Legally Required Document

Title in original language: Cahier des charges relatif au contrat de concession forestière

Applicable to: Industrial forest concessions

Holder of Document: Ministry of Environment / Concession-holder company 

Signature required by:
All cases: The Minister of environment and the concession holder company representative

Areas over 300,000 ha: Decree signed by the DRC President

Areas over 400,000 ha: law adopted by the DRC Parliament

Key considerations when checking the doc:
Is the nature of the document appropriate to the size of the concession (simple contract / presidential decree/law)?

Is it signed by the proper authority (i.e. in general for areas under 300 00 ha, the Minister of Environment)?

Is it granted to the proper company whose name is the same on other documents relative to the supply chain?

Is the concession registered in the official forest atlas of DRC?

Is the technical specification annexed to the contract available? Does it contain specific requirements relative to management and harvesting?

Purpose and content of document:
The technical specification attached to the contract is a legally binding document that is part of the contract.

Evidence limitations and weaknesses:
both documents do not highlight whether the official procedure for their issuance has been enforced.

Concessions must be granted through a public call for tender

Calls for tender are regulated by a specific series of steps

Granting of new forest concessions has been on hold since 2002.