These overviews of timber source countries have been produced by UNEP-WCMC for the European Commission to support the work of Competent Authorities in implementing the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and the FLEGT Regulation. They will also be of use to EU operators and wider stakeholders.

The EU Timber Regulation (Regulation (EU) No 995/2010) counters the trade in illegally harvested timber and timber products through laying down obligations to operators (those who place timber or timber products on the EU market for the first time), traders (those who, in the course of a commercial activity, sell or buy timber already placed on the internal market) and Competent Authorities (national authorities  responsible for the application of EUTR). Operators who place timber products on the EU market for the first time must exercise ‘due diligence’ – a risk management exercise to minimise the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market. Competent Authorities should also plan their checks on operators using a risk-based approach. Information on the risks of illegality from different timber source countries and timber supply chains is therefore central to the successful implementation of EUTR.

Country overviews were produced following a thorough review of the publicly available literature, as well as requesting additional information from national Competent Authorities and experts. To ensure the accuracy, relevance and completeness of the content, country overviews have been subject to extensive peer review, including by relevant national ministries/agencies and in-country experts, the European Commission and EU Competent Authorities, with special thanks to expert input from EFI EU FLEGT Facility.

Recognising that risks of illegality in different countries and within different timber supply chains may change over time, these country overviews will be updated periodically based on available information. Specific inputs can be sent to timber@unep-wcmc.org at any time, for potential inclusion in the next update.

These country overviews were developed by UNEP-WCMC for the European Commission. However, their content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of UN Environment, the European Commission, contributory organisations, editors or publishers, and they cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. The designations employed and the presentations of material in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UN Environment, the European Commission, contributory organisations, editors or publishers concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries or the designation of its name, frontiers or boundaries. The mention of a commercial entity or product in this publication does not imply endorsement by any of the above.