Guidelines for verification of legality and sustainability of wood and wood products.
Geographical Areas of Interest
Japan/Global
Supply Chain Focus
Forest production
Processing/Manufacturing
Trade
Related CHapters
Contact Details
Forestry Agency,
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan
http://www.maff.go.jp/e/index.htmlTraceability
Requires that relevant documentation and evidence (e.g., invoices, contract sales, logging notification, etc.) be preserved during definite terms.
Information Accuracy
Requires verification of legality and sustainability through various instruments and procedures, such as wood industry associations’ codes of conduct, self-verification mechanisms and forest certification systems. Certification systems that are recognized to meet monitoring and verification requirements include Japan’s Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council, the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), the Indonesian Lembaga Ekolabel (LEI), the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCS), PEFC, and SFI.
Legality
Requires that timber be harvested in a legal manner, consistent with procedures in the forest laws of timber-producing countries. Legality is a priority for the Japanese government.
SFM
Requires that timber be harvested under a sustainable management regime, and verified through various instruments such as forest certification systems (CSA, FSC, Japan’s Sustainable Green Ecosystem Council, LEI, MTCS, PEFC and SFI), codes of conduct of wood industry associations, and self-verification mechanisms.
Pollution
Includes specifications for pollutant emissions in the processing of procured raw materials.
Fresh and Recycled Fiber
Requires specific percentages of recycled content for various solid and pulp-based products.