Pellet importers face tougher EU regulation

Aug. 4, 2011, Perpignan, France – New
European Union timber product import regulations could threaten small and
medium-sized companies bringing industrial wood pellets into the region,
according to a new report.

A European Forestry Institute (EFI)
assessment for the European Commission on the strength of future EU timber
regulations (EUTR) concludes that many companies will be unable to comply with
due diligence over wood sourcing for raw lumber and “composite products” such
as pellets. The report says, “Some forest industry sectors will face greater
difficulties in proving legality than the others depending on the product
traded. Tracking whole logs will certainly be simpler than keeping records of
the origin of composite products.”

The recommendations to the commission
include national bodies to assess each country's forestry industry and to
outline specific steps needed to avoid illegal imports. Larger corporate
importers stand a better chance of being able to manage the demands of forthcoming
EUTRs, the assessment says. Implementing the new regulations could place many
medium-sized importers at risk, as they lack the ability to self-certify wood
sources.

“Communications with the small and
medium-sized businesses indicated that very few of them were aware of the EUTR.
The EUTR introduces new entities, problems and challenges. Some aspects still
need clarification and specific interpretation,” the report says.

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