The EBA discussed cooperation prospects with WWF-Ukraine

05/ 03/ 2025

Yurii Andriiv, Committee Manager at the European Business Association, discussed potential areas of cooperation with representatives of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Ukraine). WWF-Ukraines key areas of work include the protection of valuable forests and sustainable forest management, water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change. The meeting participants paid special attention to the implementation of the European Parliament and Council Regulation 2023/1115 (EUDR), which ensures that certain products and goods linked to deforestation and forest degradation can be placed on or exported from the EU market. These products include soy, beef, palm oil, timber, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and some derived products such as leather, chocolate, tyres, and furniture. Under the EUDR requirements, European importers of timber and wood products will be obliged to conduct due diligence on the origin of the products before each import. EBA experts note that this will directly affect Ukrainian timber exporters, who will need to provide the necessary documentation. Failure to supply buyers with the required information and supporting documents in compliance with EUDR may lead to negative consequences such as the buyer rejecting the goods, shipment delays at the border, storage costs until the required documentation is provided, or even the return of the goods. WWF-Ukraine representatives are actively working on proposals to improve national forestry legislation, taking into account key deadlines and EUDR requirements. As a result of the meeting, the EBA agreed to cooperate with WWF-Ukraine in developing relevant legislative acts aimed at improving regulations in the woodworking and furniture industries, enhancing investment attractiveness, and protecting Ukraine’s forests.

Yurii Andriiv, Committee Manager at the European Business Association, discussed potential areas of cooperation with representatives of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Ukraine).

WWF-Ukraine’s key areas of work include the protection of valuable forests and sustainable forest management, water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change.

The meeting participants paid special attention to the implementation of the European Parliament and Council Regulation 2023/1115 (EUDR), which ensures that certain products and goods linked to deforestation and forest degradation can be placed on or exported from the EU market. These products include soy, beef, palm oil, timber, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and some derived products such as leather, chocolate, tyres, and furniture.

Under the EUDR requirements, European importers of timber and wood products will be obliged to conduct due diligence on the origin of the products before each import. EBA experts note that this will directly affect Ukrainian timber exporters, who will need to provide the necessary documentation. Failure to supply buyers with the required information and supporting documents in compliance with EUDR may lead to negative consequences such as the buyer rejecting the goods, shipment delays at the border, storage costs until the required documentation is provided, or even the return of the goods.

WWF-Ukraine representatives are actively working on proposals to improve national forestry legislation, taking into account key deadlines and EUDR requirements.

As a result of the meeting, the EBA agreed to cooperate with WWF-Ukraine in developing relevant legislative acts aimed at improving regulations in the woodworking and furniture industries, enhancing investment attractiveness, and protecting Ukraine’s forests.