EU Timber Regulation

What is the EUTR?

The EUTR is a European Union (EU) Regulation that aims to close the market to uncontrolled/illegal flows of timber and timber products by ensuring that the EU imports timber harvested in compliance with the laws of the country of origin. The Regulation applies to both imported and EU-produced timber products.

The requirements apply to those operators and traders who work with roundwood, pulpwood and timber products, such as plywood, paper, furniture, etc. EUTR requirements affect your business depending on your position in the supply chain, as well as on the type of product you are buying/selling. The requirements apply to both operators and traders.

Operators are the first to place timber and timber products on the EU market. Their main responsibility is to carry out legality checks, minimizing the possibility of placing illegally harvested timber or timber products on the market. To ensure this process, a risk management system – Due Diligence System (DDS) – must be implimented.

Traders buy and sell timber or timber products that have already been placed on the EU market. Traders have a responsibility to ensure product traceability by maintaining and providing access to information on suppliers and customers.

How to demonstrate compliance with the EUTR requirements?

To demonstrate compliance with the EU Timber Regulation, a company needs to ensure high-quality execution of the requirements of the Regulation, including the implementation and monitoring of the Due Diligence System.

BM Certification, an accredited certification body, can review your compliance with the EU Timber Regulation and, if necessary, provide training on the requirements of the Regulation.

Who needs to get an EUTR inspection?

Operators are required to comply with several in-depth requirements under the EUTR, including the implemenation of a Due Diligence System for all timber and timber products. The DDS requires an assessment of the risk of illegal origin of timber or timber products. Furthermore, the system must be maintained and regularly evaluated in accordance with the requirements of the Regulation.

An independent review of your compliance with EU Timber Regulation confirms and ensures that your company has implemented a Due Diligence System and regularly monitors its use. Successful passing of the review confirms your sustainability, product legality, and competitiveness.

By choosing to review your compliance with the EUTR, you will:

• analyze information on timber and timber products placed on the market by the operators;
• perform a risk assessment, analyzing and evaluating the possibility of placing illegally harvested timber or timber products on the market;
• eliminate the risk of illegal origin of timber or timber products;
• ensure the traceability of products and their raw materials;
• ensure the implementation and regular monitoring of the Due Diligence System;
• receive an independent third-party assessment of the legality of your products and their raw materials and your compliance with the EU Timber Regulation.

Contact us for more details.

N.B. Timber and timber products do not need to be subject to legality checks if they have been granted a CITES permit (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) or a FLEGT license (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action Plan). Such products are considered to comply with the requirements of the Regulation.