In order to improve the market for legal domestic timber and curb illegal logging, the Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, launched the "Taiwan Forest Product Production Traceability System" last December to record the production process of forest products. It has been well received by the industry since its implementation, and as of May 11th, 2020, a total of 89 units (or 13,794.7098 cubic meters) of Taiwanese wood from 22 operators have passed the verification. Using Technology and Innovation to Curb Crime at the Consumer End The Forestry Bureau pointed out that it had developed a comprehensive Domestic Timber Verification Label system after two years of research and development. Of which, the Forest Product Production Traceability QR Code (costing the least for the industry operators) uses the QR code to label the source of the timber and prove the legality of the product through self-management by the manufacturers and review by the Taiwan Architecture & Building Center. Consumers, on the other hand, can phase out wood products of unknown origin through the market mechanism of purchasing legal wood products. In order to increase the incentives, the verification fee is waived when industry operators apply for the QR code, as long as domestic timber is used. The application even extends to forestry products. The first verified batch of 89 units, or more than 13,000 cubic meters, of domestic timber, and includes logs, planks, stationery, musical instruments, toys, trays, hardwood flooring, and wood sculptures and carvings. Lin Hwa-Ching, Director General of the Forestry Bureau, pointed out that the introduction of a domestic timber verification system will not only facilitate illegal timber products to be gradually eradicated from the market, but also help to enhance the image of Taiwan's timber products. He called on consumers to recognize the label and purchase legal wood products, so that everyone can work together to curb illegal logging at the source. There are currently 22 industry operators who have passed the verification. In northern Taiwan: Kunniyh Wood Co., Ltd.; Kuen Jin Wood Co., Ltd.; Jang Chang Lumber Industry Limited Company; Limited Liability Hsinchu County Yongtai Forestry Production Cooperative; Sen Tian Wood Co., Ltd.; Guan Yi Wood Co., Ltd.; and Association of Humanitarian Architecture. In central Taiwan: Chen Xin Wood Co., Ltd.; Experimental Forest, College of Bio-Resources and Agriculture, National Taiwan University; and Chaiwood Co., Ltd. In southern Taiwan: Hinoki Kingdom; Ming-Ji Timber Business Co.; Limited Liability Pingtung County Yongzai Forestry Production Cooperative; Gao Pin Wood Industry Co., Ltd.; Forn Jing Co., Ltd.; Zhen Mao Wood Industry Co., Ltd.; Fure Jang Enterprise Co., Ltd.; Fu Hao Lumber Company; Sheng Xing Carpenter Workshop; and Song Hoa Enterprise Co., Ltd. In eastern Taiwan: Zheng De Enterprise and Yaowangshan Herbal Medicine Trading Company. Consumers can also visit the "Taiwan Wood" website to purchase legally produced domestic timber products. In the future, with the increasing popularity of verification applications and the increase in the number of products, more market competitive products will be available for purchase, so that illegal timber can be eradicated from the market through the affirmation and purchase of law-abiding consumers. Only Certified Manufacturers Can Participate in Tenders for Precious Woods and Thinning Timber After the launch of the Forest Product Production Traceability System, the Forestry Bureau has restarted the sale of precious wood by sealed tender in April this year. The Forestry Bureau also announced that from July 1st, the bidding will be restricted to industry operators who have passed the verification; operators are urged to apply as soon as possible. Questions regarding the application for domestic timber verification can be directed at the consulting agency: Chinese Wood Construction Buildings Association (Tel: 02-33664654, Ms. Chiang). For assistance with the application for the QR code, please contact the Taiwan Architecture & Building Center (tel: 02-86676111#188, Ms. Chang).
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