On 3 March, the new EU Timber regulation that prohibits the placing of illegally harvested timber on the European market in an effort to tackle the problem of illegal logging across the world, entered into force.

The European Commission announced that the new EU Timber regulation entered into force on 3 March. The new law affects both imported and domestically produced timber and timber products, and it covers an extensive range of products, from paper and pulp to solid wood and flooring. In particular, it bans the placing of illegally harvested timber on the European market in an effort to tackle the problem of illegal logging across the world. In November 2011, the EU signed an agreement with the Central African Republic to prevent illegal wood imports.

With the new legislation, traders who buy or sell timber already on the market are required to keep adequate records so that the wood they deal in can be easily traced. Anyone who first places a timber product on the EU market must apply "due diligence" to ensure that the wood they are trading is legal. In fact, operators now have to undertake a risk management exercise to minimise the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market.

According to the Commission, the main aim of the new legislation is to put in place procedures to minimise the risk of illegal wood being traded. Illegal logging is the harvesting of wood in a way that breaches the laws or regulations of the country of harvest. It poses a significant threat to forests as it contributes to deforestation and forest degradation, which is responsible for about 20% of global CO2 emissions.