Update on the EUTR regulation

Defra held a stakeholder meeting at the end of February (see the note from the meeting here) in preparation for the Member States FLEGT Committee on the 27 February which discussed the current draft of the implementing regulation. Consensus was reached on a number of issues, but with some sticking points still remaining. In terms of access to information required when undertaking due diligence, there was for example agreement that:

1) The full scientific name of tree species shall be provided where ambiguity in the use of the common name exists.

2) Information on sub-national region shall be provided where applicable legislation differs between sub-national regions or where the risk of illegal harvesting in sub-national regions varies.

3) Information on the concession of harvest shall be provided for round wood and sawn timber where the risk related to specific concessions in a country or sub-national region of harvest varies.

Defra’s note from the FLEGT Committee meeting is available here. The next Committee meeting will be at the end of April when voting will take place on the final draft of the implementing regulation. This is in line with the EU agreed timetable which stipulates that the implementing regulation will be published in the EU Journal by June. Defra will hold a further stakeholder meeting in mid April to discuss guidance and UK implementation in more detail and invite stakeholders to send any other comments/ questions you may have in the mean time.

CPET is following the latest updates from Brussels and the UK Government closely to ensure that we provide the most accurate and up-to-date advice. Any enquiries on the EUTR can be directed to the CPET helpline cpet@proforest.net.