Wooden buildings may become more expensive from September due to a new EU directive

Prague - Wooden constructions and wooden furniture or even pallets and pellets may become more expensive. Importers and processors of wood are under the threat of million-euro fines and are required to verify the origin of the wood. This law will come into effect on September 1 and is aimed at combating illegal logging outside the European Union. The European Union was the initiator of this legislative measure.
      "The European Union aims to create greater transparency in the procedures for wood trade through this regulation. The regulation applies to all economic entities importing wood-based products into Europe. Upon first entry into the internal market, they must prove that the wood in the products was harvested in accordance with local regulations in the country of origin, thus they are obliged to demonstrate legal origin," commented František Závada, head auditor of Bureau Veritas.
      The European directive came into force on March 3. The law, which would penalize trade in imported wood outside EU borders without verified origin within the Czech Republic, was approved with an effect from September 1. Those who would supply wood or already finished products made from illegally logged wood to the Czech market face a fine of 3 million crowns. If this happens repeatedly, the fine could be up to 5 million crowns. The fact that this phenomenon is not negligible is evidenced by the fact that pellets, which many households use as cheap heating fuel, most often come from Ukraine or Belarus and are imported in large quantities into the country. However, in the mentioned countries, they are often produced from illegal sources.
      The European Commission estimates that member states lose 10-15 billion euros annually in state budget revenues due to illegal imports. "The most risk-prone areas in terms of illegal logging are Africa and Asia. It is estimated that their total production is covered by illegal logging up to thirty percent. Following these areas is Russia with post-Soviet states and the Balkans with 17 percent illegal logging. In specific numbers, this means that around 16 million cubic meters of wood or wooden products enter the EU annually through illegal means. Within the Czech Republic itself, this amount corresponds to 100,000 cubic meters per year," specified Stanislav Moučka, director of the Certification division in the Czech Republic.