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Agreement Document symbol Notifying Member Year Harmonized types of environment-related objectives Harmonized types of measures Harmonized types of sectors subject to the measure Measure description See more information
Import Licensing Procedures G/LIC/N/3/EU/4 European Union 2015
MEAs implementation and compliance, Plant…
MEAs implementation and compliance, Plant protection, Sustainable forestry management
 Import licences Forestry
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1024/2008 of 17…
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1024/2008 of 17 October 2008 laying down detailed measures for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community (O.J. L 277, 18.10.2008)
Under the FLEGT licensing scheme the EU has concluded FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with a number of countries. Timber products (defined in the Agreements by HS codes) exported from FLEGT partner countries to the EU are covered by a FLEGT licence issued by the licensing authority of that country. The FLEGT license demonstrates that the timber products have complied with relevant legislation as set out in the corresponding bilateral FLEGT VPAs. Once operational the implementation of the licensing scheme requires that imports of relevant timber products into the EU be made subject to a system of checks and controls so that only FLEGT licensed timber will be imported to the EU.

3. The FLEGT licensing scheme applies only to imports from partner countries with which the EU has concluded FLEGT VPAs. These agreements place a legally binding obligation on the EU and on the partner country to implement the licensing scheme as set out in each VPA. The EU has concluded FLEGT VPAs with: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Liberia, Indonesia, Republic of Congo. As of June 2015 the scheme was not yet operational - the agreements provide for a period after conclusion in which the necessary procedures and measures can be put in place.
Environment related objective
To implement FLEGT agreements and ensure the legality of harvested timber trade.

The licensing system has been put in place so that countries exporting to the EU can demonstrate that their exports of timber products to the EU are from legal sources. The scheme does not impose any restrictions neither in terms of quantity nor in terms of volumes to the imported goods. While the CITES Convention regulates trade in endangered species, including certain timber species , it does not cover the bulk of the timber trade. In the light of public concerns about imports of illegally harvested timber and the negative impact on perceptions of the timber sector a bilateral approach to address the issue together with interested countries, accompanied by capacity building measures, was considered appropriate. An alternative approach could have been to rely on voluntary certification schemes, however this would not provide the economies of scale or impact of a national approach and may not have adequately taken into account the role of government in verifying and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. The EU also adopted a horizontal approach to the issue of illegal logging through adoption of Regulation 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market (O.J. L OJ L 295, 12.11.2010) . This Regulation is consistent with the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements in that it recognises FLEGT licences (and CITES permits) as a means to demonstrate compliance with the Regulation.
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Commission Regulation (EC) No 1024/2008 of 17 October 2008 laying down detailed measures for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community (O.J. L 277, 18.10.2008)
Under the FLEGT licensing scheme the EU has concluded FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with a number of countries. Timber products (defined in the Agreements by HS codes) exported from FLEGT partner countries to the EU are covered by a FLEGT licence issued by the licensing authority of that country. The FLEGT license demonstrates that the timber products have complied with relevant legislation as set out in the corresponding bilateral FLEGT VPAs. Once operational the implementation of the licensing scheme requires that imports of relevant timber products into the EU be made subject to a system of checks and controls so that only FLEGT licensed timber will be imported to the EU.

3. The FLEGT licensing scheme applies only to imports from partner countries with which the EU has concluded FLEGT VPAs. These agreements place a legally binding obligation on the EU and on the partner country to implement the licensing scheme as set out in each VPA. The EU has concluded FLEGT VPAs with: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ghana, Liberia, Indonesia, Republic of Congo. As of June 2015 the scheme was not yet operational - the agreements provide for a period after conclusion in which the necessary procedures and measures can be put in place.
HARVESTED TIMBER
Type of measure
Import licences
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Endangered
MEAs
Wildlife
Import Licensing Procedures G/LIC/N/3/EU/4 European Union 2015
Animal protection, MEAs implementation and…
Animal protection, MEAs implementation and compliance, Plant protection
 Import licences Agriculture, Other
Regulation (EU) No 2015/736 of 7 May 2015…
Regulation (EU) No 2015/736 of 7 May 2015 prohibiting the introduction into the Union of specimens of certain species of wild fauna and flora
Environment related objective
To protect the environment by implementing CITES and protecting Wildlife
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Regulation (EU) No 2015/736 of 7 May 2015 prohibiting the introduction into the Union of specimens of certain species of wild fauna and flora
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Type of measure
Import licences
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Endangered
MEAs
Wildlife
General Agreement on Trade in Services S/C/N/840 European Union 2015
Environmental goods and services promotion, Waste…
Environmental goods and services promotion, Waste management and recycling, Water management and conservation
 Other measures Services
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service…
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Waste Water Services from LDCs
Environment related objective
To promote environmental services by granting Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Waste water services
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Waste Water Services from LDCs
Environmental Services: Waste water services
Type of measure
Preferential market access
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Waste
Water
General Agreement on Trade in Services S/C/N/840 European Union 2015
Chemical, toxic and hazardous substances…
Chemical, toxic and hazardous substances management, Environmental goods and services promotion, Waste management and recycling
 Other measures Services
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service…
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Solid/ hazardous waste management from LDCs, excluding cross-border transport of hazardous waste
Environment related objective
To promote environmental services by granting Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Solid/ hazardous waste management
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Solid/ hazardous waste management from LDCs, excluding cross-border transport of hazardous waste
Environmental Services: Solid/ hazardous waste management, including: a) Refuse Disposal Services; and b) Sanitation and Similar Services
Type of measure
Preferential market access
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Waste
General Agreement on Trade in Services S/C/N/840 European Union 2015
Air pollution reduction, Climate change…
Air pollution reduction, Climate change mitigation and adaptation, Environmental goods and services promotion
 Other measures Services
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service…
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Protection of ambient air and climate from LDCs
Environment related objective
To promote environmental services by granting Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Protection of ambient air and climate
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Protection of ambient air and climate from LDCs
Environmental Services: Protection of ambient air and climate
Type of measure
Preferential market access
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Climate
Emissions
General Agreement on Trade in Services S/C/N/840 European Union 2015
Environmental goods and services promotion, Other…
Environmental goods and services promotion, Other environmental risks mitigation, Soil management and conservation, Water management and conservation
 Other measures Services
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service…
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Remediation and clean up of soil and waters from LDCs
Environment related objective
To promote environmental services by granting Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Remediation and clean up of soil and waters
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Remediation and clean up of soil and waters from LDCs
Environmental Services: Remediation and clean up of soil and waters
Type of measure
Preferential market access
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Pollution
Water
General Agreement on Trade in Services S/C/N/840 European Union 2015
Environmental goods and services promotion, Other…
Environmental goods and services promotion, Other environmental risks mitigation
 Other measures Services
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service…
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Noise and vibration abatement (Noise abatement services) from LDCs
Environment related objective
To promote environmental services by granting Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Noise and vibration abatement (Noise abatement services)
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Noise and vibration abatement (Noise abatement services) from LDCs
Environmental Services: Noise and vibration abatement (Noise abatement services)
Type of measure
Preferential market access
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Environment
General Agreement on Trade in Services S/C/N/840 European Union 2015
Biodiversity and ecosystem, Environmental goods…
Biodiversity and ecosystem, Environmental goods and services promotion, Natural resources conservation
 Other measures Services
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service…
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Protection of biodiversity and landscape from LDCs
Environment related objective
To promote environmental services by granting Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Nature and landscape protection services
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Protection of biodiversity and landscape from LDCs
Environmental Services: Nature and landscape protection services
Type of measure
Preferential market access
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Bio
General Agreement on Trade in Services S/C/N/840 European Union 2015
Environmental goods and services promotion,…
Environmental goods and services promotion, General environmental protection, Other environmental risks mitigation
 Other measures Services
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service…
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Other environmental & ancillary services from LDCs
Environment related objective
To promote environmental services by granting Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Other environmental & ancillary services
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers in Other environmental & ancillary services from LDCs
Other environmental & ancillary services
Type of measure
Preferential market access
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Environment
General Agreement on Trade in Services S/C/N/840 European Union 2015
General environmental protection, Other…
General environmental protection, Other environmental risks mitigation
 Technical regulation or specifications Services
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service…
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers from LDCs
3. The list below does not include measures relating to qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards and licensing requirements and procedures when they do not constitute a market access or a national treatment limitation. Those measures (e.g. need to obtain a license, universal service obligations, need to obtain recognition of qualifications in regulated sectors, need to pass specific examinations, including language examinations, non-discriminatory requirement that certain activities may not be carried out in environmental protected zones or areas of particular historic and artistic interest), even if not listed, apply in any case to investors of the LDC Members.
Environment related objective
To protect the environment by reserving regulatory rights by stipulating that certain activities may not be carried out in environmental protected zones or areas of particular historic and artistic interest
Measure description Coverage of the measure
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers from LDCs
3. The list below does not include measures relating to qualification requirements and procedures, technical standards and licensing requirements and procedures when they do not constitute a market access or a national treatment limitation. Those measures (e.g. need to obtain a license, universal service obligations, need to obtain recognition of qualifications in regulated sectors, need to pass specific examinations, including language examinations, non-discriminatory requirement that certain activities may not be carried out in environmental protected zones or areas of particular historic and artistic interest), even if not listed, apply in any case to investors of the LDC Members.
Services
Type of measure
Reservation
 ICS - HS Code
Subsidy amount Implementation period
Keywords
Environment