than
Mercator) positioning.
Verification of regional departments’
50 ha;
activities.
Flows:
(c) the following information must,
Harvesting information sent to DGEF.
Inform SGBD (electronic format to be
Union
however, be provided for plan
tations of more than 50 ha: (i) included in volume 3 of the land-use 4. Department for Forest Logging and
age of tree population, (ii) average regulations)
Industry (DEIF):
height of tree population, (iii) GPS
location, (iv) area, (v) simplified
Verification of road networks and
map with plot shown on the
cartography of the resource
ground, (vi) number of standing
Sends data to CDF.
trees, (vii) class of circumference
or diameter;
5. General Directorate for Water and
Forests (DGEF):
(d) the systematic marking of standing
timber is not compulsory;
Verification and validation of reports
from DGSR, DIAF and DEIIF
(e) the DIAF issues a logging permit.
Sends data to CDF
Sends reports to ICEF.
L
6. Forestry Data Centre (CDF):
191/217
Compilation of data at MEFCP level.

---

L 191/218
LOGGING OPERATIONS
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
FELLING Body
responsible:
COMPANY
Declaration document:
Methodology:
CDF:
EN
Activities:
Worksite record (paper and/or elec Regional Department for Water and Forests: In charge of supervising reconciliation in

tronic)
SGBD between (i) information available from
— Selection and cutting of trees.
Verification:
harvest inventories and (ii) information
Timber movement form
available on felling (logging).
— Hammering of felling number on
Worksite record
stump and roots.
Data:
The information to be reconciled at this stage
Evacuation slips
must, as a minimum, include:
— Copying of inventory numbers — Permit number
onto stumps.
— UFG (PEA or plantation) number
On-site verification of:
1. For each tree felled:
— Stump marking.
Off
— AAC number
— positions of felled trees, boundaries of
(a) the inventory number declared on the
AAC
land-use plan in relation to this same
icial
— Data registration and storage.
— Inventory number
number declared on the worksite
— DMA
record;
Jour
NB: For plantations of more than
50 ha:
— Felling number
nal
Verification reports sent to DGSR.
(b) the position of the declared tree on the
— Species
land-use plan in relation to this same
of
Cutting is undertaken by area.
Joint Control Brigade (BMC):
felled tree declared on the worksite
the
All logs are marked.
— Size and volume of the tree felled
record;
European
Verification checks
Use of a worksite record.
— As an attachment, the updated
(c) the species of tree declared on the land-
map of the logging area
— Worksite record
use plan in relation to the species of
felled tree.
Union
— DMA
— Evacuation slips
2. By management unit: (i) AACs of PEAs and
— UTM positioning
— Respect for boundaries of AACs
(ii) forest plantations:
Flows:
— Respect for DMA
(a) the number of harvestable trees per
Company submits worksite records
species declared on the harvest
and timber movement declarations to — Marking of UFG, plantation and AAC
inventory in relation to the number of
DGEFCP
boundaries
trees per species felled;
Company sends logging data to CDF List of infringements
(b) the volume per species declared on the
to input into SGBD.
harvest inventory in relation to the
Reports sent to litigation department
volume per species felled;
Control reports sent to ICEF.
(c) the inventory numbers of the trees
felled and declared on the worksite
NB: For verification in plantations:
records in relation to all the numbers
of harvestable trees declared on the
DGEF reconciles volumes felled with
harvest inventory.
19.7.2012
volumes declared on the inventory by the
logger for a particular plot. No individual
traceability up to stump.

---

19.7.2012 Off
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
HAULAGE AND
Body responsible: COMPANY
Declaration document:
Methodology:
CDF:
PREPARATION AT FOREST
DEPOT
Activities:
— Daily haulage list
DEIF and Regional Department for Water Responsible for supervising reconciliation in
and Forests:
SGBD between (i) information available from
EN
— Initial sorting
— Haulage sheets
production data and (ii) information gathered

Verification:
upstream in the sector.
— First calculation of cubic volume of — Forest depot record (Worksite
logs
record)
— Worksite record
The information to be reconciled at this stage
must, as a minimum, include:
— Marking and numbering of logs
— Inter-forest transport note
— Evacuation slips
1. For each tree felled:
— Sectioning of logs for transport
Data:
— DMA.
(a) the numbers of the sections (secondary
— Copying of inventory numbers — Permit number
Transmission of verification reports to
logs) in relation to the number of the
onto sheets.
DGEFCP.
primary sawn log declared on the
— UFG (PEA or plantation) number
worksite record;
icial
— AAC number
(b) the species of the sections in relation to
the species of the primary sawn log
Jour
— Species
declared on the worksite record;
nal
— Number of standing trees
(c) the cumulative length of the sections in
of
relation to the total length of the
the
— Felling number
primary sawn log;
European
— Number of log sections
(d) the diameter of each section in relation
— Description of forest marking
to the diameter of the primary log;
hatchet
Union
(e) the logging data appearing on the
— Dimensions and volume of logs
worksite record in relation to the
AAC’s validity dates.
Flows:
Company submits worksite records
and timber movement declarations to
DGEFCP
Company sends logging data to CDF
to input into database.
PREPARATION AND
Body responsible: COMPANY
Declaration document:
Methodology:
CDF:
EXPORT OF LOGS
Activities:
— Depot register
DEIF and Regional Department for Water Responsible for supervising reconciliation in
and Forests:
SGBD between (i) information available from
— Sorting of sectioned logs
— Entry list
timber movement forms and (ii) information
Verification:
L
gathered upstream in the sector.
— Storage by species by contract or — Preparation record
191/219
without contract
— DMA

---

L 191/220
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
— Sawing
— Specifications
— List of authorised species
The information to be reconciled at this stage
must, as a minimum, include:
— Calculation of volume of sections Data
List of infringements, if necessary
(diameter, length, volume)
EN
— PEA or plantation number
Verification reports sent to DGEFC
1. For each log:

— Marking and numbering of
sections.
— Felling number
Joint Control Brigade (BMC):
(a) the log number declared in the
Body responsible: Service commis — Sizes of logs
Label check
worksite record in relation to the log
sioned by the administration.
number declared in the entry list for
— Species
List of infringements, if necessary
the log depot;
Activities:
— Number of log sections
Control reports sent to ICEF
Placing of labels/bar codes.
— Contract number
DGEFCP
(b) the species of log declared in the
worksite record in relation to the
— Client name
Verification of production data.
species of log declared in the entry
Off
list for the log depot;
icial
— Label
Jour
Flows:
(c) the dimensions of the log declared in
the worksite record in relation to the
nal
Company sends timber movement
dimensions of the log declared in the
of
forms to CDF
entry list for the log depot.
the
DGEFCP issues revenue orders and
European
sends reports to CDF
2. For each lorry load:
BMC’s report sent to ICEF
(a) the numbers of logs declared on the
Union
inter-forest transport note in relation
to the numbers of logs declared in
the worksite records;
(b) the species of logs declared on the
inter-forest transport note in relation
to the species of logs declared in the
worksite records;
(c) the dimensions of the logs declared on
the inter-forest transport note in
relation to the dimensions of the logs
declared in the worksite records;
(d) the dates of the inter-forest transport
notes in relation to the dates on the
19.7.2012
worksite entry list.

---

19.7.2012 Off
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
3. For each monthly movement form:
(a) the volumes by species declared on the
form, in relation to the volumes
EN
declared in the worksite records for

the same period.
4. For each DGEFCP order to collect revenue:
(a) the amounts due per species calculated
by the SGBD in relation to the
corresponding amounts given on the
DGEFCP’s revenue orders.
PREPARING FOR LOG (LOG Body responsible: COMPANY
Declaration document:
Methodology:
CDF:
icial
SECTION) PROCESSING
Jour
Activities:
Regional Department for Water and Forests Responsible for supervising reconciliation in
SGBD between (i) information available from
nal
— Sectioning.
Stock form for the ‘sawmill/factory’ Verification of stock lists
processing data and (ii) information gathered
upstream in the sector.
of
depot
the
— Measuring, calculating volume of
sections.
Data:
The information to be reconciled at this stage
European
must, as a minimum, include:
— Marking and numbering of — Species
sections.
1. For each log:
Union
— Numbers of log sections
— Inputting section species.
(a) the characteristics (number, species,
— Dimensions and volumes of log
dimensions) appearing on the log
sections
depot stock list in relation to the
same characteristics on the depot
entry list;
Flows:
(b) the species of the sections in relation to
Preparation report sent to CDF.
the species of the primary sawn log
declared on the stock list;
(c) the cumulative length of the sections in
relation to the total length of the
primary sawn log.
2. By month:
L
(a) Volumes per species entering the depot
191/221
in relation to volumes per species
entering production.

---

L 191/222
PROCESSING
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
LOG SECTION PROCESSING Body responsible: COMPANY
Declaration document:
Methodology:
CDF:
EN
FOR EXPORT

Activities:
— Production report:
Department for Forest Logging and Industry Responsible for supervising reconciliation in
(DEIF) / Regional Department for Water and SGBD between (i) information available from
On entering the processing plant
— Factory entry form (processing Forests: verification
timber movement forms and (ii) previous
plant)
stages upstream in the sector.
Inputting of sawn log/section numbers.
— Cut timber depot stock list
— Log consumption sheet for sawing
The information to be reconciled at this stage
Inputting of volumes of sawn logs/
or other processing
— Specifications for export
must, as a minimum, include:
sections entering the factory by
number and species.
— Cut depot stock list.
— Labels
1. For each processed log section:
Off
On exiting the processing plant
Data:
— Processing rate
(a) the characteristics (number, species,
icial
dimensions) of processed sections
(factory entry list) in relation to the
Jour
Measurement and calculation of — Numbers of log sections
BMC: Verification check
volumes of bundles of sawn timber
same information on the depot stock
nal
(or other processed product).
list;
— Species
— Cut timber depot stock list
of
the
Numbering of bundles by contract.
2. For each kind of processed product, by
— Volume of sawn logs = volume of — Specifications
species, monthly:
European
log sections
Calculation of sawn timber yield.
— Labelling by the service commissioned
(a) the volumes of log sections entering
— Sawn timber yield
by the administration:
production in relation to the volumes
Body responsible: Service commis
of processed products (material yield);
Union
sioned by the administration.
— Bundle numbers
Processing rate
(b) the volumes of processed products by
Activities:
— Number of bundles
List of infringements, if necessary
species declared on the sawn timber
movement forms in relation to the
Marking of processed products (label — Dimensions of items and volumes ICEF:
stock lists.
ling).
of bundles
Check SGBD
— Company name
— Place of storage of stocks of
processed products
Flows:
Company sends sawn timber
movement forms to DGEFCP
19.7.2012
BMC, DR and DEIF reports sent to
ICEF.

---

19.7.2012 Off
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
PROCESSING FOR THE
Body responsible: COMPANY
Declaration document:
Methodology:
CDF:
LOCAL MARKET
Activities:
Local market production report
Department for Forest Logging and Industry Responsible for supervising reconciliation in
(DEIF) / Regional Department for Water and SGBD between information available from
EN
Forests:
the local sales declarations and stages

On entering the production line:
Transport note for timber destined for
the local market.
upstream in the sector.
Inputting of log section numbers
Verification of sales slips.
Data:
The information to be reconciled at this stage
Inputting of log section volumes by
BMC:
must, as a minimum, include:
species.
— Numbers of log sections, species
and volume on entering the Checks verification of sales slips.
1. For each type of processed product
On exiting the production line:
production line
intended for local consumption, monthly:
Checks sales invoices.
Calculation of volume and
— Numbers of bundles, volumes on
(a) the volumes of log sections entering
measurements of sawn timber bundles
exiting the production line.
ICEF:
local production in relation to the
icial
volumes of products processed for the
Flows:
local market (material yields);
Jour
Numbering of bundles
Checks SGBD.
nal
(b) the volumes declared in the local
Storage place on site:
Sent by the company:
market production reports in relation
of
to the transport notes for timber
the
Indicate depot in Bangui or another — Local market production report to
destined for the local market.
DGEF
European
town.
Calculation of sawn timber yield.
— Data registration and gathering
forms.
Union
EXPORT
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
EXPORT OF LOGS, SAWN Body responsible: COMPANY
Declaration document:
Methodology:
The Central Inspectorate for Water and Forests
TIMBER AND OTHER
- CDF:
PRODUCTS
Activities:
— Specifications
Department for Forest Logging and Industry
(DEIF): verification
Responsible for supervising reconciliation in
— Preparation of product specifi — Sales invoice
SGBD between information available from
cations.
— Timber movement forms already
— DEC
timber movement forms, exports and the
submitted
— Commercial export declaration
information gathered in previous stages of
(DEC).
— EUR 1
— Dispatch note for export timber
the chain.
— Draw up consignment note — BAE (‘Good for dispatch’ stamp)
L
(bearing label number from the
191/223
— Waybill
service commissioned by the
administration)

---

L 191/224
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
— Draw up certificate of origin and — Prior favourable recommendation
— Consistency between export notes and The information to be reconciled at this stage
phytosanitary certificate
worksite records
must, as a minimum, include:
— FLEGT licence
— Request FLEGT licence.
Regional Department for Water and Forests
EN
1. For each log:
Data:
and Border Inspectors:

Body responsible:
— Species
(a) the characteristics (number, species,
— Verification at borders
Service commissioned by the adminis
dimensions) appearing on the specifi
tration
— Number of log sections or bundles — Verification of certificate of origin and
cation in relation to the same char
phytosanitary certificate
acteristics on (i) the depot entry list,
Activities:
— Volume per species for logs
(ii) the worksite records for the
— Physical and documentary checks
corresponding period and (iii) the
Place labels/bar codes
— Volume of product for sawing and
inter-forest transport notes.
other
— Registration
— Numbers of labels
2. For each load:
Joint brigade:
Off
(a) the information on the load available
icial
— Name of export company
— Checks customs documents:
at the Ministry of Finances in relation
Jour
— Client name
— Reconciliation of harvesting and export
to the information also available on
data with worksite record.
this same load at the Ministry of
nal
— Client contract number
Forests.
— Worksite record and timber movement
of
— Place of loading
declarations.
FLEGT licensing authority
the
— Destination
European
— Check values of volumes declared.
Responsible for supervising the reconciliation
— Amounts taxed
between the information declared (i) in the
ICEF:
FLEGT licensing request, (ii) the provisional
Flows:
— Reconciliation of data from other licence and (iii) the physical checks
Union
conducted at the border, (iv) the physical
Company sends timber movement
departments
checks conducted in Douala.
forms to DGEF
— Checks SGBD
DGEFCP issues revenue orders and — Confirms conformity to FLEGT licensing
sends reports to CDF.
authority.
DEC
ICEF:
Processing of FLEGT licence request — Checks specifications
and responses
— Payment of taxes related to export of
timber.
Service commissioned by the adminis
tration:
— Checks specification
19.7.2012
— Inspection: identification of species,
measuring, determination of volume
according to ATIBT standards

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19.7.2012 Off
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
— Placing of two plastic labels (blue and
red) with specific company code for
each log section.
EN
Load check by the on-site service commis

sioned by the administration:
— Issues load check forms
— Hand back file to driver with the DEC,
two check forms from the service
commissioned by the administration,
the specification, customs documents.
Border check by the service commissioned
by the administration (physical and docu
icial
mentary check):
Jour
— Verification of the private operator’s
check form and specification
nal
of
— Checks DEC export documents, customs
the
documents
European
— Removes the strip from one of the
labels on the log or bundle
Union
— Sends back the check form and strips to
the secure revenues structure (BIVAC) at
Berberati for reconciliation
— Records label information in a register
— Check by private operator at Douala
port:
— Removes strip from the 2nd label
— Sends back the Douala arrival report to
the secure revenues structure (BIVAC) at
Berberati
— Certificate of export verification (AVE).
FLEGT licensing authority
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191/225
— Issues FLEGT licences

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IMPORT AND TRANSIT
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
IMPORT OF WOOD FOR Body responsible: COMPANY
Declaration document:
Methodology:
ICEF/ CDF:
EN
PROCESSING

Activities:
— Commercial import declaration Min. of Trade:
Responsible for supervising reconciliation in
(DIC)
SGBD between information available from
— Timber import request
— Issues DICs
timber movement forms and the information
— Legality compliance authorisation
gathered by customs.
— Order
from country of origin
Service commissioned by the adminis
tration:
The information to be reconciled at this stage
must, as a minimum, include:
— Invoice
— MEFCP’s authorisation to import
timber for processing.
— Inspects products to be imported, in 1. For each load:
— Nature of product
country of origin
Off
Data:
icial
(a) the information provided to customs at
— Customs clearance
— Checks values declared
— Company name
the border in relation to the
Jour
information contained in the depot
— Issues import verification certificates
entry register.
nal
— Number of log sections
of
Customs:
the
— Species
European
— Checks customs clearance
— Volumes
— Issues receipts for fees and taxes
— Labels/Barcodes
received
Union
— Log identifying number
— Sends data to Ministry for Water and
Forests.
Flows:
FLEGT licensing authority:
— Company sends DIC to Ministry of
Trade
— Checks legality of product imported.
— Min. of Trade sends copy of DIC to MEFCP:
customs and MEFCP
— Issues authorisation to import timber
— MEFCP issues authorisation to
for processing.
company
— Sends to CDF
19.7.2012
— Company sends production report
to DGEFCP.

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19.7.2012 Off
Verification
Supply stage or chain Responsibility
and
activities Necessary
data
and
its
collection
method
Validation Reconciliation
MOVEMENT OF TIMBER
Body responsible: CUSTOMS
Declaration document:
Methodology:
CUSTOMS:
AROUND THE CENTRAL
AFRICAN REPUBLIC
Activities:
— D15
Customs:
CDF:
EN

— Customs registration on entry Data:
Registration.
Responsible for supervising reconciliation in
(D15)
SGBD between information available on
— Number
Border inspection:
products entering and leaving the CAR’s
— Inputs into SYDONIA database
territory. The information to be reconciled at
this stage must, as a minimum, include:
— Species
Registration.
— Records exit.
1. For each load:
— Number of logs or bundles
information collected on entering the
— Gross and total weight
country (lorry registration number, origin
of timber, species, volume, log registration
icial
— Commercial name
numbers, date, time, place) in relation to
the same information collected on leaving
Jour
— Price
the country.
nal
of
— Volume
the
European
Flows:
Report sent to CDF on products in
transit.
Union
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Official Journal of the European Union
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3.1.2. Physical tracking system and method for checking volume consistency
A unique alphanumerical national identification system for all forestry companies, from the moment of harvest
inventory, will be established during the Agreement implementation phase and prior to issuing of the first FLEGT
licence by the CAR.
The national tracking system (NTS) enables the following to be reconciled:
— the units (standing trees, logs, log sections, bundles of processed products) at the different stages in the control
chain,
— the volumes produced by unit at the different stages in the chain (PEA, UFG, AAC, etc.).
For processed products, a system for reconciling data on entering and exiting the production line at the processing
facilities will be put in place during the Agreement implementation phase and prior to issuing of the first FLEGT
licence by the CAR. This system will also take into account volumes entering and exiting the factory (including the
factory log depot). The table given in 3.1.1 shows the points where reconciliation of volumes will take place.
3.1.3. Method of product identification
The current identification method is that of two-colour labels (blue and red). A bar code method will be developed
in the context of Agreement implementation, prior to the issuing of the first FLEGT licence by the CAR.
3.1.4. Monitoring and approval of tasks delegated to operators
The inspection of all wood for export is delegated to a private operator, currently BIVAC Export. The activities of
this operator are audited by the administration. In the context of Agreement implementation, it is envisaged that
the contractual relationship with a private export timber inspection operator will be updated.
In the context of the LAS, the company responsible for inspecting timber for export will send the results of its
checks to the ICEF, which will inform the licensing authority. Methods for passing on the information will be
defined during the Agreement implementation phase and prior to issuing of the first FLEGT licence by the CAR.
3.1.5. Cases of non-compliance in the supply chain
The different non-compliances will be handled in accordance with the legal and regulatory provisions in force in
the CAR.
In the case of a non-compliance that gives rise to tax adjustments, these will be undertaken by the finance
administration on the basis of the inspection report from the company in charge of export timber inspection
or the border inspectors and decentralised departments of the forestry administration.
In the context of issuing FLEGT licences, a procedures manual on managing non-compliances and sanctions for
strengthening the control system will be developed during the Agreement implementation period, prior to the
issuing of the first FLEGT licence by the CAR.
3.2. Checking
supply
chain
requirements
(a) Inspections
The different levels of responsibility, the frequency and methods used for supply chain control are defined in
the national tracking system noted in the table, in point 3.1.1.
Data exchange between the operators and the database management system (housed at and managed by the
Forestry Data Centre) must be carried out in line with a frequency to be established.
Verification of supply chain requirements shall be conducted for every FLEGT licensing request, taking into
account the reports and records of the departments involved.
(b) Management and analysis of data verification
Management and analysis of supply chain data shall be done with the aid of a centralised database
management system (SGBD) within the Forestry Data Centre (CDF). This management involves:
— developing information management software adapted to the traceability requirements;
— an Internet connection giving network access to all actors involved, under guaranteed secure conditions.
Data management will be defined during the Agreement implementation phase and prior to issuing of the first
FLEGT licence by the CAR.

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4. ISSUING
FLEGT
LICENCES
The FLEGT licensing authority is a body appointed by the Minister for Forests and attached to his office. It is
therefore a separate structure that operates independently but reports back to the Minister for Water and Forests.
Issuing of a FLEGT licence to an operator wishing to export their products is subject to a written application sent
in hard copy to the licensing authority. This application must provide all the information and references referred to
in Appendix I of Annex IV. The licence will be issued in a model format to be produced and circulated by the
forest administration during the Agreement implementation phase and prior to issuing of the first FLEGT licence
by the CAR.
Once the licensing authority receives an application, it asks the Central Inspectorate for Water and Forests and the
Forestry Data Centre for verification of the legality of the company and of the products for export via the database
management system. Data is fed into the system by all of the departments involved and responsible for assuring
and controlling all aspects related to the legality of companies and their operations. These departments will be
supported in their work by civil society organisations, who will provide independent monitoring of the system. Its
proper functioning will be regularly evaluated by an external auditor whose functions are described in Section 5 of
this Annex.
On the basis of information provided by the CDF, the Central Inspectorate will respond favourably to the licensing
authority if the company and the declared products comply with the LAS requirements.
There are then two possibilities: the licence may be issued in Bangui or in Douala. In fact, some consignments,
notably cargoes of logs, are not known until the point of embarkation, that is, Douala. In this case, the operator
does not know what the cargo is on departure from the CAR. The products leave the CAR on several lorries that
will form a single shipment in Douala. The Central African Republic has designed a specific mechanism for this
case. When making the application, the operator has to indicate whether the licence should be issued in Bangui or
Douala.
When the licence is issued in Douala
In this case, an official document setting out the prior favourable opinion is given to the company by the licensing
authority. This document is produced for each lorry transporting all or part of the cargo so that each of the lorries
in question can be checked at the border. It is issued in the CAR (Bangui or other places to be established, e.g.
Berberati) by the licensing authority. A copy of the favourable opinion is sent to the licensing authority in Douala,
which is a local office of the licensing authority.
Once the opinion has been issued, the licensing authority retains all documents justifying the decision whether or
not to issue the FLEGT licence. These documents are filed for a period of at least five years.
With the official document confirming the favourable opinion issued by the licensing authority, the operator can
send the products in question to the port of Douala for export. The products are inspected once more at Douala
by the FLEGT licensing authority, which checks for consistency between the favourable opinion received from the
licensing authority and the products arriving in Douala. This department sends the results of its verification
electronically to the licensing authority, which sends back its final opinion by the same means. On receipt of
this opinion, and having reconciled the volume prior to embarkation, the licensing authority issues a signed
authorisation. The following diagram describes the procedure for requesting and issuing FLEGT licences.
When the licence is issued in Bangui
If the products leave via a port other than Douala, legality assurance is carried out (c.f. Stages 1 to 7 of the
diagram below) and the licence is issued in Bangui (instead of Stage 8 in the diagram below). Inspection bodies
working under the Central Inspectorate for Water and Forests will be based at the country’s exit points in order to
check the compliance of the cargo with the FLEGT licence and to report back on its compliance to the licensing
authority.
In the case of a refusal due to non-compliance with the LAS requirements, an unfavourable opinion will be sent to
the company within a reasonable timeframe.
Information on numbers of licences, by type and destination of the products, will be published regularly. This
information will be made public, in accordance with Annex X. Annex IV describes the procedures for issuing
FLEGT licences and their technical specifications in more detail.

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Figure 1
Diagram showing the procedure for issuing FLEGT licences and data flows between the control and verification departments
EN

Off
icial
Jour
nal
of
the
European
Union
19.7.2012

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Diagram showing the procedure for issuing FLEGT licences at Douala
Arrow No Description Place
a, b and e Exchanges
of
information
and
data
between
ICEF
Bangui and provinces
(CDF/SGBD) and the departments involved in legality
assurance and traceability and forestry companies.
c and d Exchanges
of
information
between
ICEF
and
CDF:
ICEF
Bangui
sends the data available to it; CDF feeds and manages the
SGBD and sends the contents to ICEF for each FLEGT
licence application.
1
Based on the specification, the company sends an appli Bangui
cation for a commercial export declaration (DEC) to the
body in charge of tax assessment (BIVAC).
2
DEC issued to forestry company, DEC validated by Ministry Bangui
of Trade.
3 Customs
declaration
by
the
company. Bangui
4 Customs
clearance
receipt
issued
(exit
fee
+
min.
fixed
tax
+
Bangui
fee for finance computer tools) by customs.
5 FLEGT
licence
application
made
by
logging
company
using
Bangui
the form.
6 The
FLEGT
licensing
authority
asks
ICEF
for
verification
of
Bangui
cargo compliance.
7 ICEF
recommendation
to
FLEGT
licensing
authority. Bangui
8 Notification
of
favourable
opinion
to
company. Bangui
or
other
(Berberati,
at
the
border)
9 Favourable
opinion
sent
to
the
Douala
department
of
the
Bangui to Douala
licensing authority.
10 Licensing
department
in
Douala
sends
the
results
of
the
Douala to Bangui
physical and documentary verification to the licensing auth
ority.
11
Order to issue FLEGT licence given to licensing department Bangui to Douala
in Douala.
12 FLEGT
licence
issued
by
the
licensing
department
(Douala
Douala
branch).
13 Licensing
department
sends
copies
of
licence
to
the
licensing
Douala to Bangui
authority.
14 Licensing
authority
sends
copy
of
licence
to
ICEF
for
filing. Bangui
5. INDEPENDENT
AUDIT
OF
LAS
The aim of the Independent System Audit (ISA) is to assure all stakeholders of the reliability and credibility of the
FLEGT licences issued in the CAR.
The functions of the independent audit are to:
(1) regularly assess the implementation of all aspects of the LAS, in particular:
— adherence to the principles and criteria of the legality matrix;

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— the effectiveness of supply chain verification;
— the effectiveness of verifications and verification checks;
— the reliability of the system for issuing FLEGT licences;
— the complaints management mechanism (registration of stakeholders’ grievances concerning: (i) LAS imple
mentation and (ii) independent audit activities);
— the synergy between all elements of the LAS;
— the synergy between all actors concerned and involved in the process (communication flows, filing,
procedures, etc.);
(2) assess the adequacy of the data management systems supporting the LAS;
(3) identify weaknesses and failings in the system (proposing corrective action is the responsibility of the Joint
Committee);
(4) verify, where appropriate, the implementation of any corrective action decided by the Joint Committee
following identification of weaknesses and failings, and assess their effectiveness;
(5) verify the use of FLEGT licences when timber products coming from the CAR are released for free circulation
within the European Union;
(6) draft and submit a report to the Joint Committee following each audit.
Annex VI describes the independent auditor’s terms of reference.

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ANNEX VI
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE INDEPENDENT SYSTEM AUDIT (ISA)
I. BACKGROUND
AND
JUSTIFICATION
The aim of the Independent Legality Assurance System Audit (LAS) is to provide an assurance to all stakeholders
with regard to the reliability and credibility of the FLEGT licences issued in the CAR.
II. MISSIONS
The ISA has the following general tasks:
(1) to regularly assess the good implementation of all aspects of the LAS, in particular:
— respect for the principles and criteria of the legality matrix;
— the effectiveness of supply chain verification;
— the effectiveness of verifications and verification checks;
— the reliability of the system for issuing FLEGT licences;
— the complaints management mechanism (registration of stakeholders’ grievances concerning (i) LAS imple
mentation and (ii) independent audit activities);
— the synergy between all elements of the LAS;
— the synergy between all actors concerned and involved in the process (communication flows, filing,
procedures, etc.);
(2) to assess the adequacy of the data management systems supporting the LAS;
(3) to identify weaknesses and failings in the system (proposing corrective actions is the responsibility of the Joint
Committee);
(4) to verify, where appropriate, the implementation of the corrective actions decided by the Joint Committee
following identified weaknesses and failings, and assess their effectiveness;
(5) to verify the use of FLEGT licences when timber products coming from the CAE are released for free circulation
within the Union;
(6) to draft and submit a report to the Joint Committee following each audit.
III. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ISA shall be a body independent of the CAR’s administration, the Central African Republic’s private sector, local
non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the Union.
It may be a research department, a consortium of research departments, a practice or organisation internationally
renowned for its experience and credibility in audit missions.
The structure must comprise a multidisciplinary team of experts specialising in audit and with a good knowledge of
the way in which forest operations are undertaken, logging companies, and the procedures for exporting timber from
countries of the Central African sub-region. The structure must also have an efficient internal control system in place.
Commercial service providers under contract to the CAR government for the supply of other management and forest
resource control services or any activity that will, or is likely to, create a conflict of interests for the provider are not
admissible for audit activities.
The ISA recruitment criteria are the following:
— proven expertise in the forest sector in the Central African sub-region;
— good knowledge of forest, fiscal, environmental, social and commercial legislation in the countries of the Central
African sub-region. A knowledge of forest legislation in the CAR would be an asset;

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— at least 10 years’ experience in evaluating forest management and verifying the control chain in countries of the
Central African sub-region;
— the capacity to produce audit reports in accordance with international standards;
— independence and credibility.
IV. METHODOLOGY
The ISA shall cover the whole process leading up to the issuing of a FLEGT licence, according to a procedures
manual to be developed and submitted to the Joint Committee for approval within three months of its recruitment.
The ISA methodology must cover all the points given in Section II relating to missions.
The ISA must work according to a documented evidence-based procedure. For this, all documents required for
issuing a FLEGT licence must be verified on the basis of multiple cross-referenced sources, where possible on the
basis of samples and field-based verification activities in order to complete and cross-check the information coming
from the documentary checks. The ISA may undertake investigations into complaints or observations received by the
Joint Implementation Committee.
At the start of Agreement implementation, the frequency of ISA interventions will be three times a year in the first
year, twice a year in the second and third years, then once a year from the fourth year onwards. The ISA may
undertake additional audits at the request of the Joint Committee.
A detailed schedule approved by the Joint Committee, to include mission dates and dates for the submission of the
corresponding reports, shall be supplied to the ISA prior to the start of its mandate.
V. SOURCES OF
INFORMATION
The ISA will need free access to all information and sources it judges relevant. The Parties shall facilitate this access to
information.
The main sources of the ISA’s information with regard to actors involved in the FLEGT licensing scheme are as
follows:
— the licensing authority (Ministry for Water and Forests);
— the Central Inspectorate for Water and Forests, where the final checks are made prior to issuing the FLEGT
licence;
— the Forestry Data Centre, where the FLEGT licences and export data for each logging company are filed;
— the secure export revenues company (currently BIVAC);
— the administrative structures involved in verifying respect for the legality indicators:
— Ministry for Water and Forests;
— Ministry of Commerce;
— Ministry of Finances;
— Ministry of Public Service, Social Security and Labour;
— Ministry of Justice;
— Ministry of the Environment and Ecology;
— Ministry of Public Health;
— Ministry of Agriculture;
— Ministry of Transport;
— logging companies, beneficiaries of artisanal permits, community forests under logging and operators or owners
of forestry plantations;

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— all departments involved in the different checks: the General Directorate for Water and Forests, the Department
for Forest Logging and Industry, the Department for Forest Inventory and Land-use, the Regional Department for
Water and Forests, the Mobile Intervention and Verification Brigade, the Central African Republic’s customs
departments, the tax departments, the Department for the Living Environment and Environmental Planning
within the Ministry of the Environment, the Labour Inspectorate, the phytosanitary departments, the Central
African Road Haulage Office (BARC), the Ministry of Trade departments, the Ministry of Justice departments;
— the competent authorities of the Union;
— the Société d’exploitation des parcs à bois du Cameroun / SEPBC (Douala);
— members of civil society (NGOs);
— the people living near the PEAs and other logging permits;
— development or support project staff involved in forestry development;
— all other sources judged relevant.
Complaints from stakeholders in the scheme for issuing FLEGT licences can be sent to the Joint Committee. This
committee may make them available to the ISA. These complaints may thus also be a source of ISA information.
Access to information shall initially be obtained by means of control reports, infringement reports resulting from
controls, and verification reports on respect for legality indicators that shall be provided to the ISA.
The ISA shall travel to the field, at its convenience, to obtain all information it judges relevant.
The ISA must also consult the main databases such as those of the CDF, and Central African Republic’s customs
authority.
VI. REPORTS
ISA reports shall contain all relevant information that drew the attention of the auditors.
A framework for audit reports shall be provided by the ISA in the context of procedures documented and approved
by the Joint Committee.
After each audit, the ISA shall produce, within three weeks, a provisional report in French in eight copies: four copies
are to be sent to the Ministry responsible for forests, and four to the Union, in addition to the electronic copy sent to
both Parties.
The report must present an analysis of all the system’s elements, verifying that all requirements relating to the LAS
are observed by all system components.
Comments from both Parties with regard to the provisional report, including complaints relating to the way in which
the auditor is fulfilling its mission, shall be analysed by the Joint Committee and then sent to the ISA to produce the
final report. The final report shall contain a response from the ISA to the comments made by the Joint Committee.
The ISA shall systematically produce a summary report to be made public. This report shall summarise the final
report and cover the main results, weaknesses and failings identified, and the concerns of the stakeholders.
As appropriate, at the request of the Joint Committee, the ISA shall also produce a specific additional report when
serious infringements, or serious weaknesses in the LAS, are identified.
VII. RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES AND INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP
The ISA shall be recruited via a competitive procedure from amongst national and/or international candidates
following a call for tenders by the Ministry of Forests for a three-year period, renewable once only, and subject
to the formal approval of the Joint Committee.
The call for tenders shall be published in national and international publications and on Internet sites.
The service provision agreement signed between the ISA and the Minister for Forests shall include:

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For the government:
— non-interference in ISA activities;
— access to public and private information related to the LAS, in accordance with national legislation;
— access to the forest domain and timber transport, storage, processing and export facilities necessary for the LAS;
— payment of invoices corresponding to the ISA’s services to be made whatever the conclusions of the audit.
The CAR government shall administratively facilitate the ISA’s movements around the CAR’s territory and ensure its
safe conduct during trips within the national territory.
For the provider:
— a quality service provision in accordance with the terms of reference;
— guarantees relating to the protection and use of confidential information of a commercial nature.
The activities to be undertaken by the ISA shall also be specified in this contract, along with payment methods and
the respective responsibilities of the signatories to the contract.

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ANNEX VII
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR THE OPERATIONAL LEGALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM IN THE CAR
The Voluntary Partnership Agreement (APV-FLEGT) between the Union and the CAR provides for the development and
implementation of a Legality Assurance System (LAS) to ensure that all timber and derived products specified in the
Agreement and exported from the CAR to the Union have been legally produced. The LAS must comprise the following
elements: a definition of legally produced timber that states the laws and texts that must be complied with for a licence to
be issued; supply chain controls to track timber from the forest to the point of export; verification of compliance with all
elements of the legality definition and control of the supply chain; licensing procedures and issuing of FLEGT licences;
and finally, independent auditing to ensure that the system is working as planned.
Union expectations with regard to the LAS are given in a series of briefing notes prepared by a group of experts from the
European Commission ( 1 ).
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
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 interested Parties and the Joint Implementation Committee.
These assessment 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 aim to:
(i) review the system description with special focus on any revisions made after the FLEGT-VPA was signed; and
(ii) examine the functioning of the system in practice.
PART 1: LEGALITY DEFINITION
Legally produced timber needs to be defined on the basis of the existing laws and regulations of the CAR. The definition
used must be unambiguous, objectively verifiable and operationally workable.
In addition, it must, as a minimum, include the laws which cover the following thematic areas:
Harvesting rights: granting of legal rights to harvest the 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 over 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.
(a) Are references to the legislative or regulatory texts that underpin each element of the definition clearly identified?
(b) Are criteria and indicators that can be used to test compliance with each element or principle of the definition
specified?
(c) Are the criteria/indicators clear, objective and operationally workable?
(d) Do the indicators and criteria clearly identify the roles and responsibilities of the various actors and does verification
assess the actions of all relevant actors?
(e) Does the legality definition include the main areas of existing law outlined above? If not, why were certain areas of
law left out of the definition?
(f) Did the parties concerned consider all the main areas of applicable law in the country (including or not the thematic
areas presented above)?
( 1 ) http://ec.europa.eu/development/policies/9interventionareas/environment/forest/forestry_intro_en.cfm

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(g) Does the legality assurance system incorporate the main legal provisions identified during prior discussions between
the various stakeholders involved, in particular those noted in Annex IX?
(h) Have the legality definition and the legality enforcement matrix been amended since the FLEGT-VPA was concluded?
Have indicators and criteria been defined to ensure verification of these changes?
PART 2: 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 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).
2.1. Use rights: there is clear delineation of areas where forest resource rights have been allocated and the holders of
those rights have been identified.
(a) Does the control system ensure that only timber originating from a forest area with valid and permissible use
rights enters the supply chain?
(b) Does the control system ensure that companies carrying out harvesting operations have been issued with
appropriate use rights for the forest areas concerned?
(c) Are the procedures for issuing use rights and information on issued use rights and their holders available in the
public domain?
2.2. Systems for supply chain control: there are effective mechanisms for tracing timber throughout the supply chain
from point of harvest to 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 should reflect the type and value of timber and
the risk of contamination with illegal or unverified timber.
(a) Are all the supply chain alternatives identified and described in the control system?
(b) Are all stages in the supply chain identified and described in the control system?
(c) Are methods defined and documented to (a) identify the product’s 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.
(d) Which organisations are responsible for monitoring the timber flows? Do they have adequate human and other
resources to carry out the control activities?
2.3. 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
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Does the control system produce quantitative data on inputs and outputs at the following stages of the supply chain?
— standing timber,
— logs in the forest,
— transported and stored timber,
— arrival at the factory,
— between production lines/processing facilities,
— exit from production lines/processing facilities,
— exit from factory,
— arrival at point of export.
(a) Which organisations are responsible for feeding the quantitative data into the control system and are the
corresponding procedures documented? What is the relevance of the data that is checked?
(b) Does the control system enable quantitative data to be recorded and reconciled quickly with prior and
subsequent stages in the supply chain?
(c) Are the staff in charge of control system management adequately trained?
(d) What information is made publicly available on supply chain control? How can interested parties access this
information?
2.4. Mixing legally verified timber with other approved timber: 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 timber which was harvested without legal harvesting rights.
(a) 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 with clear legal harvesting rights but still not covered by the LAS
described in this Agreement)?
(b) What control measures are applied in these cases? For example, do controls ensure that verified declared output
does not exceed total verified input at each stage?
(c) Does the control system enable watertight segregation of verified timber from other timber of illegal origin or
timber harvested without legal logging rights?
2.5. Imported timber products: there are adequate controls to ensure that imported timber and derived products have
been legally imported.
(a) How is the legality of imports of timber and derived products demonstrated (does the system ensure that the
timber was legally imported)?
(b) How is the traceability of timber and derived products ensured? Are these timber and derived products identified
throughout the whole supply chain?
(c) What evidence is required to demonstrate that imported products originate from trees harvested legally in a third
country?
(d) Where imported timber is used, can the country of origin be identified on the FLEGT licence, including that of
components in composite products?

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PART 3: 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 taken in good time.
3.1. Organisation
Verification is carried out by a government, a third-party organisation or some combination of these. This body will
have adequate resources, management systems and skilled and trained personnel, as well as robust and effective
mechanisms to monitor conflicts of interest.
(a) 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?
(b) Does the verification body have adequate resources to verify the legality definition and systems for monitoring
the timber supply chain?
(c) Does the verification body have a fully documented management system that:
— has sufficient resources to undertake on-site checks as often as required to ensure the credibility of the
system?
— ensures that its staff have the necessary skills and experience to implement effective verification?
— applies internal control/supervision?
— includes mechanisms to monitor conflicts of interest?
— ensures the transparency of the system?
— defines and applies verification methodology?
3.2. Verification against the legality definition
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.
(a) Does the verification methodology cover all elements of the legality definition and include tests of compliance
with all specified indicators?
(b) 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 auditor?
(c) Are institutional roles and responsibilities clearly defined and applied?
(d) Are the results of verification against the legality definition made publicly available? How can interested parties
access this information?
3.3. Verification of supply chain control systems
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.
(a) Are institutional roles and responsibilities clearly defined and applied?
(b) Does the verification methodology fully cover checks on supply chain controls? Is this clearly spelt out in the
verification methodology?

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(c) Is there a clear distinction in the LAS between products coming from sources (forest concessions) included in the
legality definition and those coming from sources not included?
(d) What evidence is there to demonstrate enforcement of supply chain control verification?
(e) Data reconciliation:
Which organisation is responsible for data reconciliation? Does it have adequate human and other resources to carry
out the data management activities?
Are there methods to assess consistency between standing timber and timber entering the factory, and then at export
point?
Are there methods to assess consistency 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 data recording and for data storage and reconciliation?
Are there robust systems in place for making the data secure?
Are the verification results on supply chain control made publicly available? How can interested parties access this
information?
3.4. Non-compliance
There is an effective and functioning mechanism for requiring and enforcing appropriate corrective action when
infringements are identified.
(a) Does the verification system define the above requirement?
(b) Is there available documentation specifying the methods for handling non-compliances?
(c) Have mechanisms been developed for handling non-compliances? Are these applied in practice?
(d) Are there adequate records available on the infringements identified and corrective actions taken? Is the effec
tiveness of corrective actions evaluated? Is monitoring of corrective actions provided?
(e) What information on identified infringements goes into the public domain?
PART 4: AUTHORISATION
Each shipment is accompanied by a FLEGT licence. The CAR is responsible for issuing licences.
4.1. Organisation
(a) What body is assigned responsibility for issuing FLEGT licences?
(b) Are the roles of the licensing authority and its personnel clearly defined and publicly available?
(c) Are the required skills defined and internal controls established for the licensing authority staff?
(d) Does the licensing authority have adequate resources to carry out its task?
4.2. Issuing licences
(a) Does the licensing authority have documented procedures for issuing licences? Are these publicly available,
including any fees payable?
(b) Is there documented proof that these procedures are properly applied in practice?
(c) 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?

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4.3. Licences issued
(a) Is the licensing based on individual shipments?
(b) Has the legality of an export shipment been demonstrated through government verification and traceability
systems?
(c) Are the requirements for issuing licences clearly specified and available to the exporter and other parties
concerned?
(d) What information on issued licences goes into the public domain?
PART 5: INDEPENDENT SYSTEM AUDIT
The Independent System Audit (ISA) is a function that is independent of the CAR’s forest sector regulatory bodies. It aims
to provide credibility to the FLEGT licensing scheme by checking that all aspects of the CAR’s LAS are operating as
intended.
5.1. Institutional
arrangements
5.1.1. Designation of the authority
The CAR has formally authorised the ISA function and allows it to operate in an effective and transparent way.
5.1.2. 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.
(a) Does the government have documented independence requirements for the ISA?
(b) Do provisions state that organisations or individuals with a commercial interest or an institutional role in the
CAR’s forest sector are not eligible to perform the role of ISA?
5.1.3. Appointment of the independent auditor
The independent auditor is appointed through a transparent mechanism and there are clear and publicly available
rules regarding its actions.
(a) Has the government made the Terms of Reference for the independent auditor publicly available?
(b) Has the government documented the procedures for appointing the independent auditor and made them
publicly available?
5.1.4. Establishing a complaints mechanism
There is a mechanism for handling complaints and disputes arising from the independent audit. This mechanism
makes it possible to deal with any complaint relating to the operation of the licensing scheme.
(a) Is there a documented complaints mechanism in place that is available to all interested parties?
(b) Is it clear how complaints are received, documented, referred to a higher level (where necessary) and responded
to?
5.2. The
independent
auditor
5.2.1. 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 that meet internationally accepted
best practice.
Does the independent auditor operate in accordance with a documented management system that meets the
requirements of ISO Guides 62, 65 or similar standards?

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5.2.2. Audit methodology
The methodology of the independent audit is evidence-based and verifications are carried out at specific and
frequent intervals.
(a) Does the methodology specify that all findings are based on objective evidence concerning the functioning of
the LAS?
(b) Does the methodology specify the maximum intervals at which each element of the LAS will be verified?
5.2.3. 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
effectiveness?
5.2.4. Reporting requirements
The independent auditor sends regular reports on LAS integrity to the Joint Implementation Committee, including
failings and an assessment of the corrective measures taken.
Do the independent auditor’s Terms of Reference specify the reporting requirements and reporting intervals?

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ANNEX VIII
INDICATIVE SCHEDULE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT
2011 2012 2013 2014-2017
1st Q 2nd
Q 3rd Q 4th
Q
ACTIVITIES SECONDARY
ACTIVITIES PREPARATORY
PHASE
OPERATIONAL
PHASE
1- Produce and evaluate a
communications plan
I. AWARENESS
RAISING AND
2- Implement the communi
GENERAL
cations plan
INFORMATION
3- Develop and update the
Internet site
1- Transpose/officially
recognise the responsibilities
(as described in this
Agreement) of the different
verification and verification
control structures and update
the MEFCP’s organic text
2- Establish and run the joint
consultation mechanism
II. INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK
3- Establish the Joint Imple
mentation and Monitoring
Committee
4- Establish and run the
National Agreement Imple
mentation and Monitoring
Committee
5- Establish a Permanent
Technical Secretariat (STP)
1- Train the actors in relation
to elements of the Voluntary
Partnership Agreement) (VPA)
2- Produce a training and
capacity building plan for the
different verification and
verification control structures,
III. CAPACITY
along with civil society and
BUILDING
the private sector
3- Implement the training
plan
4- Establish equipment and
logistical needs

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2011 2012 2013 2014-2017
1st Q 2nd
Q 3rd Q 4th
Q
ACTIVITIES SECONDARY
ACTIVITIES PREPARATORY
PHASE
OPERATIONAL
PHASE
5- Acquire equipment and
logistical tools
6- Make offices available
(STP, ICEF, BMIV, CDF,
licensing authority)
7- Establish the Customs
Conciliation and Expertise
Commission (CCED) and train
staff
1- Develop regulations
according to the legality defi
nition in Annex II
2- Improve the legal
framework relating to the
domestic timber market
3- Improve the legal
framework relating to forests
(community, communal and
IV. REFORM OF
private forests) and planta
THE LEGAL
tions
FRAMEWORK
4- Procedure for ratifying the
VPA
5- Produce a non-compliance
management manual
6- Develop legal measures to
improve governance (organic
text, monitoring, national
tracking system, etc.)
1- Finalise procedures relating
to the NTS (methods,
controls, verifications, etc.),
including TEREA mission.
2- Implement the planned
national tracking system
(NTS)
V. ESTABLISHING
THE NATIONAL 3- Establish links between the
TRACKING
databases of the main
SYSTEM (NTS)
structures involved
4- Design then establish
database links with CEMAC
countries
5- Acquire materials and
equipment (identifiers,
identifier readers, computers)

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2011 2012 2013 2014-2017
1st Q 2nd
Q 3rd Q 4th
Q
ACTIVITIES SECONDARY
ACTIVITIES PREPARATORY
PHASE
OPERATIONAL
PHASE
6- Roll out the system at
national level: establish and
equip checkpoints along the
supply chains, including
border posts (infrastructure,
computers, Internet links, etc.)
7- Strengthen the capacity of
the actors (MEFCP and other
departments involved, private
sector and civil society)
8- Train staff involved (ICEF,
CDF, BMIV and other minis
tries), private sector and civil
society
1- Where appropriate,
produce legality matrices
relating to artisanal permits
and community forests, to
include field tests
2- Each body responsible for
verification (public adminis
tration) to develop/strengthen
its verification procedures, in
cooperation with ICEF
3- Develop information
exchange protocols on legality
assurance between the public
administration and ICEF.
4- Develop operational
VI. ESTABLISHING procedures for running the
THE SCHEME
SGBD
FOR LEGALITY
ASSURANCE
5- Pilot test FLEGT licensing
(LAS)
scheme and put required
actions in place
6- Company preparation test
in the procedures for verifying
and issuing FLEGT licences
7- Training (particularly for
BMIV members) and
awareness raising on the
procedures for verifying the
legality of the logging entity
8- Operational evaluation of
the LAS, in accordance with
Article 12 of the Agreement
9- LAS up and running

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2011 2012 2013 2014-2017
1st Q 2nd
Q 3rd Q 4th
Q
ACTIVITIES SECONDARY
ACTIVITIES PREPARATORY
PHASE
OPERATIONAL
PHASE
1- Establish the licensing
authority
2- Raise awareness of the
detailed procedures for issuing
VII. SYSTEM FOR
FLEGT licences within the
ISSUING
private sector
LICENCES
3- Establish contacts with the
competent Union authorities
4- Issue FLEGT licences
1- Recruit the independent
auditor and develop a detailed
VIII. INDEPENDENT methodology (from March
SYSTEM
2013)
AUDITS
2- First audit, then successive
audits
1- Produce a promotional
plan, including a study of the
current markets
IX. PRODUCT
PROMOTION
2- Position and promote
STRATEGY
FLEGT products coming from
the CAR on the targeted
markets
1- Define and monitor social
indicators
2- Establish a system for
monitoring confiscated timber
3- Establish a system for
X. MONITORING
monitoring socio-economic
THE IMPACTS
and environmental impacts
OF THE VPA
4- Assess the socio-economic
impact midway through VPA
implementation
5- Monitor and assess forest
sector revenues
XI. SEEKING
1- Develop a fundraising
ADDITIONAL
strategy
FINANCING

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ANNEX IX
AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORTING MEASURES
I. LEGAL
AND
REGULATORY
TEXTS
I.1. Laws relating to the definition of legal timber
Bearing in mind the definition of legally produced timber given in Annex II, some legal and regulatory references
will need to be completed/revised before the FLEGT licensing scheme comes into full operation. Of these texts, the
following can be mentioned:
(a) Ministry for Water and Forests:
— Volume 3 of the forest land-use/management standards;
— Revision of the law on the PEA award committee, involving civil society;
— Laws regulating plantation forests (terms and conditions relating to plantations of more than 50 hectares;
definition of contractual relations between an individual/community and a logging company; other relevant
areas);
— Law regulating licensing authority information on certain aspects of forestry and environmental
management;
— Non-compliance management manual;
— Law regulating the use of non-compliant timber.
(b) Ministry of the Environment and Ecology:
— Implementing regulations for the Environment Code;
— Laws on measuring environmental impact.
(c) Ministry of Agriculture:
— Updated Law on compensation for crops;
— Rural code (use rights, land law).
(d) Ministry of Transport:
— Law governing the transportation of timber.
(e) Ministry for Trade and Industry:
— Law on registering companies with the local chambers.
(f) Ministry of Finances and Budgets:
— Law on imported timber and timber in transit.
(g) Ministry of the Interior:
— Law on decentralisation;
— Law on local governments.

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I.2. Laws on the LAS
Laws establishing the national tracking system:
— Organic Law on the Ministry responsible for forests, adapted according to the provisions taken in the context of
FLEGT (clarification of the roles of ICEF, CDF, BMIV and DR/IPs, for verifying and checking verification of
legality, along with the STP and Joint Committee);
— Order appointing the FLEGT licensing authority;
— Laws governing the local timber market;
— Law detailing the verification procedures anticipated in the LAS in the case of companies that have a private
certification system.
I.3. Laws on Agreement monitoring
— Organic Law on the Ministry responsible for forests, adapted according to the provisions taken in the context of
FLEGT;
— Law on the Joint Committee;
— Order appointing the Permanent Technical Secretariat: this will be a CAR body bringing together representatives
of the public administration, the private sector and civil society;
— Law on the participation of stakeholders and their role in Agreement implementation;
— Law instituting consideration within the LAS of independent monitoring undertaken by civil society.
II. STRENGTHENING
THE
HUMAN
CAPACITY
OF
THE
DIFFERENT
INSTITUTIONS
a. ICERF, licensing authority and other structures
The FLEGT Agreement is a new process that will have many requirements in terms of its implementation. It will
therefore be necessary to build the capacity of the administration.
The Central African Republic has decided to have the whole LAS verified by the Central Inspectorate for Water
and Forests (ICEF). The whole operations database will need to be centralised within a database management
system (SGBD) that will be held by the Forestry Data Centre (CDF). In addition, well before signing the Voluntary
Partnership Agreement (VPA), the government decided to implement a Mobile Intervention and Verification
Brigade (BMIV).
However, given that the organic law on the Ministry for Water and Forests, Hunting and Fisheries (MEFCP) sets
out responsibilities for both its centralised and decentralised departments, there are, in the first place, sometimes
overlaps in the current control system between the MEFCP’s centralised and decentralised departments and, in the
second, the different decentralised departments do not function properly.
Bearing in mind the LAS described in this Agreement, it will be necessary to specify, complete and amend the
roles of the different actors in the organic law on the MEFCP, and to redefine the interactions between the
different decentralised departments, along with the information flows between these different departments and
the SGBD, which will be centralised within the Ministry responsible for forests.
To this end, ICEF (in charge of data centralisation) will need to build its capacities through specific information
management training. This training will also need to be extended to other centralised and decentralised
departments involved in forestry management. This relates specifically to the CDF, FLEGT licensing authority
and regional directors, plus prefectural and border inspectors.
These departments will need to be trained on the data inputting software and the information exchange and
transmission procedures at central level.

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b. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society
NGOs and civil society are stakeholders in the process. Civil society’s independent monitoring is the mechanism
by which it can contribute effectively to implementation of the Agreement. The purpose of civil society’s
independent monitoring is to improve the State’s systems for implementing forestry law, with the aim of
good governance. It will need to document the information gathered and make it available to the FLEGT
licensing authority and the Joint Implementation Committee.
To this end, in order to ensure the proper involvement of these NGOs in implementing the Agreement, their
capacity will also need to be developed. They will need to follow training on civil society independent moni
toring, particularly data gathering and report writing.
c. Training from private companies (for example, for optimum understanding and deployment of the LAS)
d. Customs Conciliation and Expertise Commission (CCED)
e. Training of NTS actors
In order to ensure the proper involvement of all stakeholders in the national tracking system, there will be
ongoing grassroots training.
III. BUILDING
MATERIAL
CAPACITY
The dispersed nature of the different structures involved in legality assurance control makes the work of verification
difficult and, in the long term, risks causing delays in the issuing of licences.
The structures that will be involved in Agreement implementation are so large that if there are no premises to house
them their efficient functioning may be at risk, thus causing problems. It will therefore be essential to make
additional offices available (STP, ICEF, DGEF, DIAF, DEIF, DR/IPs, CDF, BMIV, FLEGT licensing authority) in
order to be able to group together all the services and thus improve coordination. Several possible options will
be studied (building, renovation, renting).
Moreover, ICEF, DGEF, DIAF, DEIF, CDF and the decentralised departments will need adequate logistical resources
(vehicles, computers, Internet communications, office equipment, etc.) to carry out their tasks. A study will
determine actual needs.
The current tracking system is not able to collect all information linked to the timber supply chain. One option
chosen by the Central African Republic is to develop a draft NTS in accordance with Annex V. This draft, the costs
of which have yet to be established, will need to provide for sufficient logistical resources (vehicles, computers,
Internet communications, office equipment, etc.) to enable the CDF to gather and centralise all information on
timber.
IV. COMMUNICATION
Communication is an essential tool for implementation of the Agreement. Sufficient communication will be
necessary to keep the grassroots communities and the actors involved in the LAS informed. This will require:
— writing a communications plan for the various VPA-FLEGT actors;
— developing company communications/participation procedures in relation to the local and indigenous popu
lations;
— developing and updating the website of the Ministry responsible for forests;
— informing parliamentary members: parliament is a decision-making institution involved in adopting laws on
forest management. Given their position in their constituency and the role they play with their electorate, MPs
will need to be informed of the importance of the Agreement;
— informing logging companies: the companies will be kept abreast of developments in implementing the
Agreement and the procedures and methods they will be required to apply.

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V. STATISTICAL
MONITORING
OF
THE
DOMESTIC
TIMBER
MARKET
The domestic timber market in the CAR will need to observe FLEGT requirements. In order to gather information
on the domestic timber market and link with forest management generally, the creation of an inter-ministerial
committee responsible for monitoring and updating all statistics related to the domestic timber market is envisaged.
VI. MEASURES CONCERNING THE PROMOTION, INDUSTRIALISATION AND MARKETING OF TIMBER AND
DERIVED PRODUCTS
CAR timber and derived products covered by the Agreement may also include what are known as secondary tree
species, which do not yet have potential outlets. The CAR is required by this Agreement to encourage the private
sector to conduct a more thorough and diversified processing that is of interest to the European market.
To this end, the CAR will take restrictive measures on the export of logs by implementing Article 44 of the CAR’s
Forestry Code.
On the other hand, this promotion requires the total openness of Union operators and their interest in CAR timber
and derived products from all species.
Among the envisaged measures, a number of actions could be considered.
1. Undertaking an inventory of the timber sector in the CAR;
2. Analysing the dynamics and requirements;
3. Preparing a plan for the assessment, industrial development and more advanced processing of timber;
4. Preparing processing rules;
5. Preparing incentives for the use of timber (quality standards, promotion of new products);
6. Typifying and promoting lesser known species;
7. Encouraging technology transfer for industrialisation.
VII. CROSS-CUTTING MEASURES
The implementation of activities in the context of the CAR’s FLEGT-VPA relies primarily on two cross-cutting
measures:
1. In terms of organisation, it will be a question of finalising a detailed and updated plan of tasks related to
Agreement implementation in order to translate the eleven (11) activities anticipated in the implementation
schedule into action.
2. In terms of financing, it will be a matter of mobilising the appropriate financial resources, relying in particular on
task planning. It will be possible to use special forest development taxes (CAS-DF) to finance these activities and
these could come from funds arising out of the REDD process.

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ANNEX X
FUNCTIONS OF THE JOINT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
The Joint Implementation Committee is responsible for managing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and
providing monitoring and evaluation of its implementation. It will, in particular, carry out the following tasks.
Agreement management
— Commission an independent assessment of the FLEGT licensing scheme, in accordance with Article 12 of the
Agreement, and recommend a date on which the scheme should enter into full force.
— Facilitate a dialogue and exchange of information between the two Parties, in accordance with Article 19 of the
Agreement, examine any subject introduced by either of the two Parties and identify the follow-up to be given.
— Play the role of mediator and seek to resolve conflicts or disputes in accordance with Article 24 of the Agreement.
— Adopt amendments relating to the annexes to this Agreement, in accordance with Article 26.
— Monitor the social, economic and environmental effects of Agreement implementation on potentially affected popu
lations.
Monitoring and assessment of Agreement implementation
— Provide monitoring of the general state of progress of Agreement implementation and evaluate the progress made in
relation to the schedule given in the relevant annex, in accordance with Article 14 of this Agreement.
— Identify and analyse possible difficulties encountered during Agreement implementation.
— Publish an annual report on Agreement implementation, in accordance with Article 19 of the Agreement.
— Receive and examine complaints relating to implementation of the Agreement and the FLEGT licensing scheme.
— Identify, examine, propose and, where appropriate, take measures aimed at improving the good execution of the
Agreement, in particular on the basis of the observations of the independent auditor.
— Examine and monitor complaints referred by the ISA.
Independent system audit (ISA), in accordance with Annex VI
— Approve the procedures manual developed and submitted by the ISA and approve the audit report framework
proposed by the ISA in the context of the documented procedures.
— Agree the auditor’s schedule of work and recommend additional audits as appropriate.
— Send the auditor possible complaints received regarding the FLEGT licensing scheme.
— Examine all reports produced by the auditor.
— Examine the independent auditor’s provisional reports and comment, as appropriate.
— Request a specific additional report from the auditor in case of need.
— Examine complaints relating to the work of the independent auditor, in accordance with Article 10.
— Approve the renewal of the ISA contract, as appropriate.
Participation of actors involved in Agreement implementation
— Provide monitoring of the awareness raising and training of actors from the structures involved in the legality
assurance system (LAS) described in Annex V.
— Provide monitoring of the procedures for LAS non-compliance for actors from structures involved in the LAS.
— Monitor and define the appropriate measures to ensure the involvement of all stakeholders in Agreement implemen
tation.

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ANNEX XI
PUBLISHING INFORMATION
Publishing information encourages transparency and ensures a good understanding of the FLEGT licensing scheme on the
part of all actors, enabling them to ensure good governance in terms of forestry management.
It enables the different actors to understand the whole process leading up to the issuing of a FLEGT licence. The more
information all actors have on the basic reasons underlying the FLEGT, its implementation, its monitoring and verifi
cation, the more an understanding of the process will be shared, internalised and sufficiently owned, in order to facilitate
the implementation of the Agreement by all stakeholders. The method for producing the information shall be active
publication or access. The information shall be published as rapidly as possible in order to retain all the relevance of its
publication.
1. CONTENT OF THE REPORT OF THE JOINT IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
The annual report of the Joint Implementation Committee shall include, in particular:
— the quantities of timber and derived products exported to the European Union under the FLEGT licensing scheme,
by customs code and by recipient Member State of the EU;
— the number of FLEGT licences issued by the Central African Republic;
— progress in achieving the objectives and actions to be conducted within a deadline determined in the Agreement
and, generally, the different subjects related to Agreement implementation;
— actions aimed at preventing any possible export of timber and derived products of illegal origin to markets other
than the European Union or sale thereof on the national market;
— the quantities of timber and derived products imported to the Central African Republic or having transited the
Central African Republic;
— action taken to prevent imports of timber and derived products of illegal origin in order to maintain the integrity
of the FLEGT licensing scheme;
— cases of non-compliance with the FLEGT licensing scheme in the CAR and action taken to resolve these cases;
— the quantities of timber and derived products imported into the Union under the FLEGT licensing scheme, by
relevant customs code and by recipient Member State of the Union;
— the number of CAR FLEGT licences received by the Union;
— the number of times timber from the CAR has arrived at Union customs without a licence and the quantities of
timber and derived products involved;
— the structure and functioning of the Joint Committee.
2. INFORMATION
ON
THE
MEANS
AND
CHANNELS
FOR
PUBLISHING
INFORMATION
The information will be published by the Joint Implementation Committee and by both Parties, for information
relevant to them. Information related to logging and timber movements will be available from the Forestry Data
Centre (CDF) of the Ministry for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries (MEFCP); an interconnection will enable the
departments involved in forestry activities (MEFCP, finances, employment, agriculture, trade, justice) to be linked to
the CDF database while the General Directorate for the Official Journal will publish all laws and regulatory texts
online.
Depending on the target audience, and on whether it is located in urban or rural areas, and whether it is predomi
nantly literate or not, the information will be published through the following modern means and channels:
— Active channels
— State and private national and international press;
— Local and community radio;

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— Conferences and discussion meetings;
— Seminars and dissemination workshops;
— Distribution of documentary films;
— Production and distribution of radio/TV broadcasts;
— Production of shows, etc.;
— In addition, in the context of the communications plan, public information sessions will be held and will be
an opportunity to distribute this information to stakeholders, particularly people on the ground and commu
nities without access to the Internet and/or written press.
— Passive channels
— Internet sites of the Ministry for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries;
— Official Journal;
— Library of the Ministry for Water, Forests, Hunting and Fisheries;
— Statistical yearbook for the Forest and Hunting sector of the MEFCP;
— Annual reports of the forest administration, which can be consulted in the central or decentralised
departments at provincial level.
Based on both active and passive channels, the published information will include data from the following areas.
3. LEGAL
INFORMATION
— International conventions and agreements signed and ratified by the CAR with regard to the protection of flora
and fauna (CITES, etc.), the protection of human and peoples’ rights (UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples, 61/295, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, etc.), work and employment etc.;
— The FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (body of text and its annexes);
— Permit award decree;
— Permit cancellation decree;
— Forestry Code and all related regulatory texts;
— Environment Code and all related regulatory texts;
— Water Code and all related regulatory texts;
— Employment Code and implementing regulations relating to the forest sector;
— Finance Law for each year;
— General Tax Code;
— Investment Charters;
— National COMIFAC Convergence Plan;
— Poverty reduction strategy document;
— Order creating the validation commission for forest land-use management documents (PG and PAO).
The regulatory texts to be adopted during the implementation phase will also be made public.

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4. INFORMATION
ON
THE
PROCEDURES
FOR
ALLOCATING
CONCESSIONS
— Exploitation and land-use permits (PEAs)
— Tender procedures manual for the PEA award process;
— Notice of calls for tenders relating to permit allocations;
— Notice of calls for tenders relating to the recruitment of the independent monitor in the PEA award process;
— Minutes of the Joint Commission for Allocating Exploitation and Land-use Permits (PEAs);
— Order establishing the Joint Commission for Allocating Exploitation and Land-use Permits;
— List of bidders for exploitation and land-use permits;
— Report of the independent monitor on the PEA award procedure;
— List of valid concessions with names of beneficiary people and/or companies;
— Minutes of meetings related to respect for local and indigenous communities’ customary rights of access and
use in forest concessions.
— Plantation forests
— Notices of calls for tenders to run State plantations;
— List of bidders to run plantations;
— Authorisations to run plantations;
— Environmental conformity certificate;
— List of State plantations.
5. INFORMATION
ON
FOREST
PLANNING
— Exploitation and land-use plan
— Environmental assessment reports (EIES, environmental audits);
— Land-use planning document;
— List and total areas of concessions under development;
— List and total areas of concessions awaiting development;
— National standards for producing land-use plans (Volumes 1, 2 and 3).
— Plantation
— Notice of call for tenders for environmental impact studies;
— Environmental assessment report;
— Simple management plan.
6. INFORMATION
ON
PRODUCTION
— Total annual production of timber and derived products in all PEAs under exploitation;
— Total annual production of timber and derived products in all plantations under exploitation;

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— Annual volume of timber and derived products for processing at national level, by species, concession and
company;
— List of destination countries and volumes exported by species, concession and company;
— Annual volumes of timber seized;
— Annual volumes of timber having transited through the CAR and their origin;
— Volumes on the Central African Republic’s market.
7. INFORMATION
ON
PROCESSING
— List of approved operational processing companies;
— Location of processing facilities.
8. INFORMATION
ON
THE
LEGALITY
ASSURANCE
SYSTEM
— FLEGT licensing scheme;
— Report of the civil society independent monitor;
— Information on forest activity and social clauses in the management plans (information and maps);
— Information and maps on forest activity and social clauses in the annual operational plans;
— Official report in the case of destruction of assets belonging to local or indigenous communities by the company;
— Proof of compensation by the incriminated company;
— Inspection visit report from the forestry administration;
— Cases of non-compliance with the FLEGT licensing scheme in the CAR and actions taken to resolve these cases.
9. INFORMATION
ON
THE
INDEPENDENT
AUDIT
— Regular summary audit reports;
— Procedure for challenging the audit.
10. INFORMATION ON THE PAYMENT OF FOREST TAXES AND FEES
— Annual rent;
— Felling taxes;
— Reforestation taxes;
— Exit fees.
11. INFORMATION ON THE INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP
— Structure and functioning of the Joint Implementation Committee;
— Structure and functioning of the National Monitoring and Implementation Committee;
— Permanent Technical Secretariat.

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