COUNCIL DECISION
of 14 May 2012
on the conclusion of a 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)
(2012/374/EU)
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
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)
Article 1
Objective
Article 2
Definitions
Article 3
FLEGT licensing scheme
Article 4
Licensing authority
Article 5
Competent authorities of the Union
Article 6
FLEGT licences
Article 7
Definition of legally produced wood
Article 8
Verifying the legality of the timber produced or acquired
Article 9
Consultation on the validity of FLEGT licences
Article 10
Independent auditor
Article 11
Irregularities
Article 12
Date of introduction of the FLEGT licensing scheme
Article 13
Application of LAS to timber and derived products not exported to the Union
Article 14
Schedule for implementation of this Agreement
Article 15
Supporting measures
Article 16
Stakeholder involvement in the implementation of this Agreement
Article 17
Social safeguards
Article 18
Market incentives
Article 19
Joint Implementation Committee
Article 20
Communication on implementation of this Agreement
Article 21
Reporting and public disclosure
Article 22
Confidential information
Article 23
Territorial application
Article 24
Settlement of disputes
Article 25
Suspension
Article 26
Amendments
Article 27
Annexes
Article 28
Duration and extension
Article 29
Termination
Article 30
Entry into force
Article 31
Authentic texts
ANNEX I
LIST OF PRODUCTS COVERED BY THE VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (VPA)
ANNEX II
DEFINITION OF LEGALLY PRODUCED WOOD
Introduction
Clarification regarding the matrix indicators
PRINCIPLE 1: THE COMPANY HAS A LEGAL EXISTENCE |
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Indicator |
Verifiers |
Legislative or regulatory text |
Concessions concerned |
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Ordinance No 83.083 of 31.12.1983 (Articles 7 and 8) |
All (PEA and Plantations) |
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Decree No 83.550 of 31.12.1983 (Articles 1 to 7) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 176) |
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Registration Guide |
All |
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General Tax Code v. 2009 (Article 334) |
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Order No 004/MEFPCI/DFB/CAB/SGF/DGID establishing the requirement to use an NIF (Articles 1 and 2) |
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Law No 06.035 of 28.12.2006 on the Social Security Code (Article 31) |
All |
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Decree No 09.116 of 27.4.2009 |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 31) |
PEAs |
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Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Article 17.6) |
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Ordinance No 83.083 of 31.12.1983 (Article 12) |
All |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 93) |
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Law No 09.004 on the Labour Code (Article 331) |
All |
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Refer to Annex IX: legal reference to be created |
All |
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Law No 99.008 of 19.5.1999 (Articles 1 to 7) |
All |
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Copy of contribution payment receipts |
All |
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Decree 00.068 establishing the system for employer contributions to ACFPE (Articles 2 and 4) |
All |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code, (Articles 209 and 204(2)) |
All |
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Order No 09.020 of 30.4.2009 (Articles 92(2) and 93) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 204(2)) |
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Order No 09.020 of 30.4.2009 (Articles 92(2) and 93) |
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Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code (Article 114) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 208 to 233) |
All |
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Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code (Articles 114 to 143) |
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PRINCIPLE 2: LEGAL ACCESS RIGHTS TO FOREST RESOURCES IN ITS AREA OF OPERATION |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 31, 41 and 48) |
PEAs |
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Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Article 17(6)) |
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Order No 019 of 5.7.2006 approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 1) |
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Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2) |
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Decree No 09.118 (Articles 13 to 17) |
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Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Articles 22 and 44) |
PEAs |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 179 to 189) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code of the CAR (Article 131) |
Private plantations |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 107, 109 and 110, Article 114) |
PEAs |
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Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Article 17(4)) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 62 and 64) |
Plantations |
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Order No 09.021 of 30.4.2009 (Articles 72 to 75) |
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Refer to Annex IX: General Conditions need to be created |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code of the CAR (Article 131) |
Private plantations |
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Refer to Annex IX: General Conditions need to be created |
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Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2) |
PEAs |
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PRINCIPLE 3: COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION |
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Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code (Article 87 and Article 93(2)) |
PEAs |
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Refer to Annex IX: implementing regulations need to be created. |
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Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code (Article 87) |
PEAs |
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Refer to Annex IX: implementing regulations need to be created. |
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Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code (Articles 3, 19 and 20, 43 to 45) |
PEAs |
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Refer to Annex IX: implementing regulations need to be created. |
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Law No 07.018 of 28.12.2007 on the Environment Code (Articles 15, 102 and 106(2)) |
PEAs |
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Refer to Annex IX: implementing regulations need to be created. |
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PRINCIPLE 4: RIGHTS OF WORKERS, AND LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES |
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Law 09.004 of 29.1.2009 on the Labour Code (Articles 12, 17, 18, 30, 31, 33) |
All |
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Law 09.004 of 29.1.2009 on the Labour Code (Articles 58, 60, 67) |
All |
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Law 09.004 of 29.1.2009 on the Labour Code (Articles 63 and 129) |
All |
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The collective agreement for logging companies in the Central African Republic (Article 10(4)) |
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Law 09.004 on the Labour Code (Articles 197 to 201 and 331) |
All |
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Law 09.004 on the Labour Code (Articles 221 to 230 and 94 to 99) |
All |
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Collective agreement for logging companies |
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Law No 09.004 on the Labour Code (Articles 82 to 87) |
All |
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Order 005/MFPESSFP/CAB/DGTEFP of 11 July 2004 on the establishment and functioning of health and safety committees in the CAR (Articles 1 to 3; Articles 9 to 17) |
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Collective agreements for logging companies |
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International Labour Office, C155 Occupational Safety and Health Convention 1981 (Article 12(a)(b), Article 16), ratified by the CAR on 5.6.2006 |
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Law 09.004 on the Labour Code (Articles 247 to 251) |
All |
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Law 09.004 on the Labour Code (Articles 247 to 249, Article 97) |
All |
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Collective agreements for logging companies |
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Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 1) |
PEAs |
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Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 14 to 22, 107) |
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Decree 09.118 of 28.4.2009 (Articles 17(4 and 5)) |
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Order No 005/Ministry of Rural Development of 9.7.1973 |
PEAs |
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PRINCIPLE 5: TIMBER HARVESTING LEGISLATION |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 14) |
PEAs |
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Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 102 and 107) |
PEAs |
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Provisional land-use agreement |
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Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 1) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 102 to 105 and Article 107) |
PEAs |
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Provisional land-use agreement - logging |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 103) |
PEAs |
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Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 1) |
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Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 94, 103 and 114) |
PEAs |
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Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 1) |
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Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2) |
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Order No 0.19 of 5.7.2006 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 1) |
PEAs |
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Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 94, 103 and 114) |
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Article 64 of Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code of the CAR |
Plantations |
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Articles 72 to 75 of Order No 09.021 of 30.4.2009 |
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Refer to Annex IX: General Conditions need to be created |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 105) |
PEAs |
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Order No 09.026 of 28.7.2009 on approving national rules for producing land-use plans (Volume 2) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 94, 103 and 114) |
PEAs |
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Provisional logging agreement |
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Final agreement |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 105) |
PEAs |
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Final logging agreement |
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Provisional logging agreement |
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Order No 09.021 of 30.4.2009 (Article 53) |
PEAs |
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Final agreement |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 186 and 190) |
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Final logging agreement |
PEAs |
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Provisional logging agreement |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 201, 202 and 204) |
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PRINCIPLE 6: PROCESSING OF FOREST PRODUCTS |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 39) |
PEAs |
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Provisional exploitation and land-use agreement |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 44) |
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Reference to be created: refer to Annex IX |
PEAs |
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Reference to be created: refer to Annex IX |
PEAs |
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PRINCIPLE 7: GENERAL AND FOREST TAXATION |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 190) |
All |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 190) |
All |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 190) |
All |
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Finance Law for each financial year |
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Decree 86.328 of 20.11.1986 (Article 2) |
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Finance Law for each financial year |
All |
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General Tax Code (Articles 120, 125, 140, 204, 247, 248 and 257) |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 179 to 193) |
PEAs |
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Finance Law for each financial year |
All |
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All |
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All |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 198) |
All |
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Finance Law for each financial year |
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Instrument No 1/92-UDEAC-CD-SE1 |
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Articles 12 and 22 of the CEMAC Customs Code |
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Instrument No 1/93-UDEAC-573-CD-SE1 |
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Instrument No 7/93-UDEAC-556-CD-SE1 |
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Instrument No 16/96-UDEAC-556-CD-57 |
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Instrument No 5/89-UDEAC-491 |
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Finance Law for each financial year |
All |
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Instrument No 1/92-UDEAC-CD-SE1 |
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Articles 12 and 22 of the CEMAC Customs Code |
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Instrument No 1/93-UDEAC-573-CD-SE1 |
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Instrument No 7/93-UDEAC-556-CD-SE1 |
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Instrument No 16/96-UDEAC-556-CD-57 |
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Instrument No 5/89-UDEAC-491 |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 200) |
All |
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PRINCIPLE 8: THE TRANSPORT AND TRACEABILITY OF TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS |
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All |
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When transporting forest products for export, there is an additional reference: Decree No 90.043 of May 1990 organising road transport in the CAR |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 93) |
All |
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CEMAC Customs Code (Articles 133 and 134) |
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Decree No 90.043 of May 1990 organising road transport in the CAR |
All |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 93 and 96) |
All |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 93 and 96) |
All |
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Interministerial Order No 82 of 13.7.2004 |
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Refer to Annex IX: reference needs to be created for the National Tracking System |
All |
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Interministerial Order No 82 of 13.2.2004 |
All |
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PRINCIPLE 9: RESPECT FOR CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 177 to 192) |
PEAs |
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Reference to be created: order approving forest management rules underway, refer to Annex IX. |
PEAs |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Articles 50, 51) |
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Reference to be created: order approving forest management rules underway, refer to Annex IX. |
PEAs |
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Law No 08.022 of 17.10.2008 on the Forest Code (Article 90) |
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Wildlife Protection Code |
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Order No 84.045 of 27.7.1984 (Articles 34, 111 and 112) |
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PRINCIPLE 10: RELATIONS WITH SUB-CONTRACTORS IN ACTIVITIES OTHER THAN TIMBER PRODUCTION |
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Code for the Registration of Stamps and Curatorship (Articles 2 and 13) |
All |
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Civil Code (Articles 1101 and following) |
All |
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List of laws, principle regulatory texts, regional and international agreements to be considered in forest legality
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
Article 1
Processing licences
Article 2
Documentary control of licences
Article 3
Request for additional information
Article 4
Physical verification
Article 5
Prior verification
Article 6
Release for free circulation
ANNEX IV
CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE ISSUING OF AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR FLEGT LICENCES
SECTION 1
FORMALITIES RELATING TO FLEGT LICENCE APPLICATIONS
Article 1
Article 2
Article 3
Article 4
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Article 8
SECTION 2
REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO FLEGT LICENCES
Article 9
Article 10
Article 11
Article 12
Article 13
Article 14
SECTION 3
FLEGT LICENCE LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED
Article 15
SECTION 4
DOUBTS REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF A FLEGT LICENCE
Article 16
Appendices
Appendix 1
Format of the FLEGT licence
Appendix 2
Explanatory notes
General details
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 No) |
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 derived products |
Give the trade name of the timber product(s). |
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) (m3) |
Give the overall volume in m3. 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. |
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. |