The ЕВА participated in the first meeting of the working group on implementing the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR)

22/ 05/ 2025

Listen to online Stop   Representatives of the Woodworking and Furniture Committee took part in the inaugural meeting of the working group dedicated to implementing EU Regulation 2023/1115 (EUDR) on preventing deforestation and forest degradation. The initiative aims to establish transparent oversight of imports into the European Union of products linked to deforestation, in particular, timber and timber-based goods. This matter is of particular relevance to the Woodworking and Furniture Industry Committee, as the new rules will directly impact Ukrainian exporters targeting the European market. Under the Regulation, EU importers will be required to carry out thorough due diligence before placing relevant products on the market. This means Ukrainian companies must be prepared to provide a full package of supporting documentation, including: the scientific name of the timber species; the country of harvest; the geolocation (coordinates) of the harvesting sites; the date or time range of the harvest; proof of compliance with the laws of the country of origin regarding timber harvesting and processing; evidence that no deforestation or forest degradation occurred during harvesting. During the meeting, Yurii Andriiev, Committee Manager at the EBA, emphasised the importance of establishing a constructive dialogue with Ukrainian woodworking and furniture companies. He stressed that it is essential to consider the positions of all stakeholders in order to mitigate potential risks associated with non-compliance, such as refusal of goods by buyers, delays at border checkpoints, additional storage costs, or even the return of shipments. Given the export-oriented nature of Ukraine’s woodworking sector, the EBA underscores the importance of developing effective solutions to ensure uninterrupted trade flows and maintain economic stability.

Representatives of the Woodworking and Furniture Committee took part in the inaugural meeting of the working group dedicated to implementing EU Regulation 2023/1115 (EUDR) on preventing deforestation and forest degradation. The initiative aims to establish transparent oversight of imports into the European Union of products linked to deforestation, in particular, timber and timber-based goods.

This matter is of particular relevance to the Woodworking and Furniture Industry Committee, as the new rules will directly impact Ukrainian exporters targeting the European market.

Under the Regulation, EU importers will be required to carry out thorough due diligence before placing relevant products on the market. This means Ukrainian companies must be prepared to provide a full package of supporting documentation, including:

• the scientific name of the timber species;

• the country of harvest;

• the geolocation (coordinates) of the harvesting sites;

• the date or time range of the harvest;

• proof of compliance with the laws of the country of origin regarding timber harvesting and processing;

• evidence that no deforestation or forest degradation occurred during harvesting.

During the meeting, Yurii Andriiev, Committee Manager at the EBA, emphasised the importance of establishing a constructive dialogue with Ukrainian woodworking and furniture companies. He stressed that it is essential to consider the positions of all stakeholders in order to mitigate potential risks associated with non-compliance, such as refusal of goods by buyers, delays at border checkpoints, additional storage costs, or even the return of shipments.

Given the export-oriented nature of Ukraine’s woodworking sector, the EBA underscores the importance of developing effective solutions to ensure uninterrupted trade flows and maintain economic stability.