Public organization “Forest initiatives and society” in its publication provided a general overview of information related to the implementation and enforcement of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR).
As the NGO "LIis" reminds, on June 29, 2023, the EU Regulation on Combating Deforestation (EUDR) replaced the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) regarding the legality of wood use. The updated trade rules apply to EU-imported and domestically harvested wood and products, including solid wood products, flooring, plywood, pulp and paper, but do not apply to recycled paper products and printed products.
The main goals of the innovations, informs the NGO "Liis", are to stop long-term deforestation of forest lands (as of January 1, 2022), ban the sale of illegally cut wood, mandatory implementation of the due diligence system (assessment of existing risks and development of measures with their minimization) and registration of information about logging sites, suppliers and customers. In order to achieve the planned goals, the EU member states will continue annual reporting on the implemented measures, and the monitoring organizations – provide appropriate support. To understand this process, the EU has developed numerous documents with examples of relevant studies and recommendations.
The main elements of the implementation of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR):
1. Strengthening control: The measures adopted include improving coordination between the relevant authorities of the countries responsible for the implementation of the regulation, and improving the exchange of information between customs authorities to prevent the illegal import of wood into the EU market.
2. Guidance and support: The European Commission has issued updated guidance to help businesses comply with the EUTR. These guidelines provide clear guidance on establishing effective verification (due diligence) systems and ensuring the procurement of legally sourced timber.
3. Reporting and monitoring: EU member states are now required to submit annual reports on the state of implementation of the EUTR. This allows the European Commission to assess the effectiveness of the adopted legislation and identify gaps for its improvement.
4. Country overviews: Detailed overviews of the countries supplying wood to the EU market were prepared by the World Environmental Monitoring Center of the United Nations Environment Programme. These overviews provide valuable information on forest management, relevant legislation and potential risks of illegal timber trade in the countries concerned. Competent authorities and businesses can use this information to assess the level of risk associated with timber imports and to facilitate the verification process.
Existing initiatives for procurement and production of products that do not lead to the destruction of forests (deforestation):
1. Commitment and certification: Many companies have committed to sourcing goods such as wood, palm oil, soy and beef that do not cause deforestation. Certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) help validate and promote responsible sourcing practices.
2. Supply Chain Transparency: Efforts are being made to increase transparency in commodity supply chains. This includes providing clearer information about the origin of products and ensuring the traceability of the entire supply chain. Improved transparency enables consumers and businesses to make informed decisions in favor of products that do not contribute to forest destruction and degradation.
3. Collective initiatives: There have been several multilateral partnership initiatives/platforms for sustainable development and cooperation between representatives of different sectors of the economy to combat forest degradation and support sustainable source-consumer supply practices. By joining forces, these initiatives promote systemic change and popularize responsible practices in various industries.
4. Policy measures: Governments and international organizations are implementing policy measures to combat forest degradation. Such measures may include legislation, import requirements and agreements that promote sustainable trade in consumer goods. Such actions help create a favorable political environment and support responsible practices in the global market. In this vein, the EU has developed the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which can be read in more detail in the next publication.
