VPA text and annexes

A Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) sets out the commitments of the EU and the VPA partner country. Each VPA has two parts – the main text and the annexes. The VPA negotiation process determines what information appears in each part.

VPA main text

The main text of a VPA explains the key obligations of each party and how the will interact during implementation of the agreement. The text is usually around 15 pages and varies little between VPAs. The text comprises around 30 articles that detail:

• The objectives and scope of the agreement
• Definitions of terms
• The functions of implementing structures, such as the joint implementation committee
• The principles behind different aspects of the agreement
• Conditions for the agreement's entry into force and for parties to amend, suspend, extend or terminate the agreement

Some articles frame the VPA annexes, which provide detailed, country-specific information on aspects of the agreement.

VPA annexes

The annexes describe the practical steps for implementing the core commitments in the VPA in detail. Annexes provide country-specific information on, for example:

• The laws the partner country will monitor under the VPA
• The products the agreement will cover
• The technical systems for verifying legality, tracing timber and issuing FLEGT licences in the partner country
• The government departments and agencies involved in implementing the VPA and their roles
• The information and documentation that will be put in the public domain and the mechanisms through which this will happen

The number of annexes varies between VPAs. Most VPAs to date have the following annexes:

• Annex on product scope
• Annex on legality definition
• Annex on timber legality assurance system
• Annex on EU procedures for imports of FLEGT-licensed timber products
• Annex on FLEGT licences
• Annex on independent auditing
• Annex on legality assurance system assessment criteria
• Annex on implementation schedule
• Annex on accompanying measures
• Annex on public information
• Annex on the joint implementation committee

Navigating VPAs

Table 1 shows the articles and annexes in each partner country's VPA that relate to each of the main topics.

* Not defined as an annex, but developed during implementation in the form of Joint Action Plans