Timber Risk Score: 100 / 100 in 2017. The Timber Legality Risk Assessment contains an evaluation of the risk of illegality in Belgium for five categories and 21 sub-categories of law. We found:
- Specified risk for 0 sub-categories.
- Low risk for 17 sub-categories.
- No legal requirements for 4 sub-categories.
This page provides an overview of the legality risks related to timber produced in Belgium.
22% (0.68 million ha) of Belgium is covered by forests, of which:
- 42% is naturally regenerated forest
- 58% is planted forest.
Roundwood production totalled 5.4 million m3 in 2015. The forestry sector contributed US$ 2.7 billion to the country’s economy in 2011, which was nearly 0.6% of the GDP.
NEPCon has evaluated Belgium as low risk for illegally harvested timber. Companies sourcing timber from Belgium should still take care to ensure that risks are not present in their supply chains.
This risk assessment was prepared between 2014-2018 according to the FSC-STD-40-005. The approved FSC Risk Assessment can be downloaded in the FSC Document Centre. ONLY Risk Assessments that have been formally reviewed and approved by FSC can be used by an FSC candidate or certified companies in risk assessments and will meet the FSC standards without further verification.
Score: 73 / 100 in 2021
Rank: 18 out of 180 countries in 2021
There are currently no armed conflicts in Belgium according to the Council on Foreign Relations' Global Conflict Tracker
According to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program there were 34 deaths from 2010-2017.
FSC Certified Forest Area: 27,934 hectares (4 December 2019).
PEFC Certified Forest Area: 302,835 hectares (31 December 2019).
Information gathering
- Find out the different sources of legal timber
- Determine which source type your timber comes from
Timber source types | Description of source type |
---|---|
Private plantations in Flanders in the Flemish Ecological Network larger than 5 ha |
Timber from a private plantation larger than 5 ha in the Flemish Ecological Network in Flanders. A forest management plan is required. No separate harvesting permit is needed if the forest exploitation is included in a management plan that is accepted by the forest administration. |
Private plantations in Flanders in the Flemish Ecological Network smaller than 5 ha |
Timber from a private plantation smaller than 5 ha in the Flemish Ecological Network in Flanders. Harvesting requires a management plan according to the criteria for sustainable forest management or a harvesting permit. No separate harvesting permit needed, if the harvest is included in a management plan that is accepted by the forest administration. |
Private plantations in Flanders outside the Flemish Ecological Network larger than 5 ha |
Timber from a private plantation larger than 5 ha outside the Flemish Ecological Network in Flanders. Harvest may be conducted under a management plan (optional, not mandatory), or a harvesting permit. |
Private plantations in Wallonia in the Natura 2000 network | Timber from a private plantation in Wallonia in the Natura 2000 network. A Natura 2000 management plan is required for harvest. |
Private plantations in Wallonia outside the Natura 2000 network | Timber from a private plantation in Wallonia outside the Natura 2000 network. Harvest requires authorisation from the land owner, but no management plan or harvesting permit is needed. |
Mixed forest in Flanders | Timber from public forests (forests owned by the Flemish Region, municipalities, provinces, etc.) in Flanders. An elaborate forest management plan, based on the criteria for sustainable forest management and/or the management vision for public forests is required for harvest. |
Mixed forest in Wallonia in the Natura 2000 network |
Timber from public forests ('forêts domaniales', forests owned by municipalities, provinces, ...) in the Natura 2000 network in Wallonia. Timber must be harvested in accordance with the 'Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon' of 19 May 2011, with a harvesting permit, and with the specific terms and conditions for harvesting operations ('Cahier des charges'). Natura 2000 management plan required for harvest. |
Mixed forest in Wallonia outside the Natura 2000 network |
Timber from public forests ('forêts domaniales', forests owned by municipalities, provinces, ...) contiguously larger than 20 hectares, outside the Natura 2000 network in Wallonia. The forests may be owned by the Belgian state, the Walloon Region, the provinces, municipalities or other public institutions, except military areas. The forests owned by public owners, except military areas, are managed by the forest and nature administration. Forest management plans and harvesting permits are required. |
Natural forest in Flanders |
Timber from publicly owned forest reserves and nature reserves (with forest cover) in Flanders. A management plan is needed for harvest. Note: In principle, harvesting in 'integral forest reserves' is excluded. |
Natural forest in Wallonia | Timber from publicly owned forest reserves and nature reserves (with forest cover) in Wallonia. Natura 2000 management plan required for harvest. |
Unspecified forest |
Timber from forests converted to non-forest land use (e.g. for housing or industry) Note: In principle, harvesting in 'integral forest reserves' is excluded. |
Risk assessment
Low risk of illegality. We found that any breaches of applicable laws are temporary, unusual, limited in their impact, and effectively controlled by the relevant authorities.
Risk mitigation
We have not identified any specified risks and therefore have not suggested any mitigation actions.