What is the EU Timber Regulation?

The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) is part of the European Union's policy to combat illegal logging and associated trade. It prohibits the placing on the EU market of illegally harvested timber or timber products derived from such timber. The EUTR requires ‘operators’ who place timber or timber products on the EU market for the first time to exercise due diligence to ensure that timber and timber products are legally harvested. To facilitate the traceability of timber and timber products, the EUTR also requires ‘traders’ who buy or sell timber products in the EU to keep records of their suppliers and customers.

For more information about the EUTR, visit http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eutr2013/index_en.htm

I am an EU-based operator. Why should I prefer to buy FLEGT Licensed timber products?

FLEGT licensed timber meets the due diligence requirements of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), saving you time and money. The EUTR requires that operators exercise due diligence when placing timber or timber products on the market. Exercising due diligence means undertaking a risk management exercise so as to minimise the risk of placing illegally harvested timber, or timber products containing illegally harvested timber, on the EU market. Operators in the EU do not need to exercise further due diligence on imports of FLEGT-licensed timber. For more information on the benefits of FLEGT licensed timber products, see the section called Information for Operators.

I have purchased FLEGT-licensed timber from a VPA country. Do I still have to carry out due diligence under the EU Timber Regulation?

No. Timber and timber products covered by a valid FLEGT licences are considered to comply with the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and thus you do not need to exercise further due diligence.