Green Procurement Law Revised to Help Prevent Illegal Logging

The Cabinet has endorsed partial changes in the basic policy drawn up in accordance with the Law Concerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities, or the so-called Green Procurement Law, the Japanese Ministry of the Environment announced on February 28, 2006. The main changes include the addition of 13 newly designated procurement items and a review of 68 criteria for procurement. A criterion has been added to insure the legality of wood and wood products in order to prevent illegal logging.

The Green Procurement Law issued in May 2000 stipulates an annual revision of designated procurement items and their criteria, in response to the development and diffusion of new products and services or developments in scientific knowledge. Revisions have been carried out every year since then.

The items added include boxes for official seals, recording equipment, batteries, lamp bulbs, tires for ordinary government vehicles, two-cycle engine oil, government office maintenance services, etc. Designated items now total 214.

Also added were required points of concern for suppliers for verifying the legitimacy and sustainability of paper and other wood products, in conformity with the Guideline for Verification on Legality and Sustainability of Wood and Wood Products, established by the Forestry Agency on February 15, 2006.

http://www.env.go.jp/en/laws/policy/green/1.pdf
http://www.env.go.jp/en/laws/policy/green/index.html

Posted: 2006/06/15 03:56:45 PM
Japanese version