Timber Buyers and Traders Are Being Urged to Prepare Now for EUTR

Timber buyers and traders are being urged to prepare now for the European Timber Regulation (EUTR) in a bid to avoid potential criminal charges. Related articles Protestors pledge to fight energy giant nuclear power plans. The warning from the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) comes ahead of new regulations designed to clamp down on illegal timber trading. As of March 2013, companies handling wood or wood products will be required to conduct risk assessment or due diligence, to ensure the goods are not from an illegal source, including timber or products imported or bought in before that date. As a result, the TTF is advising companies to put systems in place now to guarantee compliance. TTF chief executive John White, said: "We are reminding all companies involved in the trade that even products purchased before March 2013 will be caught by the Regulation if they are sold after that date. Companies should ensure they have a robust due diligence system in place now to ensure they will not be caught out in the future. " Source: edie.net