WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EU TIMBER REGULATION

8 June 2013
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE EU TIMBER REGULATION

On 3rd March 2013, a new EU regulation came into effect to prevent the illegal harvesting of timber used to make a range of wood products, including wood floors.

This new regulation, known as the Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council or the (Illegal) Timber Regulation, was drawn up on 20th October 2010 but only came into effect in the last few months. This was to give operators and timber producers sufficient time to prepare.

There are three key things you need to know about the new EU Timber Regulation:

1. The new regulation prohibits illegally harvested timber and timber products to be placed on the EU market.
2. It requires traders in the EU to exercise ‘due diligence’ when placing timber products on the market. This means they must minimise the risk of putting illegally harvested timber on the EU market by carrying out a risk management exercise.
3. It requires operators in all parts of the supply chain to keep records of their suppliers and customers can be traced.

The introduction of the new EU regulation is good news for manufacturers, traders and customers alike, as it means that all timber products, including those used to make wood flooring, come from a sustainable, properly managed source. Hopefully, it will also mean that illegal harvesting, which is irresponsible and damaging to the environment, can be stamped out.