What is EUTR and UKTR?
EUTR: European Union Timber Regulations
UKTR: United Kingdom Timber Regulations
Since Brexit and the UK leaving the EU, EUTR has been replaced with UKTR.
The UKTR mandates that all timber and timber products first placed on the UK market must be legally sourced and is aimed at combatting illegal logging and promote sustainable forest management. This regulation places a significant responsibility on importers to thoroughly verify the legality of their timber and plywood supply chains, through implementation of a "due diligence" system performed on imports.
In order to meet UKTR compliance, our company implements a rigorous due diligence process. This involves conducting thorough assessments of our suppliers and obtaining comprehensive documentation that verifies the legality of the timber and plywood we import. We ensure that our suppliers adhere to the laws and regulations of the countries where the wood is sourced, and we maintain transparent records of all transactions. By doing so, we not only meet our legal obligations but also contribute to the global effort to combat illegal logging and promote responsible forestry practices.
A comprehensive due diligence process goes much further than checking the FSC or PEFC status of a supplier. It requires importers to assess numerous factors prior to first placing product on the UK market. The following is an abbreviated list of information that could form part of a due diligence system:
- Species threat assessment
- Country of origin corruption perception index
- Country of origin timber legality risk assessment
- Country of origin environmental performance index
- Country of harvest and timber species stated on all paperwork
Where the risk of illegal logging in the supply chain is not negligible, further effort is required and may include obtaining & reviewing:
- Isotopic analysis of samples
- Contracts of sale throughout the supply chain
- Forest ownership certification
- Harvesting permits / logging tickets
- Waybills
- Local government websites for violations
- Independent audits & field visits
- Media searches of mills, logging companies for violations
Records should be kept up to date and imports evaluated on a regular basis.
The legal supply of Birch Plywood has come under enormous pressure due to an EU and UK embargo on Russian imports. Extra scrutiny is required on birch plywood imports due to an increase in illegal sources.
UKTR compliant timber and plywood meets the highest standards of legality and sustainability, instilling confidence in the quality and integrity of our products. As a plywood import company, adhering to UKTR compliance is not only a legal requirement but also a fundamental aspect of our business philosophy, underscoring our dedication to ethical and sustainable sourcing.