Côte d’Ivoire: A Field Mission to Prepare Forestry Companies for SVL and EUDR Requirements

13.05.2026

As part of the PASSAD-FORÊT project, ATIBT carried out a technical support mission in Côte d’Ivoire from 26 April to 3 May 2026. Led by Alain Bertin Tsiotsop, ATIBT’s FLEGT and forest certification expert, the mission aimed to strengthen the capacities of stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Timber Legality Verification System (SVL) and support Ivorian forestry companies in meeting FLEGT and EUDR requirements.

Organized in Abidjan and Adzopé under the PASSAD-FORÊT project, the mission is part of the implementation process of the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) signed between Côte d’Ivoire and the European Union on 19 February 2024. The agreement aims to guarantee the legality of timber exported to the European Union while promoting sustainable forest management.

The mission followed a needs assessment conducted between January and March 2026 in several regions of the country. This assessment identified major challenges faced by forestry companies, particularly regarding forest legality, timber traceability, compliance audits, and certification.

To address these needs, Alain Bertin Tsiotsop, ATIBT’s FLEGT and forest certification expert, was mobilized to support the project team in developing tools and methodologies adapted to the Ivorian context.

Strengthening Operational Capacities

The main objective of the mission was to strengthen the project team’s capacities in timber legality and traceability diagnostics (DLTB), while helping to structure a support mechanism for forestry companies seeking compliance with SVL/FLEGT VPA requirements and the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

The mission combined theoretical sessions, practical exercises, and field visits. Several working sessions were organized with project partners, including ATIBT, SPIB (Syndicat des Producteurs Industriels du Bois de Côte d’Ivoire), the European Forest Institute (EFI), and the Permanent Technical Secretariat of the FLEGT VPA.

Two pilot legality and timber traceability assessments were also carried out in two voluntary forestry companies: INPROBOIS, which is OLB-certified, and NOVALIS, which is not certified.

These practical exercises made it possible to:

test documentary verification procedures;
assess companies’ understanding and implementation of the legality verification system;
and strengthen the operational capacities of the project team.

This participatory approach aims to foster continuous improvement and prevent non-compliance within the Ivorian forestry sector.

Towards a National Support Strategy for Forestry Companies

One of the mission’s main expected outcomes is the development of a national support strategy to help forestry companies comply with the SVL.

The strategy seeks to establish a progressive, structured, and pragmatic coaching mechanism tailored to the operational realities of Ivorian forestry companies, while taking into account their level of preparedness, technical capacities, and specific needs.

ATIBT Reinforces Its Commitment in Côte d’Ivoire

Through this mission, ATIBT reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Ivorian private forestry sector in its transition towards more sustainable, traceable, and internationally compliant production systems as part of the implementation of the PASSAD-FORÊT project.

By strengthening technical capacities and developing tools adapted to the national context, this initiative will help better prepare Ivorian forestry companies for the future implementation of the FLEGT licensing scheme as well as for the new European market requirements linked to the EUDR. It also contributes to strengthening forest governance and promoting a more competitive, responsible, and sustainable timber sector.