V-legal teak from Indonesia

Indonesia was the first Asian country to have a VPA with the EU

The EU Timber Regulation came into force on 3 March 2013. It prohibits operators in Europe from placing illegally harvested timber and products derived from illegal timber on the EU market. ‘Legal' timber is defined as timber produced in compliance with the laws of the country where it is harvested.

The EU FLEGT Facility supports the implementation of the EU FLEGT Action Plan with a focus on Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs). The Facility contributes to combating illegal logging and strengthening forest governance while encouraging sustainable economic development in countries that produce or process timber and export to the EU. 

On 15 November 2016 Indonesia began issuing FLEGT licences to verified legal timber products exported to the EU.

The vast majority of commercially harvested teak is grown on teak plantations found in Indonesia and controlled by Perum Perhutani (a state owned forest enterprise) that manages the country's forests.

SVLK certification and related documents (SVLK certificates and export licences called V-Legal Documents) constitute proof of legality for Indonesian timber products.

SVLK certification is not concerned with the sustainability of the timber harvested only its legality. If you are concerned about the sustainability of timber harvested then you should look for FSC certified timber.

Teak is not an indigenous species to Indonesia. Teak only grows in natural forests in India, Burma and Thailand. The Dutch planted Teak in Indonesia during Colonial rule to compete with the British who dominated the teak trade. These vast teak plantations now supply the majority of the world supply of teak.