New Rosewood Proposals at Conference of the Parties

The 17th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) begins September 24 in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Through a partnership with the League of American Orchestras, NAMM will be advocating for issues of potential impact to the music products industry.

Included on the agenda are discussions to further restrict the sales of products containing elephant ivory, adding dozens of additional rosewood (dalbergia) species to the treaty’s Appendix II and streamlining the rules for international travel with musical instruments, which were initially discussed at the last CoP when the concept of a musical instrument passport was approved.

The rosewood proposal presents the most significant challenge for the music products industry.  Adding species to Appendix II would require imports and exports of instruments containing rosewood to be accompanied by permits issued by the exporting country.  Currently, the 50-plus rosewood species listed on Appendix II are annotated with an exemption for finished products.  NAMM will continue to advocate for such an exemption if all rosewood species are added to Appendix II.

NAMM will also be closely watching the elephant ivory discussion in order to preserve the exemption for most musical instruments contained in rules issued in June by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pertaining to domestic interstate transactions.

In cooperation with the League of American Orchestras, NAMM will be co-sponsoring a reception for the more than 3,000 delegates attending this international gathering and provide information on key issues along with ongoing concerns for safe-guarding ALL natural resources.

NAMM monitors and advocates for regulatory compliance issues that impact the music products industry including materials content requirements, musician’s travel and wood import. NAMM members are encouraged follow and stay informed here.