Illegal logging is one of the major threats to forests worldwide. Last October, the European Council formally adopted legislation prohibiting the sale of timber logged illegally under the rules of the country of origin and requiring companies to use a due diligence system. Covering the whole timber supply chain from logging sites to European consumers, the Timber Regulation aims to guarantee access to EU markets for legally-sourced products while halting deforestation in third countries.

It is intended to work alongside the FLEGT licensing system via Voluntary Partnership Agreements between the EU and timber producing countries. The new legislation will come into force in 2012. This comes after almost twenty years of research, consultation and lobby activities, to which Aidenvironment has actively contributed.

For more information contact Marina d'Engelbronner-Kolff.