Forthcoming implementation of the EUDR - Systematic deficiencies
Postponement urgently needed

The European carpentry and timber construction industry fundamentally supports the curbing of global deforestation.

The mandatory implementation of the EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR) for companies in the timber supply chain as of January 1, 2025 requires end-to-end documentation of the use of raw materials. However, the systematic requirements for a practical implementation of the directive are currently lacking.

We therefore welcome the EU Commission's recommendation to postpone its introduction by one year. However, it is urgently necessary to make the necessary administrative and technical adjustments.

The regulation should also be applied across the board within the EU without any adjustments. This approach thwarts the objective of reducing bureaucracy within the EU and overburdens all companies along the value chain, as it tackles a problem that does not exist in the central countries of Europe. 

There are still no international risk assessments for deforestation in the individual countries of the world; the window of opportunity for companies to adjust their supply chains accordingly is getting smaller and smaller. 

Many questions that are crucial for implementation have remained unanswered by the Commission for months. The current situation has already led to a considerable financial burden and ongoing uncertainty in all parts of the affected value chains.

Companies still have no clarity as to how they will be able to market their products with legal certainty from the time of introduction. For large parts of the value chain, there is a risk of problems with customs clearance, exclusion from the market or even insolvency in individual cases and, as a result, supply bottlenecks and price increases for consumers. 

The implementation time is too short and there is currently the threat of an immense bureaucratic burden. As representatives of the European carpentry and timber construction industry, we therefore urge the Commission not only to postpone the introduction of the EUDR by one year, but also to work hard on the structures required for practical implementation in the interests of the affected economic sectors.

Timber Construction Europe is the European roof organization uniting national associations representing small and medium sized businesses in timber construction. 
We currently represent 22.000 member companies through our member associations in Italy, Luxemburg, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.