REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Since Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) became applicable, exports of FLEGT-licensed timber products from November 15, 2016, until February-end 2017 reached 298.5 million kilograms, or worth US$409.3 million, Environment and Forestry Ministry stated.

Lhaksmi Dhewanti, an expert staff of the International Trade and Industry, noted here on Tuesday (Apr 4) that within six months since the implementation of FLEGT, some 11,817 export licenses have been issued by 27 European Union (EU) countries.

"With FLEGT licenses, Indonesian furniture products have gained a stronger bargaining position. Moreover, they have high quality and design," she remarked.

Dhewanti added that Indonesia is the first and only country in the world to hold FLEGT licenses, which guarantee that the nation's wood products can pass through the green channel entrance of the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR). 

Indonesia's FLEGT licenses have been acquired through the implementation of a certification system called the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK).

Dhewanti said the verification demonstrates that SVLK is credible as a mechanism to verify the legality of Indonesian timber products.

The SVLK is not only prepared for the EU market but also for other countries in an effort to ensure legality and sustainability of Indonesian exports, she stated.

"We are setting up a license for exports to Australia, the US, and Japan. The FLEGT is for the EU market, but the SVLK is not merely for the EU market," she pointed out.

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation Charles-Michel Geurts explained that a valid FLEGT license frees the operator from the obligation of due diligence, as the license is a proof of the legality of timber.

The EUTR requires the EU traders who sell wood products in the EU market to duly abide by the diligence procedures and necessitates operators to archive all suppliers and buyers.

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