Timber Trade Obligations

If your business imports timber or timber products into the EU market, you must comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which replaces the former EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). This means you need to exercise due diligence to verify that the wood you sell was legally harvested and not linked to deforestation. The obligation applies to the first placement on the EU market, so it mainly affects importers and primary suppliers.

You must maintain records of your suppliers and buyers, and implement a due diligence system that includes risk assessment and risk mitigation. Enforcement of the EUDR has been postponed to December 30, 2026 for large operators and June 30, 2027 for micro and small enterprises. The NVWA enforces these rules and can carry out inspections. When importing timber, you also need to meet phytosanitary requirements.