The British Woodworking Federation (BWF) reported growing concerns that major contractors are misinterpreting the regulation, asking for more information than is necessary and sending the wrong messages to suppliers in a “panicked attempt to avoid any liability”.
The BWF has recorded a number of such instances, including contractors sending demands to their entire supplier list and asking for companies to introduce Chain of Custody certification and a due diligence system in instances where this was not necessary.
“Housebuilders and major constructional groups don’t want to risk the reputational downside of having been found to use illegally harvested timber,” said BWF policy executive Matt Mahony.
“But even though seizure of goods and suspension of authorisation to trade are amongst the penalties that a lawbreaking company could face, it is unlikely that the harshest penalties will hit this end of the supply chain unless a business has been heavily complicit in a serious breach of the regulation.”
He urged BWF members to familiarise themselves with the regulation so they don’t misinterpret their clients’ demands. “A simple declaration should really be enough for most clients,” he added. “We’ve drawn up a declaration that our members can use and this should satisfy the demands of a reasonable customer.”
Joinery companies who trade in timber and timber products within the EU just need to keep records of sale and purchase, but companies importing products directly from outside the EU will find EUTR compliance more complex and will need a due diligence system.
The BWF has published an EUTR easy guide and will shortly also launch a template due diligence guidance document to help members who import products from outside the EU.
