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SCS LegalHarvest™ Verification (LHV)Standard for the Assessment of Forests in

Suriname1 Scope

This SCS LegalHarvest Verification (LHV) Standard for the Assessment of Forests contains four (4) primary source

verification principles for assessing an organization’s legal right to harvest.

2 Effective Date of Standard

This Standard is effective as of November 18, 2013. All Forest Management Entities Verified to previous draft

versions of this standard shall be evaluated against this version at their next surveillance audit.

3 References FSC-STD-01-001 V4-0; FSC Principles and Criteria for Forest Stewardship FSC-STD-30-010 V2-0; FSC Controlled Wood Standard for Forestry Management Enterprises VL-01; SmartWood Generic Standard for Verification of Legal Origin (November 15, 2007) AD-TLTV-33-02; SGS Timber Legality and Traceability Verification (TLTV) Draft Generic

Standard (January 15, 2008) The Lacey Act - Chapter 53 of Title 16, United States Code (including May 2008

amendments) Suriname Forest Act; SB 1992, no 80

4 Terms and Definitions

Chain of custody: The succession of ownership of timber products from the forest through each stage of

manufacturing and distribution to the final consumer.

Claim: A statement made on invoices and shipping documents (in the case of LegalHarvest Verification this is

“LHV”) that asserts that the product being bought/sold/transported complies with the LHV Standards.

Country of origin: The country from which the wood was originally harvested, which is not necessarily the

country where the product was manufactured or traded.

Version 1-1 (November 2013) | © SCS Global Services of 17

Credible certification and verification programs: SCS recognizes FSC as a credible forest certification program.

Other certification and legal verification programs will be considered if they were designed through an ISEAL

compliant standard development process and are regularly monitored by an independent third party

certification body with ISO Guide 65 certification. SCS will evaluate and formally recognize programs through a

formal process of mutual recognition. Approved programs shall be made available on the SCS website

(www.SCSglobalServices.com)

Entity: A legally recognized company, nonprofit organization, government or other organization that procures

and distributes timber products in the market.

Forest Management Entity (FME): A legally recognized company, nonprofit organization, government or other

organization that is engaged in forest management, timber extraction and/or logging and provides these

products to the market.

Forest Management Unit (FMU): A clearly defined and demarcated area of land covered by forests, and usually

managed to a set of explicit objectives and according to a long-term forest management plan.

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): FSC is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization

established to promote responsible management of the world’s forests. It provides standard setting, trademark

assurance and accreditation services for companies and organizations interested in responsible forestry.

FSC certified: Wood derived from a well-managed forest, or recycled and controlled sources, as defined by the

FSC. Certified wood is only considered as such if it is delivered and duly noted on an invoice as “FSC Pure,” “FSC

Mixed,” “FSC Recycled,” or “FSC Controlled” material from an entity holding a valid FSC Chain-of-Custody

certificate per www.fsc-info.org. FSC Controlled Wood can only be sold to another FSC Chain-of-Custody

certificate-holder.

FSC Controlled Wood: Wood supply that has been screened to exclude all of five controversial sources: 1.

Illegally harvested wood; 2. Wood harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights; 3. Wood harvested in

forests where high conservation values are threatened by management activities; 4. Wood harvested in forests

being converted to plantations or non- forest use; and 5. Wood from forests in which genetically modified trees

are planted.

Group: a collection of forest management units or forest product factories or manufacturing sites owned

and/or managed by group members, all included under the same group verification statement held by the

Group Administrator. Groups may have different structures – individually owned, collectively owned, managed

as a community or in association. Under the SCS group verification protocols, a group verification structure

assumes two things: the Group Administrator manages an internal audit system for group members in line with

protocols dictated by the standard, and a sampling method is employed by the certification body for evaluation

and surveillance audits, in line with sampling requirements in the standard.

Group Administrator: the entity representing the forest or manufacturing sites that constitute a group for the


http://www.fsc-info.org/

purpose of LegalHarvest Verification. The group administrator applies for group verification and holds the group

verification statement. The group administrator is responsible to the certification body for ensuring that the

requirements of the applicable SCS LegalHarvest Verification Standard are met in all participating sites in the

group. The group administrator may be an individual (e.g. a ‘resource manager’), a cooperative body, an owner

association, or other similar legal entity.

Group Member: a site manager or owner who participates in a group scheme for the purpose of SCS

LegalHarvest forest or chain of custody verification. Group members are responsible for implementing any

requirements of group membership. Group members do not hold individual LegalHarvest verification

statements, but as long as they comply with all the requirements of group membership, their forest or

manufacturing properties are covered by the verification statement issued to the group entity.

Lacey Act: The United States of America’s oldest environmental statute, enacted in 1900. Amendments adopted

in 2008 prohibit trade in plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold. Thus, the act

underscores other federal, state and foreign laws protecting wildlife by making it a separate offense to take,

possess, transport or sell wildlife that has been taken in violation of those laws.

Legal Harvest: Operations in which a forest management entity has the legal right to harvest within a defined

forest management unit. The legal right will include operations under a valid permit, license or similar

instrument issued pursuant to and in full conformance with the laws and regulations governing the harvesting

of forest resources. Legal Harvest can be considered equivalent to Legal Origin.1

Multi-site: An organization that has an identified central office and a network of at least two participating sites

included in the scope of the audit. Multi-site clients may apply for CoC or forest legality assessment, but under

both standards must have an internal audit system if sets of sites are to be identified and sampled. Products

from sets of sites covered by a multi-site verification statement must be substantially of the same kind, and

must be produced, or processed using fundamentally similar processes and procedures, or managed according

to fundamentally similar goals.

Program participant: An entity that has been audited, approved, and provided with a unique verification code

according to this Standard.

SBB: Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control; the Forest Authority in Suriname on behalf of

the Government of Suriname mandated by Ministerial decree

SCS Stepwise: A time-bound tiered approach to forest certification whereby a company receives recognition for

compliance to progressively higher standards for forest management. The SCS Program ultimately leads to

attainment of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-endorsed forest management (FM) certification.

Supply Chain: An identified set of organizations that participate in the sale, delivery and production of a

1 Similar definition to Verified Legal Origin from the SmartWood Generic Standard for Verification of Legal Origin (November 15, 2007)


product. In the case of timber products, a complete chain may include the forest, harvester/logger, broker, mill,

exporter/importer, secondary manufacturer, distributor and retailer.

Timber product: Materials derived from trees/wood, which includes wood-based components of products.

Tracking system/traceability: A fully integrated and documented procedure for identifying and accounting for

verified products that are purchased, processed, stored, sold and shipped.

Verified Material: Timber tracked through an unbroken chain where the forest and each supply chain

participant has a valid LegalHarvest Verification Statement in place.


5 Principles and Criteria for the Assessment of Forests

Indicator Verifiers Regulatory Agency

Reference to Legislation

Principle 1: The Forest Management Entity (FME) shall be a legitimate organization and is authorized to conduct business in accordance with legal requirements of the country and locality where it operates.

C1.1 The FME shall be registered with all relevant government authorities.

1.1.1 The FME shall be formally registered as a business and shall provide properly authorized documentation showing that the FME legally exists and meets national legal requirements.

SBB Register KKF Register

Foundation for Forest Management & Production Control (SBB)

Chamber of Commerce in Suriname

The FME must be registered at the Chamber of Commerce (KKF) as a formal company

Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);Article 46 of the Forest Law: Every entity holding the rights to transport or commercialize forest products must be registered with the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB)

1.1.2 The FME shall have a tax registration number and/or form if required.

SBB records (registration numbers)

SBB receipts for payment of retribution and area fee

Approved transportation bills

SSB system displays number when payment of royalties is done

Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB)

Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 32 section 1 under a and b For the transportation of timber or logs outside of the concession the concession holder must pay; yearly concession area fee per hectare and royalties per m3 harvested in the concession

C1.2 The FME shall operate as a legitimate forest management organization in accordance with local government requirements.

1.2.1 The FME shall have a tax registration number and/or form if required.

The letter granting concession rights must be registered within one month in the public register of the “real estate register”.

Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB) mandated by the Min of Spatial planning and Forestry

Forest Act (SB1992 no 80); Article 25, section 1 under b: concession rights are validated through the registration of concession granting ministerial letter in register H specifically


created by power of the Mining Registration Bill.

1.2.2 The FME shall have a documented history of legal compliance and is not associated with criminal activities related to the management, transportation, export or sale of timber products.The FME’s activities shall not have been suspended as a result of administrative or judiciary action by the government of the country in which it operates.

A stakeholder consultation is needed to verify this criterion during the audit, consulting to the local forestry service is necessary and should be informed to the client prior to the audit. Auditors may also conduct an online search of the FME to find out any relevant criminal activities and interview key staff.


The FME shall have a documented history of legal compliance and is not associated with criminal activities related to the management, transportation, export or sale of timber products

1.2.3 Any current legal challenges by any recognized legal authority as to the forestry operations of the FME shall have been resolved or shall be in the process of being resolved through a binding resolution process.

A stakeholder consultation is needed to verify this criterion during the audit, consulting to the local forestry service is necessary and should be informed to the client prior to the audit. Auditors may also conduct an online search of the FME to find out any relevant criminal activities and interview key staff. Examination of FME’s

files at SBB


The FME shall have a documented history of legal compliance and is not associated with criminal activities related to the management, transportation, export or sale of timber products

1.2.4 Any current legal challenges by any recognized legal authority as to the forestry operations of the FME shall have been resolved or shall be in the process of being resolved through a binding resolution process.

A stakeholder consultation is needed to verify this criterion during the audit, consulting to the local forestry service is necessary and should be informed to the client prior to the audit. Auditors may also conduct an online search of the FME to find out any relevant criminal activities and interview key staff.


Ministry of Regional Development & District commissariats of the district in which the concession is

Idem as generic standards: The FME should provide proof of resolution in case of conflict.


granted.

C1.3 Subsidiary entities, companies, contractors and subcontractors involved in the harvesting and transportation of timber on behalf of the FME shall be registered according to national/local legislation and regulations and have a valid license to operate.

1.3.1 The FME shall provide authorized documentation showing that all contracting bodies legally exist and meet the legal requirements to undertake harvesting activities.

The contracting bodies shall possess the following documents:Registration at the chamber of commerce and Self-Assessment Tax Registration of the Tax Department at the Ministry of Finance

Chamber of Commerce registration number

Tax Department of the Ministry of Finance

All commercial businesses should be legally registered at the chamber of commerce.

Income tax Law of 1992 ultimately adapted in 2003; article 1b

Principle 2: The FME shall have the necessary authorizations to conduct forest harvesting-related activities at all locations under operation.

C2.1 The FME shall have legal access and harvesting rights to the forest management unit according to national legislation and regulations.

2.1.1 The FME shall provide a map (or maps) of the forest management area at a scale to permit identification of proposed harvest areas; relevant information such as ownership, customary rights and legal restrictions shall be clearly indicated.

Positive advice or no objection letter from the Ministry of Regional Development

Ministerial letter grating concession rights signed by the Minister of spatial planning and Forestry.


Ministry of Regional Development

Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 14; Guidelines and conditions of the ministerial letter: the FME shall construct an access road to the concession area within one year of the issuance of the concession rights

Forest Act (SB1992 no 80) article 14; Guidelines and conditions of concession are stated in the Ministerial letter granting concession rights.

2.1.2 The FME shall have a legal title or documented authorization from the resource owner (including persons with customary resources rights where legally recognized) to the lands on which it operates and to the

A Ministerial letter granting concession rights signed by the Minister of Spatial planning and Forestry in which the duration, location, the size and the conditions of the permit are stated

Documented authorization must be presented and verified


Forest Act (S.B.1992 no. 80);article 21 ad 1 and 27 granting forest concessions the FME shall provide proof of legal title through: A Ministerial letter granting concession rights signed by the Minister of Spatial planning and Forestry in which the duration, location, the size and the


timber resource. through stakeholder consultation in cases of community harvesting permits (“houtkapvergunning”).

conditions of the permit are stated

2.1.3 The FME shall hold a legal harvesting document (permit or license) issued in concurrence with the laws and regulations governing forest management and harvesting of forest resources.

Check the following documents and the relevancy with each other documents relate to timber harvesting:For natural forest management andPlantations: Harvesting permit issued by SBB


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 14:Harvesting permit is issued by SBB as stated under the conditions of the concession in Ministerial letter from the Minister of Spatial planning and Forestry endorsed by SBB

2.1.4 If the country in which the FME operates is a signatory to TheConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES),permission to harvest a CITES-listed species shall be documented

Please ensure the following documents are in place if the FME is harvesting species listed in CITES: List of CITES listed

species (see http://www.cites.org)

A letter of approval from the minister of Spatial planning and forestry for harvesting of protected species

An assessment analysis by a research institution that the FMU is harvesting species listed in CITES


CELOS (Centre for Agricultural Research in Suriname)

Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 8 Category A marketable species and CITES list species: Virola surinamensis,(Dalli), (Brownheart); Cedrella odorata (Cedar)


C2.2 The FME shall demonstrate that its approvals (e.g., permits, licenses and transportation/export documents) for forestry and other related operations were properly obtained, contain accurate information, and are maintained and up to date.

2.2.1 The FME shall document the process and procedures involved in obtaining forest harvesting approvals.

Written procedures and conditions set by SBB upon harvesting approval

Staff interviews


The FME shall document the process and procedures involved in obtaining forest harvesting approvals.

2.2.2 Documents submitted for approval shall be factually correct – documents for approval shall not present conflicting information.

Written procedures and conditions set by SBB upon harvesting approval

Staff interviews


Documents submitted for approval shall be factually correct – documents for approval shall not present conflicting information.Forest Act (SB1992 no 80) article 50 and 52 ad1 c; Obligations and punishment.In case of non-compliance to regulations or guidelines under the Forest Act

2.2.3 The FME shall keep records of all its approvals for a minimum of 5 years.

Dated approvals or records of approvals.


Records must be maintained as in 2.2.3 to meet LHV requirements even though the law does not require a record-keeping system.

Principle 3: The FME shall maintain forest harvesting rights by paying associated taxes, royalties or fees relevant to the harvest of timber and the management of the forest resource.

C3.1 All applicable and required taxes, fees, royalties, or other charges shall be paid within the prescribed time period.

3.1.1 Written acknowledgement of receipt of royalties, fees, or dues by beneficiaries shall exist.

Tagged logs (SBB tags/labels on logs)


Paid retribution royalties for logs

No penalties registered for late payment at Forest authority


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 32 section 1 under a and b For the transportation of timber or logs outside of the concession the concession holder must pay; yearly concession area fee per hectare and royalties per m3 harvested in the concession

3.1.2 Documents relating to payments of fees

Please check the following documents and ensure FME has paid all their

Foundation for Forest Management and

Forest Act (SB 1992 no 80) article 32 section 1 under a and b For the


and taxes from relevant agencies and the FME shall be in agreement.

obligations related with fees and taxes: Annual area fee for

total area of concession Retribution for

transported logs

Production Control (SBB)

transportation of timber or logs outside of the concession the concession holder must pay; yearly concession area fee per hectare and royalties per m3 harvested in the concession Idem

3.1.3 Records of revenue from all timber harvests shall be kept accurate

Document review with staff or workers, at any stage where revenue is collected.

Records of revenue from all timber harvests shall be kept accurate and made available to the audit team.

Principle 4: The entity shall maintain up-to-date records on timber products distributed and/or sold with an LHV claim.

C4.1 The entity shall maintain a general description of the product and of each wood-based component contained within it.

4.1.1 The FME shall hold a current management plan approved by the relevant authorities.

Approval by SBB of management plan in writing


Approval by SBB of management plan in writing; modus operandi of SBB per Forest Act.

4.1.2 The FME shall hold a current annual operating or harvesting plan approved by the relevant authorities.

Ministerial letter with guidelines and conditions for each concession

Approved harvesting plan and inventory reports


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80); Article 14: Guidelines and conditions in the Ministerial letter: The FME shall acquire approval for their exploitation plan including base map of the concession unit at a scale of 1:100.

Conditions of the concession: The annual harvesting plan shall be submitted to the General Director of the SBB offered, and should include the following:

a. The distribution of exploiting annual harvesting area in harvesting parcels on a base map with a scale of at least 1:40,000.b.100% inventory of the


annual harvest area of at least 3 months production.c. A projection of the planned drainage, main skidding roads, log-yards,d. An overview of the personnel to be employed and equipment per harvesting parcel.

4.1.3 Permitted annual allowable cut or production quotas shall be clearly documented in the relevant plan. The FME shall be able to demonstrate that actual harvested volumes are within legal limits.

100 % Inventory and cutting register must be approved by SBB before harvesting

Written proof in letter of Approval of Harvesting plans


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);Article 14: Guidelines and conditions in the Ministerial letter:100 % Inventory and cutting register must be approved by SBB before harvesting

Written proof in letter of Approval of Harvesting plans

4.1.4 The FME shall have carried out forest inventories.

100 % Inventory and cutting register must be approved by SBB before harvesting


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);Article 14: Guidelines and conditions in the Ministerial letter: Every entity shall be required to execute a 100% forest inventory

4.1.5 Harvest and management boundaries within the FMU shall be clearly marked both in the field and on maps in accordance with relevant local or national laws.

Please check the following document and need a field check: Maps developed by

state surveyor. Verification of

boundaries using GPS. If the map is prepared

by a state surveyor, the government simply accepts it. No approval required.


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 14 :Stated in the guidelines and conditions of the ministerial letter:

Within three months of granting of concession rights, a surveyor must initiate the demarcation of the boundaries of the concession in accordance with guidelines/procedures of the state surveyor which should be completed within 3 years.

The boundaries of the concession which are closest to parcels which


will be immediately exploited shall be demarcated in the field within 6 months.

4.1.6 The FME shall be able to demonstrate, both on maps and in the field, that all harvesting activities are implemented in accordance (spatially and temporally) with plans, permits and regulatory requirements.

Clear marking of felling block location in the map, and proven in the field. Ensure that there are some features displayed in the felling block such as restricted harvested areas for protection, harvested tree species are according to their permit based on regulatory and customary rights agreement, all heavy machinery is legally registered etc. GPS to verify location coordinates


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 14 :Guidelines and conditions of the ministerial letter: Harvesting is permitted after approval of the harvesting plan based on the 100% inventory of commercial species with a minimal diameter of 35 cm at chest height which refers to the exploitation plan of the FME

C4.2 The FME shall demonstrate compliance with national and local laws and legally binding codes of practice relating to harvesting operations.

4.2.1 The FME shall adhere to the terms of timber sale contracts or agreements - unless written evidence demonstrates all relevant parties agree to revisions.

Review of active or completed timber sale contracts or agreements.

The FME shall adhere to terms of contract or agreement

4.2.2 The FME shall comply with all legally required specifications on harvesting restrictions such as those on timing, weather, equipment, harvest layout, harvest close-out.

Review listed harvesting restrictions (in work plan & maps or harvest plan or other related documents0 and verify compliance in the field. Letter of approval of SBB.


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80); ); article 14 section 1c: Guidelines and conditions of the concession stated in ministerial letter: Once a harvesting parcel is logged out the concessionaire shall within two weeks of completion inform the General Director of SBB. After inspection by SBB the FME might be required to re-enter the area for corrections. Upon closure of the parcel the concessionaire receives


a declaration of closure, after which harvesting activities are no longer permitted unless specific permission is granted by the Director of SBB;

Forest act (SB1992 no 80); Article 8 of the Ministerial decision 17 February 2000 no 208 Execution of Article 14, Category C: List of Legally protected species: Manilkandra bidentata (Bulletwood), Copaiferea guianensis, Aniba mas, Aniba roseadora, (Rosewood), Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut), Dipteryx odorata, D. punctata.

4.2.3 When legally required, all necessary notifications shall be made prior to the start of harvesting, and done so according to required timeframes.

Not legally required

4.2.4 Harvesting shall be conducted within the authorized boundaries and shall not occur in designated parks, forest reserves, or any other officially protected areas or logging exclusion zones.

The FME demarcates on maps and in the field the areas which they entitled as temporary restricted

Protected areas should be demarcated on maps

Buffer zones for creeks, gullies, rivers and hills


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);Article 16 section 5: specially protected forest, Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 41 Community forest and Forest Act article 8: temporary restricted forests or Forests that fall under the considerations of Article 1 sub g of the Forest Act are excluded from the concession rights


C4.3 The FME shall provide evidence of compliance with any required laws regulating the environmental or social impacts of timber harvesting.

4.3.1 The FME shall complete environmental impact assessments and, if legally required, implement the findings in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Ministerial letter Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB)

Not legally required unless specifically mentioned in the Ministerial letter.

4.3.2 The FME shall complete social impact assessments and, if legally required, implement the findings in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Ministerial letter Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB)

Not legally required unless specifically mentioned in the Ministerial letter.

C4.4 Harvesting of specific species or trees shall be conducted in compliance with national or local regulations, as well as international conventions of which the host country is a signatory.

4.4.1 Dimensions of harvested timber shall conform to the relevant license or permit and harvesting regulations.

Ministerial letter Letter of approval by

SBB of harvesting parcel with harvesting conditions mentioned


Forest Act (SB1992 no 80);article 14 ad 1c the Minister determines the minimal diameter of commercial species

Article 3 of the Ministerial decision 17 February 2000,no 208 article 3;The minimum diameter determined is 35 cm at chest height

4.4.2 The FME shall harvest only legally permitted species.

Approved Harvesting plans


Sales records Wood samples/ tests


Forest act (SB1992 no 80);Article 8 of the Ministerial decision 17 February 2000 no 208 Execution of Article 14, Category C: List of Legally protected species: Manilkandra bidentata (Bulletwood), Copaiferea guianensis,Aniba mas, Aniba roseadora, (Rosewood), Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut), Dipterix odorata D


punctata,

4.4.3 The FME shall comply with legal restrictions on other tree-specific characteristics, such as trees necessary for wildlife habitat.

No legal restrictions on tree specific characteristics or necessary for wildlife habitat

4.4.4 The FME shall comply with all timber utilization regulations where they exist.

No timber utilization regulations

C4.5: The FME shall employ an identification system for trees, stumps and logs and comply with all applicable timber transport and export regulations.

4.5.1 The FMU shall have in place an identification system for trees, stumps and logs that permits traceability both pre and post-harvest, from the cutting site to the forest gate.

Interviews with staff Document review of

policies and procedures related to traceability or chain of custody

Field visits to verify identification system is functional.

Traceability test could be done from stump to forest gate or the other way around by taking a sampling number of logs (physically) and traced it through a paper trail

For some forest type such as plantation, back to stump traceability is not necessary and will have to determine the traceability back to the smallest harvesting unit such as compartment;For natural forest management, the traceability system should include:1: Tags are properly obtained, a record of their use is kept and unused tags are returned by the date specified by SBB;


The company is not legally required to have a log tracking system. SBB maintains a national log-tracking system.No documents required for transportation within the concession.Transportation bill required from transportation from forest gate to the saw mill and from sawmill to sea-port for export.


2: Logs and stumps are tagged according to the national log-tracking system;3: Transportation of logs and lumber outside the concession boundary is accompanied by appropriate and accurate removal permits;4: All logs and lumber in transit can be traced back to source stump.

4.5.2 The FME shall provide evidence of all required transport documents from the cutting site to the forest gate, and if applicable, from forest gate to mill. Log transport documents shall be authorized by the required official.

SBB transportation bill on official form approved and stamped by SBB official

The FME shall provide evidence of all required transport documents from the cutting site to the forest gate, and if applicable, from forest gate to mill. Log transport documents shall be authorized by the required official.

4.5.3 Invoices and transport documents (load tickets, etc.) shall include an LHV claim and the unique LHV statement number of the verified forest.

Ensure the wood species is under the LHV scope/product category

Ensure the all transport and invoices documents have written a LHV certificate code & number

Ensure the certificate is valid

Invoices and transport documents (load tickets, etc.) shall include an LHV claim and the unique LHV statement number of the verified forest (see Appendix 1).


Appendix 1:

Communication of SCS Legality Claims and Off-Product Promotion

Verification under the SCS LegalHarvestTM Verification Standard allows the approved organization to make off-

product legality claims according to this Appendix. On-product claims or labeling in reference to Legal Harvest

or Legal Origin is strictly prohibited except for the use of a participant’s unique verification code to link a

product or invoice to a participant’s verified products. The following provides the terms of use.

A. General promotion of LegalHarvestTM Verification Program

Promotional claims in advertisements, brochures, media releases, websites and other general promotional

outlets regarding the entity’s participation in the SCS LegalHarvest Program shall:

a. Not mislead the public that the program provides any guarantees of legality. Instead it can be conveyed that participation demonstrates a systematic approach towards significantly lowering the risk of trading in illegally harvested timber products.

b. Always include the entity’s unique verification code, which will be provided by SCS upon acceptance into the program.

c. Adhere to the SCS Licensing Agreement when making any claim associated with the SCS name or trademarks.

d. Receive prior approval from SCS before printing or posting promotional material with SCS trademarked (SCS and LegalHarvest) names and logos by submitting a proof or example of the claim or statement to SCS and maintaining a record of the approval.

B. On-product, transport and invoice use of verification codes.

a. SCS verification codes shall read: SCS-LHV-XXXX where:

i. “LHV” signifies that the product has come from a verified forest and through an unbroken verified supply chain under the SCS LegalHarvest Verification Standard; and

ii. “XXXX” signifies a unique, four-digit code supplied by SCS to the LHV program participant.

b. Verified products that are part of the entity’s chain of custody segregation system under this program may be marked with its unique verification code.

c. Invoices and shipping documents that include verified products that are part of the entity’s tracking system under this program shall contain its unique verification code and ensure it is linked to the line item description on the document.
