Vriksh
Timber Legality Standard (India)
About Vriksh (EPCH)
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has developed "VRIKSH" timber legality assessment and verification standard often simply called as VRIKSH. Vriksh standard was developed with focus for applying system for traceability and verification of legality and legal origin of wood and wooden products. The transformation of timber from the standing tree to a final product will often involve several types of organizations who take legal ownership of a product through a supply chain
Vriksh certification is for
Each legal owner who makes a "VRIKSH" business to business legality claims about their product shall be assessed by EPCH and /or its authorized certification body on their conformance to the principles of Vriksh standard. Forest / Harvest site Manager, Harvester /Logger, Consolidator / Concentration yard, Primary manufacturer timber supply chain, Secondary Manufacturer, Broker/ Importer / Exporter can be get certified with Vriksh
Procedure for obtaining CITES Shipment Certificate through Vriksh
(for Dalbergia spp. as per CITES App. II)
Vriksh certification is the pre-condition for obtaining the shipment certificate for exporting handicraft products made with Dalbergia sps. Having Vriksh certificate, you shall need to apply for the shipment certificate, as this is issued per shipment/per invoice. The Vriksh shipment certificate is valid for a period of 6 months from the date of issue
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. CITES aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
At 17th Conference of the Parties (COP) to held at Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016, it was proposed to include genus Dalbergia in CITES Appendix II to ensure that the legal trade does not become a direct cause of the extinction of these threatened species. From the 2nd January 2017, this regulation has been effective.
Dalbergia sissoo (Sheeshum) and Dalbergia latifolia (rose wood) are abundantly grown in India and are often classified as restricted species for harvest and trade. Dalbergia sissoo is one of the major species used by the Indian handicraft exporters and Dalbergia latifolia is widely exported as Guitar parts worldwide.
India has entered in to reservation with reference to the inclusion of Dalbergia species in Appendix II of the Convention. India has declared that Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is the competent authority of the Republic of India to issue comparable certificates for handicraft products made from Dalbergia sissoo and Dalbergia latifolia only.
CITES and EPCH – VRIKSH
EPCH is the designated nodal authority in India for issuing CITES comparable document of Vriksh certificate to export the handicraft products made from Dalbergia sissoo and Dalbergia latifolia only.
For products made with CITES listed species (including handicrafts made from Dalbergia sps), click here to know about the the management authorities competent to grant permits for exports.
CITES and Exports of Handicrafts from India
(made with Dalbergia spp. )
Our Service offers for Vriksh Certification and consignment exports:
With a team of highly experienced consultants and trainers, Deccan Consulting’ assists in:
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Implementing and achieving Vriksh certification and consignment export clearences (for products listed in CITES).
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Educating you on what you need for meeting the requirements
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Developing management plans and systems (upgrading the existing documentation), thereby enabling you to solve any potential issues
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Avoiding costly mistakes and unnecessary delays
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Sail through your audit with confidence and ease
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Will only recommend for audit when you feel ready and will remain on-call throughout your audit
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Getting done through audit process, award of certification, interim assistance/maintaining the compliance and certification for annual checks
Deccan Consulting' offers services in enhancing the systems and capabilities for optimising performance and productivity, comply with the requirements for polices, standards, assessments and certifications. Get in touch with us to get more information about our consultancy services.