Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Co-operati... (22023A0505(01))
Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union
- VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA ON FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT, GOVERNANCE AND TRADE IN TIMBER PRODUCTS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION
- ARTICLE 1
- Objective
- ARTICLE 2
- Definitions
- ARTICLE 3
- FLEGT licensing scheme
- ARTICLE 4
- Licensing authority
- ARTICLE 5
- Competent authorities
- ARTICLE 6
- FLEGT licences
- ARTICLE 7
- Definition of legally produced timber
- ARTICLE 8
- Guyana Timber Legality Assurance System (GTLAS)
- ARTICLE 9
- Application of the GTLAS to timber products
- ARTICLE 10
- Release of shipments covered by a FLEGT licence
- ARTICLE 11
- Independent Auditor
- ARTICLE 12
- Irregularities
- ARTICLE 13
- Date of operation of the FLEGT licensing scheme
- ARTICLE 14
- Schedule for implementation of this Agreement
- ARTICLE 15
- Supporting measures
- ARTICLE 16
- Stakeholder involvement in implementation of this Agreement
- ARTICLE 17
- Social safeguards
- ARTICLE 18
- Efforts to implement or ratify other agreements
- ARTICLE 19
- Market incentives
- ARTICLE 20
- Joint Monitoring and Review Committee
- ARTICLE 21
- Reporting and public disclosure of information
- ARTICLE 22
- Communication on implementation of this Agreement
- ARTICLE 23
- Confidential information
- ARTICLE 24
- Territorial application
- ARTICLE 25
- Consultations and mediation
- ARTICLE 26
- Arbitration
- ARTICLE 27
- Amendments
- ARTICLE 28
- Suspension
- ARTICLE 29
- Termination
- ARTICLE 30
- Duration
- ARTICLE 31
- Annexes
- ARTICLE 32
- Authentic texts
- ARTICLE 33
- Entry into force
- ANNEXES
- ANNEX I
- PRODUCT COVERAGE: THE HARMONISED COMMODITY CODES FOR TIMBER PRODUCTS COVERED UNDER THE FLEGT LICENSING SCHEME
- ANNEX II
- LEGALITY DEFINITION
- 1. List of acronyms
- 2. Introduction
- Structure and content of Legality Definition matrices
- 3. Definition of terms
- 4. Legality matrices
- 4.1 Legality matrix A for an FSO to legally conduct forest operations
- 4.2 Legality matrix B for a State forest authorisation (large concession)
- 4.3 Legality matrix C for a State forest authorisation (small concession)
- 4.4 Legality matrix D for an Amerindian Village
- 4.5 Legality matrix E for private land
- 4.6 Legality matrix F for salvaged timber products from State land in conversion
- 4.7 Legality matrix G for seized timber products ( 10 )
- 4.8 Legality matrix H for the processing and sale of timber products
- 4.9 Legality matrix I for the export and import of timber products
- 5. Glossary
- Appendix
- Applicable legal references
- ANNEX III
- CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE RELEASE FOR FREE CIRCULATION IN THE UNION OF TIMBER PRODUCTS EXPORTED FROM GUYANA AND COVERED BY A FLEGT LICENCE
- I. Lodging of the FLEGT licence (hereinafter referred to as the "licence")
- II. Checks on validity of licence documentation
- III. Requests for additional information
- IV. Verification of the conformity of the licence with the shipment
- V. Verification prior to the arrival of the shipment
- VI. Other matters
- VII. Release for free circulation
- ANNEX IV
- REQUIREMENTS AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLEGT LICENCES
- 1. General requirements relating to FLEGT licences
- 2. Responsibility of the FLEGT licensing authority
- 3. Procedure for issuing FLEGT licences
- 4. Technical specifications with regard to paper FLEGT licences
- 5. Technical specifications with regard to electronic FLEGT licences
- 6. Copies of FLEGT licences
- 7. Validity, withdrawal and replacement of FLEGT licences
- 8. Management of non-compliance related to FLEGT licences
- 9. Treatment of doubts regarding the validity of a licence
- APPENDICES
- Appendix 1
- Template 1: Format of the FLEGT licence
- Template 2: Additional information for complex shipment
- Appendix 2
- Notes for guidance
- ANNEX V
- THE GUYANA TIMBER LEGALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM (GTLAS)
- 1 INTRODUCTION
- 2 SCOPE OF THE GTLAS
- 2.1 Timber products covered by the GTLAS
- 2.2 Sources of timber
- 2.3 FSOs covered by the GTLAS
- 2.4 Applicable legislation and procedures
- 2.5 Roles and responsibilities of entities involved in GTLAS implementation
- 2.6 Implementing structures to ensure effective coordination
- 2.6.1 FLEGT VPA Secretariat
- 2.6.2 Government Coordination Body
- 2.6.3 National Implementation Working Group
- 3 DESCRIPTION OF THE GTLAS
- 3.1 Forest allocation and harvesting rights
- 3.1.1 Allocation of forest and harvesting rights for small and large concessions
- 3.1.2 Allocation of harvesting rights on State lands in conversion, Amerindian Villages and private land
- 3.1.3 Allocation of other rights
- 3.1.3.1 Use permits
- 3.1.3.2 Afforestation agreements
- 3.2 Legality Definition
- 3.3 WTS requirements
- 3.3.1 Pre-harvest inventory
- 3.3.2 Harvesting
- 3.3.3 Post-harvest
- 3.3.4 Transportation
- 3.3.5 Processing of timber products
- 3.3.6 Domestic sale of timber products
- 3.3.7 Export of timber products
- 3.3.8 Import of timber products
- 3.3.9 Timber products in transit
- 3.3.10 Seized and abandoned timber products
- 3.3.10.1 Seized timber products
- 3.3.10.2 Abandoned timber products
- 3.4 Verification of compliance with the allocation process, the Legality Definition and the WTS requirements
- 3.4.1 General principles for verification
- 3.4.2 Verification of compliance with the forest allocation process
- 3.4.3 Verification of compliance with the Legality Definition
- 3.4.4 Verification of WTS requirements
- 3.4.4.1 Verification of compliance of legal status, prior to conducting forest operations
- 3.4.4.2 Verification of compliance of pre-harvest inventory
- – Large concessions
- A. Field inspections
- A.1 Monitoring of pre-harvesting activities
- B. Desk verification
- B.1 Validation of forest management documents
- B.2 Verification of declared inventory information:
- – Small concessions
- – State lands in conversion
- – Amerindian Villages and private lands
- 3.4.4.3 Verification of compliance from harvesting and post-harvesting
- – Large concessions
- A. Field inspections and verifications:
- A.1 Monitoring of harvesting activities
- A.2 Log scaling inspections
- A.3 Post-harvest inspections
- A.4 Field verification of declared information for harvested logs
- B. Data verification:
- – Small concessions
- A. Field inspections and verifications:
- A.1 Monitoring of harvesting activities
- A.2 Field verification of declared information for harvested logs
- A.3 Post-harvest inspections
- B. Data verification:
- B.1 Verification of timber origin and harvesting restrictions through reconciliation between stump and log information:
- B.2 GFC headquarters verifies compliance with fiscal and tag-use obligations:
- – State lands in conversion
- – Amerindian Villages and private lands
- A. Field inspections:
- A.1 Monitoring of harvesting activities
- A.2 Field verification of declared information for harvested logs
- A.3 Post-harvest inspections
- B. Data verification:
- B.1 Verification of timber origin and accuracy of declared information through reconciliation between stump and log information:
- B.2 GFC headquarters verifies compliance with fiscal and tag-use obligations:
- 3.4.4.4 Verification of compliance of transport
- A. Field inspections:
- A.1 Monitoring of transport activities
- B. Data verification:
- B.1 Verification of declared information on timber products being transported:
- 3.4.4.5 Verification of compliance for processing facilities
- A. Field inspections and verification:
- A.1 Monitoring and verification of the source and accuracy of declarations of timber products entering the sawmill or lumberyard
- B. Data verification:
- B.1 Verification of accuracy of declared information through reconciliation:
- 3.4.4.6 Verification of compliance for the sale of timber product on the domestic market ( 18 )
- – Large or small concessions, State lands in conversion, Amerindian Villages and private lands
- 3.4.4.7 Verification of compliance with export requirements
- A. Field inspections:
- A.1 GFC inspection
- B. Data verification:
- B.1 Verification of declared information and timber product source:
- B.2 GFC headquarters verifies compliance with fiscal obligations:
- C. Field inspections
- C.1 CETO shipment inspection
- 3.4.4.8 Verification for imported timber product
- A. Data verification of the import application
- A.1 The NPPO, the GFC and the CETO coordinated documentary checks:
- B. Field inspection and verification:
- B.1 CETO and GFC (FMD) shipment inspection:
- C. Data verification
- C.1 Verification of timber product source through reconciliation:
- 3.5 Management of non-compliance
- 3.6 Consolidated verification
- 3.7 Data and information collection and management
- Figure 1: Data and information flow within the GTLAS
- 3.8 FLEGT licensing scheme
- (a) Documents
- (b) Verification
- (c) Grading
- (d) TLTU and FSO
- (e) CETO
- 3.9 Independent audit
- 3.10 Complaint mechanism for the GTLAS
- 3.10.1 Ministries and/or Government Agencies
- 3.10.2 Independent audit
- 3.10.3 The JMRC
- 3.11 Monitoring of GTLAS implementation
- 4 ENHANCING SYSTEMS SUPPORTING GTLAS IMPLEMENTATION
- Appendix
- ANNEX VI
- TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE INDEPENDENT AUDIT OF THE GTLAS
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Objectives
- 3. Tasks
- 4. Methodology: methods for gathering and assessing information and reporting
- 5. Reports and dissemination
- 6. Sources of information
- 7. Qualifications required
- 8. Selection process and institutional arrangements
- 9. Other requirements
- ANNEX VII
- SUPPORTING MEASURES AND FINANCING MECHANISMS
- 1. Strengthen implementing structures to ensure effective coordination
- 2. Strengthen the regulatory and legal framework
- 3. Support the development and operationalisation of the GTLAS
- 3.1. Supply chain (WTS)
- 3.2. Control and verification
- 3.3. Licensing
- 3.4. Independent audit
- 3.5. Complaint mechanism
- 3.6. Joint evaluation of the GTLAS
- 4. Build capacity
- 5. Communicate
- 6. Monitor the implementation of this Agreement
- 7. Monitor the impacts of this Agreement
- 8. Create a dedicated space for dialogue on land tenure, land use and conflicts
- 9. Carry out market improvements and industry development
- 9.1 International market
- 9.2 Domestic market
- 10. Establish finance mechanisms for the implementation of this Agreement
- ANNEX VIII
- CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING THE OPERATIONALITY OF THE GUYANA TIMBER LEGALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEM (GTLAS)
- BACKGROUND
- 1. LEGALITY DEFINITION
- 2. CONTROL OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN
- 2.1. Rights of use
- 2.2. Methods for controlling the supply chain
- 2.3. Quantitative data management
- 2.4. Segregation of legally verified timber from timber of unknown sources
- 2.5. Imported timber products
- 2.6. Timber in transit
- 2.7. Seized and forfeited timber products
- 3. VERIFICATION PROCEDURES
- 3.1. Organisation
- 3.2. Verification with respect to the Legality Definition
- 3.3. Verification of systems for controlling the integrity of the supply chain
- 3.4 Mechanisms for handling complaints
- 3.5. Mechanisms for dealing with non-compliance
- 4. LICENSING OF EXPORTS AND SALE ON THE DOMESTIC MARKET
- 4.1. Organisational set-up
- 4.2. Issuance of FLEGT licences and export certificates
- 4.3. Queries on issued FLEGT licences
- 4.4. Mechanism for handling relevant complaints and disputes
- 5. RESPONSIBILITIES OF OTHER GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS
- 6. THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS SUPPORTING GTLAS IMPLEMENTATION
- 7. INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
- ANNEX IX
- PUBLIC ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON THE FLEGT LICENSING SCHEME
- 1. INTRODUCTION
- 2. INFORMATION TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE JOINT MONITORING AND REVIEW COMMITTEE
- 3. INFORMATION TO BE PUBLISHED BY GUYANA
- 4. INFORMATION TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE UNION
- 5. INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS
- 6. OTHER INFORMATION TO BE MADE PUBLIC
- 7. METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
- 8. COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
- ANNEX X
- JOINT MONITORING AND REVIEW COMMITTEE
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