New Zealand Timber and Wood Products Procurement Policy (TWPP)
Timber and wood products procurement audit requirements
Government agencies are required to document for audit their verification of the legality of timber and wood products purchased.
Also, tender specifications should require verifiable documentary evidence of any supplier claims related to sustainability, chain of custody certification or other proof of origin from sustainably managed sources.
Government agencies should have in place systems for recording, on a contract by contract basis, timber and wood products procurements, noting steps to ensure legality, any supplier claims and documentation of certification or equivalence, and the reasons for sourcing decisions.
A simple audit to ensure good practice can be followed and included in record-keeping:
Action |
√ Completed |
Tenderers are informed of mandatory requirement for government agencies to seek legally harvested timber and wood; and preference for products from sustainable sources, where reasonably available and consistent with value for money (Timber and Wood Products Procurement Policy referred to, requirements outlined, link to further information given). |
|
Legality – Mandatory requirement |
|
Insertion of standard legality clause into contracts involving procurement of timber and/or wood products. |
|
Information on legality is referenced. If there is doubt over legality, proof of legality is obtained from successful tenderer. |
|
Sustainability – Preferred |
|
Insertion of standard sustainability clause into contracts involving procurement of timber and/or wood products. |
|
Verifiable documentary evidence of any supplier claims related to sustainability. |
|
Record Keeping |
|
Record keeping follows procurement best-practice, checklist included in records, sustainability claims verified.
|
Govt3 reporting
As part of their written membership commitment, Govt3 member agencies have undertaken to implement Ministerial directives on sustainable procurement such as the Timber and Wood Products Procurement. Govt3 members have also agreed to report annually on core sustainability indicator areas which include paper use. This data in aggregate will be reported to Cabinet. Questions are included in the annual Govt3 reporting about agencies' implementation of the obligation to procure paper from origins that are demonstrably legal and preferably sustainable.
Contact for Enquiries
Senior Policy Analyst
International Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0650
Fax: +64 4 894 0742
Contact this person
