OffalyCountyCouncil purchasing procedure requires contractors to supply legal timber as a condition of contract. Minimum timber and wood requirements do not specify criteria for sustainable forest management but bidders have the option of offering “sustainable timber” as a variant specification. The Council will give preference to bids that include “sustainable” timber provided they offer value for money and provided thatwood that is used for construction in its projects is legal and sustainable in accordance with European Union regulations regarding public procurement.
Contractors must avoid sourcing illegally logged timber in accordance with the EU illegal logging action plan known as Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT).
Endangered species on the C.I.T.I.E.S should not be used.
Contractors are required to demonstrate their compliance with OCC’s timber sustainability requirements. Such compliance should be demonstrated by credible evidence of verification that shows that the timber is both legal and sustainable.
There are a number of existing commercial certification systems that are acceptable, namely CSA, FSC, PEFC and SFI. However, OCC recognises that other sources and forms of proof and verification that timber is legal and sustainable may be submitted to demonstrate compliance with its legal and sustainability requirements. Such sources or forms of verification should take the form of “verification of source” under the terms of the European Union procurement policies; an appropriate chain of custody standard; the requirements for the protection of endangered species; and independent assurances of sustainable forestry practices.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS & ACRONYMS
OCC Offaly County Council
FLEGT Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade
C.I.T.I.E.S. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
CSA Community Supported Agriculture
FSC Forest Stewardship Council
PEFC Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
SFI Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Adopted by Offaly County Council at its May 2009 monthly meeting.