Indonesia’s FLEGT License Pays Off With Increased Exports

Certified wood exports from Indonesia increased 10 percent year-over-year in 2016 for a total volume of 17.46 million tons, according to Fordaq.

The trade activity is attributed to Indonesia’s Forest Law Enforcement, Government and Trade (FLEGT) license, which the country received in 2016. FLEGT licensees get “hassle-free” entry into the European Union for wood product shipments, because the license means Indonesia’s forest management policies have been vetted and its wood products pose a negligible risk of being illegal.

Indonesia was the first FLEGT licensee to ship products into the EU. Other countries working toward a FLEGT license are Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.