This page informs businesses of the implications for the trade in goods between the UK and EU countries and the actions they may want to consider taking to mitigate the potential impacts in the event of a No Deal Brexit.
Brexit FAQ
NO DEAL FAQs
When we leave the EU, will the UK have its own regulations to replace the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR)?
Yes, the UK government will implement its own UK Timber Regulation which will have the same requirements as the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT).
In a No Deal scenario, what will be the additional requirements placed on UK business?
If you are importing into the UK from the EU or the EEA, you will become an operator. You will need to carry out due diligence confirming your timber has been legally harvested.
According to the UK Competent Authority – Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) – there will be a 12-month period of awareness raising to allow businesses to identify and adjust to any new obligations.
Workshops will be provided targeting businesses who may not have previously been required to carry out due diligence on timber products. However, in the case where non-compliance is identified, businesses’ previous experience applying due diligence will be considered.
If you are exporting to the EU or EEA , you may need to supply documentation about the source and legality of your timber. This is so your EU and EEA-based customers can meet the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) due diligence rules.
How will the UK Timber Regulation be enforced?
The way in which the regulation is enforced would stay similar to now but will apply to more companies who will have the responsibilities as operators. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) would continue to check that appropriate records are maintained by businesses.
The enforcement will be mostly likely focus on high risk product and supply chains.
For businesses currently importing from outside of the EU, will there be changes to the current process?
There will be no changes to the current process. You’ll still need to carry out due diligence to confirm the timber is legally harvested if you’re a business importing from non-EU or EEA countries.
There will also be no changes if you are a UK producer placing timber on the market for the first time, or, carrying out internal UK trade.
Will the UK continue to recognise FLEGT licensed timber as meeting the requirements on EU/UK TR?
The government is working to ensure FLEGT licenses continue to be recognised in the UK in a ‘no deal’ scenario. The licences will continue to be verified by the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
I am currently using a due diligence system developed by a Monitoring Organisation (MO), can I continue to use them to help meet the regulation?
Monitoring organisations established in the UK would automatically continue to be recognised by the UK. The UK will not automatically recognise EU or EEA monitoring organisations if there’s no deal. The EU has indicated it will no longer recognise monitoring organisations based in the UK if there’s no deal.