Government Encourages Timber Legality System to Penetrate EU Market)

Semarang, C Java, ANTARA JATENG - The Indonesian government encourages businesses to immediately take care of timber legality verification system (SVLK) to penetrate the European Union market.

"Timber and wood products cannot be legally guaranteed; so the only way we can get into the EU market is to ensure the legality of timber and wood products itself," Advisor to the Minister for Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Laksmi Dewanti, said here on Wednesday.

She stated that the SVLK has been applied in Indonesia since 2009. The system indicates that Indonesia already has a V-Legal or documents stating that the exported wood products meet the standards of export timber legality in accordance with the law.

Earlier, the government had attempted to make the V-Legal documents into a document that can be automatically accepted as a license.

"With that document, the wood products can enter the EU market without due diligence," she noted.

In addition to facilitating the entry of Indonesian wood products to the European market, the document will ensure the sustainability of the products.

Laksmi remarked that the document is a proof that the forests are sustainably managed and the raw materials too.

"Legality, sustainability, and quality will increase the markets confidence to accept Indonesia`s timber and wood products," she added.