EU and UK timber industry organisations have declared their “unwavering commitment” against imports of Russian and Belarusian wood products.
In an announcement published on the TDUK website, CEI-Bois (European Confederation of Woodworking Industries), ETTF (European Timber Trade Federation), EOS (European Organisation of the Sawmill Industry), and TDUK (Timber Development UK) – have signed the united statement reaffirming the EU and UK woodworking industry’s and wood traders’ strong and unwavering commitment to complying with applicable legislation governing the import of wood products from Russia or Belarus.
EU and UK sanctions prohibit the purchase, import, or transfer – directly or indirectly – of Russian or Belarusian wood, and all companies must strictly adhere to these rules. Sanctions on wood from Russia and Belarus were introduced years ago, yet residual quantities of prohibited wood regrettably remain in circulation in Europe.
“The EU and UK wood industry firmly condemn this and would like to emphasize that operators are legally liable for sanctions violations, whether intentional or by negligence,” the statement said.
“They cannot escape liability by failing to exercise due diligence. In addition to reputational damage, EU and UK operators who violate sanctions risk administrative and criminal penalties. We also call on national and European authorities to consistently monitor compliance with sanctions and punish violations accordingly.
“Our message is clear: the EU and UK wood industry value chain is united in its determination not to import Russian and Belarusian wood. Integrity is a core value of our industry, and we reject illegal and unethical practices by any company.”
