Timber trade regulations

EUDR

Deforestation and forest degradation contribute to climate change and biodiversity loss. To reduce the contribution of European consumption to these impacts, the European Union adopted the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) – Regulation (EU) 2023/1115.

For the timber sector, the EUDR replaces the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and introduces broader requirements. In addition to legality, it notably establishes requirements relating to deforestation and forest degradation, geolocation of plots of land, traceability and due diligence.

The Regulation was amended in December 2025, notably to simplify the obligations of downstream actors and introduce a specific regime for micro and small primary operators.

When does the EUDR apply?

Official timeline and information – European Commission

EUTR

The EU Timber Regulation is part of the European Union's policy to fight illegal logging and associated trade, which was defined in 2003 under the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan.

Us Lacey Act

The Lacey Act is a U.S. law passed in 1900 to protect wildlife from trafficking and amended in 2008 to include plant products, making it the world’s first ban on the trade of illegally sourced wood products.

Australia Illegal Logging Prohibition Act

Australia’s Illegal Logging Prohibition Act from 2012 complements international efforts to promote legal timber trade and comes in two parts – primary legislation, followed by detailed regulations.

Japan Clean Wood Act

In May 2016, the Government of Japan introduced the Act on Promotion of Use and Distribution of Legally-Harvested Wood and Wood Products – also known as the Clean Wood Act (CWA).