EUTR, EU Timber Regulation

Unfortunately, the increased demand for timber has led to the development of the illegally sawn timber trade. It should be emphasized that illegal logging has a major negative impact on the environment. In addition, the illegally harvested timber trade poses a threat to all companies in the timber industry that comply with the relevant legislation.

In order to prevent the negative social and economic effects of the illegally cut timber trade, Regulation 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council or the European Union's (EUTR) Timber Regulation has been revised. The EUTR Regulation entered into force on 3 March 2013.

What is EUTR?

It should be noted that the EUTR applies to the European Union and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. EUTRAccording to , both companies and individuals who trade wood or wood products must abide by three important rules. This is an issue:

• Due Diligence – All companies that import wood and wood products are required to conduct due diligence in each supply chain. This due diligence aims to prevent the illegal sawn timber trade;
• Ban on trade in illegally sawn timber and products made from it in the EU. Timber importing companies may supply the EU market only with lumber that complies with the legislation of the country where it was harvested;
• Traceability – Resellers need to identify and document both their suppliers and customers.

What information does a company need for its due diligence system?

It cannot be denied that due diligence is a crucial element of the EUTR. All companies importing timber into the European Union are required to use a due diligence system. This system includes:

• information collected by the company;
• detailed documentation of the risk assessment;
• information on any risk reduction measures taken.

What is important in risk assessment? Timber importing companies should have adequate access to information on the origin of the imported timber. All supply chain documentation must be thoroughly analyzed to properly assess potential risks. Possible risk reduction measures can only be planned after risk assessment. Frequent risk reduction measures include e.g. B. purchase of certified wood.

Traders and market participants according to EUTR

EUTR distinguishes between market participants and traders. What is the diffrence? All companies that bring wood to the European market are called market participants. Importers should also use a due diligence system to reduce the risk of illegally harvested timber being placed on the market. It should be emphasized that this system should be kept up to date. According to the EUTR, traders are companies that currently trade imported timber in the EU. All traders must identify and document their business partners (both other traders and market participants).

Important: All information collected in the due diligence system must be retained for at least five years. The due diligence system (DDS) allows market participants and traders to prove at any time that their timber has been legally harvested.

Would you like to verify that your company meets the EUTR requirements? If you wish, contact an accredited certification body that can perform EUTR compliance check.