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Inclusion of Padouk, Afzelia, Khaya, Ipê and Cumaru on CITES provides additional assurance of sustainable sourcing.

What is CITES?

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement aimed at regulating international trade in endangered plant and animal species. The species protected by CITES are classified into different lists (Appendices I, II and III), depending on the degree of protection required. The list in which a species is included determines whether international trade is permitted and, if so, under what conditions.

New timber species on CITES Appendix II.

The timber species Afrormosia (Pericopsis spp.) has been listed in Appendix II of CITES since 1992. We can see that trade in this popular species has seen a positive evolution in recent years, thanks in part to this regulation regarding its sustainable and legal origin.

Consequently, during the CITES CoP19 in November 2022, it was decided to additionally include the African populations of Doussie (Afzelia spp.), Khaya Mahogany (Khaya spp.) and Padouk (Pterocarpus spp.) in Appendix II, effective from 23/02/2023. [1]

From 23/11/2024, the South American wood species Ipê (Handroanthus spp., Roseodendron spp. and Tabebuia spp.) and Cumaru (Dipteryx spp.) will also be included in Appendix II. [1]

[1] These species are listed with annotation #17: only logs (HS code 44.03), sawn wood (HS code 44.06, HS code 44.07), veneer (HS code 44.08), laminated wood (HS code 44.12.13, HS code 44.12.14 and HS code 44.22) and worked wood (HS code 44.09) are protected.

What does inclusion in Appendix II of CITES mean?

Appendix II includes all the species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but whose trade should be regulated to avoid over-exploitation. In some cases, not all the species in the genus are endangered, and it is only a few species in specific growing areas that are problematic. In this case, CITES chooses to include the entire group so as to organise regulation and controls in a practical way.

Consequently, any import, export and re-export of species covered by Appendix II of CITES must be accompanied by the necessary permits. These permits are usually issued on the basis of export quotas per producing country. These export quotas are based on scientific studies in order to achieve legal, traceable and, above all, sustainable exploitation.

Conclusion

By including the aforementioned timber species in Appendix II, CITES is aiming to organise their trade in a sustainable manner, without losing sight of economic needs. This trade is often an important source of income for the local population and, at the same time, it is known within CITES that sustainable forest management – which includes a sustainable timber harvest – is the best guarantee for the survival of this forest.

It should be emphasised that the use of these types of wood gives you assurance as to the sustainable and legal origin of this wood – or in other words, its continued use is certainly responsible. These CITES species can also be obtained with internationally recognised sustainability certificates, such as FSC and PEFC. Working with certified wood can further highlight the sustainable origin of the wood.

More information?

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