The Illegal logging update and stakeholder consultation meeting held by Chatham House on 16-17 June provided an interesting overview on the developments of China Timber Legality Verification Scheme (CLTVS).
According to UK's Confederation of the Timber Industries, the Chinese delegation - composed by Chen Shaozhi from the Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information at Chinese Academy of Forestry and Xu Bin, from Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information at Chinese Academy of Forestry - explained background, progresses and impact of CTVLS in China.
The CTLVS is a government-led, voluntary and DD-based scheme, aimed to combat illegal logging, regulate timber products production in China and meet the global timber legality requirements. Through the scheme, China intends to "effectively and easily operating system to help the business trace and manage their supply chains for timber legality."
Main findings of the presentations include:
- China has launched CTLVS standard piloting tests to verify quality managements requirements, information access, risk evaluation and risk mitigation tools
- The preliminary five piloting tests have shown an improved understanding of legality among pilot companies and better capacity to exercise due diligence and legality
- China is exploring mutual recognition mechanism through bi & multilateral dialogues with a wide range of trade partners (i.e. China's initiative on MRM in APEC EGLAT meeting in Qingao, 2014 or APEC legality guide).
- CTLVS has gained increasing attentions from Chinese industry associations, CBs, CSOs and businesses. In particular CNFPIA and other associations have strong willingness to promote and implement CTLVS among their members, while a number of export-oriented companies, particularly SMEs, has casted concerns on the impact of the legality verification scheme
China is one of the world’s largest importers, consumers and exporters of wood-based products. According to the Illegal Logging portal, "the country’s demand for timber doubled over the period 2000-12, to supply both domestic and export markets, and this demand has been met increasingly by imports. In 2013, over 15% of imports of wood-based products were estimated to be illegal."
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