Country Risk Profiles

Timber

Save your supply chain for quick access to risk data in the future. You will also receive notifications about changes in the risk profile of countries in your supply chain. You will need to create a supply chain for each country of origin that you source from.

Supply chain title

Country of harvest

Transit country (optional)

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3

Risk score

91

Specified risks related to 22 sub-categories

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Analyse Risque Légalité FRList of Applicable Legislation EN-FRGuide Actions Atténuation FRDocument Guide FR

About Gabon

Overview of forest resources in GabonGabon has around 23 million hectares of forest (FAO, 2020; African Development Bank, 2021), the majority of which are primary forests or naturally regenerated forests. These types of forest represent around 87% of the total surface area (Timber Trade Portal, 2021).Gabon does not have high deforestation rates, notably because of the country's low density of population. The deforestation rate is thought to b... VIEW MOREAround 85.4% (22,000,000 ha) of Gabon is covered by forests, of which: about 65% is primary forest about 35% is naturally regenerated forest a tiny proportion is plantations (about 30,000 ha). Half of the country’s forests are production forests. All forests are state-owned and are divided into the Permanent Forest Estate (PFE) and Rural Forest Domain. Timber is the second most important export (after oil); it goes mainly to China and the EU. Several legality risks are present in Gabon timber supply chains. The risks are wide ranging and appear across all categories of law. If you are sourcing timber from Gabon you should take care to ensure the extensive risks identified are not present in your supply chains, or have been sufficiently mitigated. VIEW LESS

Description of source types

Source types describe the possible origins of a commodity from within a country. Knowing the “source type” that timber originates from is useful because different source types can be subject to different applicable legislation and have attributes that affect the risk of non-compliance with the legislation.

Source Type

Description

Forest concessions (CPAET/CFAD)

strong>Provisional management, exploitation and processing agreement (CPAET)

CPAETs are allocated for a maximum of three years, in view of a CFAD being allocated in the future. It enables the concessionaire to carry out the operations necessary to be able to draw up the management plan and industrialisation plan within the area requested. Logging operations may take place during this period.

Forest concessions under sustainable management (CFAD)

A CFAD is a title allocated to any legal or natural person for logging operations within the permanent forest domain (excluding classified state forests). It is contingent upon the wood being managed and locally processed.

The surface area of a CFAD varies between 50,000 and 200,000 hectares. The total surface area of several CFADs allocated to a single person cannot exceed 600,000 hectares.

The concessions are managed by rotation (over 20 to 30 years).

Associated forestry permit (PFA)

A PFA is a permit reserved for Gabonese nationals only. It is issued for the purpose of logging operations within the permanent forest domain (excluding classified state forests).

A PFA may be integrated into a CFAD.

The surface area of a PFA cannot exceed 15,000 hectares when it is part of a CFAD, and 50,000 hectares when it is managed by the title holder.

Permit by private agreement (PGG)

This permit is issued for the purpose of local processing to Gabonese nationals only, within the rural forest domain. It allocates a maximum of 50 trees within an area previously defined by the Water and Forests Administration. This type of permit is personal to the holder, is non-transferable and is valid for twelve (12) months from the date on which it is signed.

Logging authorisation for pitsawing (ACBSL)

Logging authorisations for pitsawing cover a maximum of 15 trees. This type of permit is personal to the holder, is non-transferable and is valid for two (2) months from the date on which it is signed.

Special logging authorisation (ASC)

A special logging authorisation (ASC) is a special permit for a maximum of five trees, equivalent to fifteen cubic metres. ASCs are only issued within the rural forest domain to natural persons of Gabonese nationality, with the aim of satisfying the needs of local village communities.

Community forest

Forests allocated by the state to a local community. Community forests are all managed under simplified management.

CPI score

29, updated 2023

Armed Conflicts

There are currently no armed conflicts in Gabon according to the Council on Foreign Relations' Global Conflict Tracker

Voluntary Partnership Agreement

VPA status: Negotiating

Certifications

FSC certified area: 2.241 Mha, updated April 1, 2023

Bans & Restrictions

A full ban on exporting logs.

Risk Species

Name	CITES I	CITES II	CITES III	IUCN Redlist	Special attention
Guibourtia demeusei

Gabon

Tree cover loss

Tree cover loss”. Accessed on 01/01/2023 from www.globalforestwatch.org. The graph shows year-by-year tree cover loss, defined as stand level replacement of vegetation greater than 5 meters in the country. Note that “tree cover loss” is not the same as “deforestation” – tree cover loss includes change in both natural and planted forest, and does not need to be human caused. The data from 2011 onward were produced with an updated methodology that may capture additional loss. Comparisons between the original 2001-2010 data and future years should be performed with caution.

Overview of mitigation options organised by source type

Source Type

Number of risks

Document verification

Stakeholder Consultation

Field Verification

Scientific Testing