Harmonized Wildlife Trade Policy Framework for e-Commerce & Social Media Companies

The Harmonized Wildlife Trade Policy Framework, developed by WWF, TRAFFIC, and IFAW, offers a template for online companies to combat illegal wildlife trafficking. It prohibits the trade of any wildlife sourced illegally, all species listed in CITES Appendix I, and specific CITES Appendix II groups including cetaceans, lions, sharks, manta rays, and devil rays. The framework also mandates compliance with national laws such as the US Endangered Species Act, China's Wild Animal Protection Law, and EU Wildlife Trade Regulations, providing detailed examples of prohibited products ranging from ivory and rhino horn to pangolin scales and shark fins.

• The framework establishes a standardized prohibition against the trade and promotion of any wild live animals, plants, or products that are sourced illegally or traded in violation of any law, though it explicitly excludes domestic or farm animals like cats, dogs, and chickens.
• The policy prohibits the trade of all species listed in CITES Appendix I. Additionally, it extends prohibitions to specific CITES Appendix II groups, namely lions, sharks, cetaceans, and manta and devil rays.
• The framework requires adherence to national commercial trade protections, specifically citing the Wild Animal Protection Law in China, the Wildlife Trade Regulations of the European Union, and the Endangered Species Act in the United States.
• The document lists extensive examples of prohibited products across various taxa, including ivory and leather from elephants, scales and meat from pangolins, horn and powder from rhinoceros, and fins or gill rakers from sharks and rays.

APA

Harvey, M. (n.d.). Harmonized Wildlife Trade Policy Framework for e-Commerce & Social Media Companies. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/330/wk1dijyop_WWF__TRAFFIC_and_IFAW_Wildlife_Friendly_Policy_2017.pdf

Chicago

Harvey, Martin. Harmonized Wildlife Trade Policy Framework for e-Commerce & Social Media Companies. WWF International, n.d. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/330/wk1dijyop_WWF__TRAFFIC_and_IFAW_Wildlife_Friendly_Policy_2017.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Harvey |first1=Martin |title=Harmonized Wildlife Trade Policy Framework for e-Commerce & Social Media Companies |publisher=WWF International |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/330/wk1dijyop_WWF__TRAFFIC_and_IFAW_Wildlife_Friendly_Policy_2017.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{harveyndharmonized, author = {Harvey, Martin}, title = {{Harmonized Wildlife Trade Policy Framework for e-Commerce \& Social Media Companies}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/330/wk1dijyop_WWF__TRAFFIC_and_IFAW_Wildlife_Friendly_Policy_2017.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }