The European Timber Regulation and Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) will no longer apply in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from 1 January 2021. Find out more about Moving goods into, out of, or through Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.

The UK Timber Regulation and UK FLEGT will apply in Great Britain from 1 January 2021. Under these regulations you’ll still need to carry out due diligence to confirm timber is legally harvested if you’re a:

• business importing from non-EU or EEA countries
• GB producer placing timber on the GB market for the first time

Importing timber to GB from the EU and EEA

From 1 January 2021, you’ll need to show imports from the EU and European Economic Area (EEA) have been legally harvested.

Businesses must follow these regulations from 1 January 2021 when they import timber from non-EU and EEA countries.

To show you’re importing legally harvested timber, you’ll need to carry out due diligence. Use the due diligence checklist to make sure you:

• gather information on the timber – its species, quantity, supplier, country of harvest and how it complies with relevant laws
• assess the risk of illegally harvested timber entering your supply chain
• mitigate any identified risk to negligible by gathering more information or implementing further actions

Timber will be recognised as legally harvested if one of the following applies:

• it has a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) import permit
• it’s accompanied by a valid FLEGT licence

You will not need to carry out due diligence on this timber.

Exporting to the EU and EEA from GB

If you’re exporting timber to the EU or EEA, you may need to supply documentation about the source and legality of your timber. This is so EU and EEA-based customers can meet the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) due diligence rules.

Importing to Northern Ireland from the EU and EEA

The European Timber Regulations will apply in Northern Ireland.

This means there will be no change in the way the Timber Regulations work if you’re importing timber from the EU EEA to Northern Ireland.

Exporting to the EU and EEA from Northern Ireland

The European Timber Regulations will apply in Northern Ireland.

This means there will be no change in the way the Timber Regulations work if you’re exporting timber from Northern Ireland to the EU EEA.

Moving timber to Northern Ireland from GB

The European Timber Regulations will apply in Northern Ireland.

From 1 January 2021, you’ll need to show imports from GB have been legally harvested to meet the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) due diligence rules.

Businesses must follow these regulations from 1 January 2021 when they import timber from non-EU and EEA countries.

To show you’re importing legally harvested timber, you’ll need to carry out due diligence. Use the due diligence checklist to make sure you:

• gather information on the timber – its species, quantity, supplier, country of harvest and how it complies with relevant laws
• assess the risk of illegally harvested timber entering your supply chain
• mitigate any identified risk to negligible by gathering more information or implementing further actions

Timber will be recognised as legally harvested if one of the following applies:

• it has a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) import permit
• it’s accompanied by a valid FLEGT licence

You will not need to carry out due diligence on this timber.

Moving timber to GB from Northern Ireland

If you’re moving timber from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, there will be no change in the way the Timber Regulations work. This means there will be no new checks on Northern Ireland to GB timber movements.

Timber and timber products placed on the market in Northern Ireland will not need additional due diligence to be placed on the market in GB.

Businesses in GB who buy or sell timber already on the market in Northern Ireland will be considered as ‘traders’ in the Timber Regulations.

Importing to GB from Indonesia with a FLEGT licence

You do not have to conduct due diligence on timber or timber products imported directly from Indonesia if it’s covered by a valid FLEGT licence from Indonesia. This licence must be verified before the goods are released from customs.

Importing to Northern Ireland from Indonesia with a FLEGT licence

You do not have to conduct due diligence on timber or timber products imported directly from Indonesia if it’s covered by a valid FLEGT licence from Indonesia. This licence must be verified before the goods are released from customs.

Importing to the EU and EEA from GB with a CITES permit

EU and EEA businesses importing timber covered by a CITES permit will not need to carry out due diligence.

Standards and enforcement

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) will continue to enforce the regulations in both Northern Ireland and GB. The OPSS will:

• verify FLEGT licences
• check business records and due diligence systems

Monitoring organisations

The UK will still approve monitoring organisations based in the UK and they can support businesses to comply with the Timber Regulations.

The UK will not automatically approve EU or EEA monitoring organisations from 1 January 2021.

The EU will no longer approve monitoring organisations based in the UK from 1 January 2021.

Businesses in Northern Ireland can continue to use monitoring organisations approved by the EU from 1 January 2021.