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EUTR BRIEFING. Points to be covered. What is the EUTR? Why is it important to you? What is the timescale? What are your obligations? What is the role of Monitoring Organisations? Who will enforce the EUTR? What are the penalties for not complying? What should you, the buyers be doing?
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Points to be covered • What is the EUTR? • Why is it important to you? • What is the timescale? • What are your obligations? • What is the role of Monitoring Organisations? • Who will enforce the EUTR? • What are the penalties for not complying? • What should you, the buyers be doing? • What information is needed from enquiry to order? • What assurances can Lavers offer? • Q & A’s
What is the EUTR? • This is the European Union Timber Regulation • It covers the importation of any timber based product into the EU • It is primarily focused on Tropical Hardwoods and Far Eastern/Chinese Plywoods • Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) have been signed between EU and five other countries • China made no comment on pledge
Why is it important to you? • Prohibition on the first placing of illegal timber that has been illegally harvested on the EU market
What is the timescale? • The regulation came into effect on 3rd March 2013
What are your obligations? • Your obligations are determined by whether you are a ‘Trader’ or an ‘Operator’ • The likelihood is that you are a Trader
Operators • This is defined as those who first place timber and/or timber-based products onto the EU market. • Must have a Due Diligence system in place comprising of: • Access to Information • Risk Assessment • Risk Mitigation
What is the role of Monitoring Organisations? • Maintain and regularly evaluate a due diligence system and grant operators the right to use it • Checks that operators are using it’s due diligence system properly • Takes appropriate action if an operator is not using it’s due diligence system properly • Provide 3rd party credibility to the due diligence system process
Who will enforce the EUTR? • National Measurement Office Risk and intelligence-based approach to enforcement Carry out checks on operators and monitoring organisations to verify compliance Advise and provide guidance on complying with the regulation
What are the penalties for not complying? • Fines proportionate to: • the environmental damage • the value of the products • the tax losses • economic detriment caused • Seizure of the goods • immediate suspension of authorisation to trade • Imprisonment (for serious violation)
Traders • This is defined as those who sell or buy on the EU markets any timber and/or timber-based products that have already been placed onto the EU market by an operator. • All ‘Traders’ throughout the supply chain must keep records of who they have purchased from and (if applicable) who they have supplied too. • Records must be kept for a minimum of FIVE years
What should you be doing? • Gain a basic understanding of EUTR and what your obligations are to comply. • Establish if you are a ‘Trader’, ‘Operator’ or both • Carry out a level of Due Diligence even if you are a ‘Trader’. Company image is everything! • Check delivery notes and invoices for correct specification • Add note to purchase documentation along lines of “All suppliers of timber and timber based products must comply with the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR)”
What information is needed from enquiry to order? • Ensure that your chosen supplier has FSC and PEFC accreditation • Ensure that your chosen supplier adopts a Due Diligence system such as the TTF Responsible Purchasing Policy to mitigate risk • Specify FSC or PEFC certified products at time of enquiry / order
What assurances can Lavers offer? • We are both ‘Traders’ and ‘Operators’ and understand the EUTR requirements for both. • We have representation on various trade federation committees including Board level and the EUTR is on the agenda • We hold FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody • We operate a robust Due Diligence system that is 3rd party verified on an annual basis • We have introduced a Supplier Charter
Why are we different? No horsemeat in our burgers!!!!!!!No horsemeat in our burgers…………