BWF updates guidance on the EU Timber Regulation and how it affects joinery manufacturers

With the EU Timber Regulation now in force, we have further updated our free-to-members ‘easy guide to the EUTR’ with additional advice on how to comply with the regulation and links in to the resources that we are able to offer to BWF members to help them comply.

BWF Policy executive Matt Mahony commented:

“We are now getting an idea of how industry is reacting to the new rules in place, but, even though the regulation is now in force, there is a vast amount of information yet to be clarified by the competent authorities. Our guide will help for joinery manufacturers who want to know how the EUTR affects them, and we will continue to update our guidance as more details emerge from the policy team in Defra.”

“The UK timber industry should be proud of the progress of recent years, with the regulation building on existing traceability schemes within the sector. Timber products now have material stewardship measures in place far above those of rival construction materials and the new rules should be the final nail in the coffin of illegal timber in the EU”.

BWF members are reminded that, for businesses not getting their timber in directly from outside the EU (known as ‘traders’), compliance with the regulation should be simple.

Only businesses carrying out the role of ‘operator’ are required to have a due diligence system in place, but with the reputational risk of trading in illegal timber an obvious concern, some ‘traders’ have been asking for information above the requirements of the regulation.

We would advise members to ensure that any extra information that they choose to gather is relevant and that they do not, as ‘traders’, impose blanket due diligence requirements on their suppliers. Further information could include a simple declaration from a supplier that they have a credible responsible purchasing policy in place.

‘Traders’ may seek further information from suppliers or agents, and BWF would advise this if members have particular concerns about a supplier’s legitimacy, the legality of timber they source, or wish to clarify their stated role in the transaction.

This is important as certain ‘operators’ may want to play the role of ‘traders’ to avoid the due diligence requirements of the EUTR and, alternately, some businesses may want to cover the ‘operator’ role in order to protect supply chain confidentiality. It is therefore essential that BWF members are aware of their role, particularly where timber ‘agents’ are involved, and have enough information to hand to clarify any apparent contradictions. The BWF has spoken to the National Measurement Office of the enforcement of the regulation and will seek to clarify any anomalies with the policy team at Defra.

The updated guide can be downloaded here:
www.bwf.org.uk/publications/general-business-support

Members seeking further clarification should ring the free-to-members BWF helpline

You can also find out more at the BWF Woodworking Conference 2013 (Members' Day), on 25th April, where we will be holding a presentation (Workshops B and N) covering the EU Timber Regulation and how the enforcement of the regulation is likely to work. Each BWF manufacturing member receives one free ticket to the event if they register in advance. You can book your place here: www.bwf.org.uk/news/events/bwf-woodworking-conference-2013