A Historic Step in Sustainable Timber Trade

On August 15, 2025, Ghana officially launched its Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing system, marking the beginning of verified legal timber exports to the EU.

This milestone follows 16 years of reform, collaboration, and investment across Ghana’s forest sector, including the recent ratification of 131 Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs) by Parliament — the final regulatory step that cleared the way for implementation.

As the first African country and the second globally (after Indonesia) to issue FLEGT licences, Ghana has positioned itself as a frontrunner in sustainable forest governance and legal timber trade.

What the Launch Means for Timber Operators and Buyers

A FLEGT licence certifies that timber and timber-related products exported to the EU are:

• Legally harvested and processed in line with Ghanaian laws
  
  
• Automatically compliant with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR)
  
  
• Eligible for seamless EU market access, without the need for additional EUTR due diligence checks
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According to the EU’s official press release, more than 350 industry operators in Ghana have been trained on the licensing process, ensuring smooth adoption and transparency for international buyers.

For the EU market, this means lower risk, streamlined legality assurance, and stronger confidence in the integrity of Ghanaian timber supply chains.

How FLEGT Interacts with the EUDR

While the FLEGT system is a breakthrough for legality assurance, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) sets a broader bar. Unlike the EUTR, which focused only on legality, the EUDR requires:

• Geolocation of plots of harvest
  
  
• Proof that timber is deforestation-free
  
  
• Risk assessment and mitigation measures
  
  
• Comprehensive traceability and reporting
  
  

This means that while Ghana’s FLEGT timber automatically satisfies legality requirements, operators must still ensure that imports meet deforestation-free standards under the EUDR.

The Bigger Picture: Climate and Compliance Leadership

The launch of FLEGT licences also demonstrates Ghana’s readiness to meet global environmental obligations:

• EUDR compliance → Combining legality with geolocation and deforestation-free criteria
  
  
• Climate change commitments → Strengthening governance and reducing illegal deforestation
  
  
• International partnerships → Solidifying Ghana’s leadership in sustainable trade with the EU
  
  

By closing governance gaps and rolling out robust systems, Ghana sets an example for other timber-exporting nations navigating the transition to deforestation-free supply chains.

How Command Center Supports Companies Importing FLEGT Timber Under EUDR

For EU-based operators and traders, the message is clear: FLEGT makes legality easier, but EUDR still requires a full compliance strategy.

This is where Command Center by 11Foundry steps in:

• ERP Integration via API – Automatically connect FLEGT licences in your compliance management system.
  
  
• Satellite Data (Orbify) – Verify geolocation and deforestation risks alongside licence data.
  
  
• End-to-End Traceability – Manage legality, deforestation-free checks, and risk assessments in one platform.
  
  
• Future-Proof Automation – Rapidly adapt to EU Commission guidance as regulations evolve.
  
  

With Command Center, companies can seamlessly integrate FLEGT proof of legality into their EUDR due diligence process, ensuring full compliance with minimal disruption.

A Strong Step, but Not the Finish Line

Ghana’s successful rollout of the FLEGT licensing system marks a historic achievement for sustainable forest governance. It removes legality concerns, simplifies EU market entry, and boosts confidence in African timber supply chains.

But under the EUDR, the journey doesn’t stop there. Companies importing Ghanaian timber must still demonstrate deforestation-free compliance — and that requires strong, flexible, and automated due diligence systems.

👉 Stay ahead of compliance challenges. Book a demo of Command Center!