Introduction

Category B evidence is all forms of credible evidence other than certification schemes. Broadly, Category B evidence will indicate that the forest source meets the UK Government's criteria for sustainability and legality. The chain-of-custody will link the end-purchase with the forest source.

This type of evidence can vary greatly and needs to be judged on a case-by-case basis. A framework has been developed to provide support to both procurement staff and suppliers on the provision and assessment of Category B evidence.

Part 1: Criteria for assessing evidence;

Part 2: Checklists for submission of information and evidence;

Part 3: Practical guides: Category B evidence

The criteria for assessing evidence are divided into two sections:

• The requirements for information and evidence to demonstrate supply chain management which provides traceability from the forest source to the point of supply.
• The requirements for information and evidence to demonstrate that forest management meets UK government requirements for legality and sustainability.

Compliance with each criterion will be assessed as either ‘adequate’ or ‘not adequate’. Existing programmes and ad hoc evidence must achieve adequate compliance with every criterion in order to be acceptable.

Checklists have been developed to assist suppliers in providing all the information required in a format which can be systematically and consistently assessed by procurement staff. Three checklists are provided:

Practical guides have been developed to support the use of Category B evidence in practice. These will be continually improved and updated to provide background information to help both suppliers and procurement officers.