ISCHP13 Proceedings

The EU Timber Regulation and FLEGT Action Plan aim to combat illegal timber logging and trade, and improve forest governance. In 2015, FLEGT has been in force for 12 years, and the EUTR for two years. What does scientific evidence say about the effectiveness and impacts of these policy measures? The results of the new EFI policy study “Assessment of the EU Timber Regulation and the FLEGT Action Plan” have been presented at a ThinkForest seminar at the European Parliament, Brussels on 21 April.

Forests, 2015

This explorative study aims to shed light on the ways in which Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification interacts with the implementation of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) in Romania. To this end, the EUTR implementation process is examined, and the relationship between this implementation and FSC certification is explored. There is a particular focus on the extent to which certification has helped companies to comply with EUTR requirements. The study uses the analytical framework of Transnational Business Governance Interactions (TBGI) and a mixed research approach. It is found that FSC certification has to a large extent helped companies to prepare for and align with the EUTR's requirements, in particular concerning risk assessment and risk mitigation procedures needed for a due diligence system (DDS), and in the context of a "policy vacuum" period related to EUTR implementation. Moreover, recent changes in the FSC standard make it theoretically in line with EUTR requirements. However, difficulties remain in relation to the lack of information, costs and bureaucracy associated with both EUTR implementation and FSC certification. Notably, in the absence of a monitoring organization, the establishment of a viable DDS is still problematic as many companies remain unprepared for developing their own systems. Finally, the EUTR and its risk management requirements may have partly fueled the increase in uptake of chain of custody (CoC) certification in Romania. However, due to the risk of CoC certificates including illegally sourced timber, this recent uptake in certification does not necessarily indicate improved sustainable forest management (SFM) or full compliance with EUTR.

2011

The paper presents research results of the current situation in the area of certification of forests and wood products in Serbia in the context of new European Union legislation referring to the placement of wood and wood products on this market. The objective of the research was to observe the situation, phases which Serbia implemented in the process of forest and wood products certification until now, as well as the problems and challenges the companies in this process face. Based on research results, future development of the market of certified wood products in Serbia was assessed and the proposal of measures which should be realized in order for Serbia to become a country whose companies will be ready for the moment when provisions and measures of the new EU legislation become effective was given. The selection of the abovementioned objective was conditioned by the fact that from January 1st, 2013 new legislation takes effect, with significantly stricter terms for the placement...

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, 2015

2006

1997

The EU Timber Regulation bans illegal timber in Europe and requires due diligence on imported wood. Given the recent ratification of the EU-Indonesia Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), the Timber Regulation raises questions about the role that Indonesia's timber legality certification scheme—the SVLK—plays in securing access for Indonesian timber to the European market. Certified timber automatically qualifies for export to Europe under the VPA, but the SVLK has weaknesses which the VPA may be unable to address. The Timber Regulation might have helped, but it explicitly excludes VPA timber from its due diligence requirements. Critically, though, it continues to apply to Indonesian timber entering the EU via third countries. Whether it can address the SVLK's shortcomings as regards this timber depends on: (1) whether the SVLK meets the Regulation's certification scheme reliability criteria; and (2) whether the EUTR considers certification sufficient proof of legality to satisfy due diligence requirements.

Economic Botany, 2001

The problem of illegal logging forced EU, which is one of the major consumers of wood in the world, to develop legislation aimed at termination of supplies of illegally harvested wood and wood-based products into EU. EU Timber Regulation №995 is applicable for any company placing wood or wood-based products on the EU market. Russia ranks first in illegally harvested timber export into EU markets, therefore EU Timber Regulation should influence substantially on Russian companies. Possible influence of the EU Timber Regulation on Russian companies was analyzed based on a questionnaire sent to Russian companies exporting wood and wood-based products. Analyses were supplemented by a literature review and expert's opinion. Results from the questionnaire show that Russian companies are not going to stop export of wood and wood-based products into EU because of the EU Timber Regulation. They plan to revise their suppliers and internal company documentation and documentation from suppliers. Exporting companies plan to stop business with some of the suppliers and replacing by new suppliers is not obligatory. This means that export of wood and wood-based products may decrease.

2007