Die EU Timber Regulation und ihre Konsequenzen für die Schweiz

Abstract

The EU Timber Regulation and its implications for Switzerland In 2012, almost 96% of all Swiss wood exports were delivered into the European Union (EU). Since March 3rd, 2013, these exports are subject to the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). Besides the Voluntary Partnership Agreements, this regulation constitutes the second policy package under the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action Plan (EU-FLEGT). The first part of this paper discusses the aims of the new timber regulation as a measure to combat illegal logging and illegal timber trade. The second part builds on expert interviews that were conducted with representatives of the industry, ministries, inter-trade organizations, as well as a politician and summarizes first experiences since the implementation of the policy as well as expected implications for the Swiss timber export sector. Moreover, four possible courses of action for Switzerland that were raised in the expert interviews are discussed: 1) integrating the EU Timber Regulation into the regulation on the declaration of wood and wood products, 2) creating a Swiss Timber Regulation in the course of the revision of the environmental protection law, 3) proactively providing information while avoiding a change of laws, and 4) a government guarantee for Swiss wood.