The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)
24 June 2024
The 30th December 2024 will see the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation’s come into force at ports and entry points across the EU for commodities derived from wood, palm oil, rubber, soy, cattle, cocoa and coffee.
To pass the border checks products need to have a valid Due Diligence Statement number (DDS). The DDS number allows the material to be traced back to its point of growth.
These regulations are not aimed at UK forestry but at global deforestation however the UK is caught up in them. The regulations apply to countries in the EU as well as those out of it so there is no avoiding them.
The full details can be found on the European Commission Deforestation Web page.
It is vitally important that the UK forestry sector embraces the regulations so that we do not end up in a situation where some processers are unable to accept timber as it is not compliant with EUDR so in affect creating a second timber market within the UK. There is a ongoing discussion about whether the UK Woodland Assurance Standard should incorporate the requirements of EUDR into the standard as this alignment would ensure that all certified forests in the UK are then compliant.
Both FSC and PEFC have been holding webinars on the topic to support members.
Soil Association has a training course to help people and organisations become EUDR compliant.