Timber and Wood Products

Minnesota NGOs Challenge FSC Certification Of State DNR Forestry Program

Formal complaint filed to suspend Minnesota DNR’s FSC certification over alleged procedural failures and non-compliance with wildlife conservation standards. This challenge creates immediate reputational and supply chain risks for timber buyers, signaling a shift toward stricter oversight of third-party sustainability claims.

6 Apr 2026, 19:48peer.orgUnited States

Thailand Extends Implementation Timeline for Food-Contact Paper Regulation to June 2027

Thailand has proposed a one-year delay for the mandatory enforcement of food-contact paper standards (TIS 2948-2562), moving the implementation date to June 22, 2027. This extension offers a critical window for manufacturers to finalize TISI certification and ensure product compliance without disrupting market access in the immediate term.

3 Apr 2026, 18:55docs.wto.orgThailand

German Agriculture Ministry Submits EUDR Simplification Proposals to European Commission

Germany has submitted formal proposals to the European Commission to simplify EUDR implementation, ahead of a late-April 2026 deadline for the Commission to present further administrative relief options. If adopted, these changes would significantly reduce the compliance burden for downstream operators and small-scale producers by shifting due diligence focus to the point of first entry into the EU market.

3 Apr 2026, 18:09bmleh.deEuropean UnionGermany

U.S. Commerce Initiates AD/CVD Administrative Reviews Covering Sodium Nitrite and Other Products

The U.S. Department of Commerce has initiated administrative reviews of antidumping and countervailing duty orders for various products, including sodium nitrite from India, with final results expected by February 2027. Affected importers and manufacturers must meet strict procedural deadlines in Q2 2026 to contest or preserve duty rates, directly impacting supply chain costs and market competitiveness.

2 Apr 2026, 09:33federalregister.govUnited States

Portugal ACT Announces Portuguese ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry Work

Portugal's labor authority has promoted the revised ILO Code of Practice for forestry safety, establishing updated international benchmarks for the sector. While non-binding, businesses should adopt these guidelines to align with evolving inspectorate expectations for risk management and contractor oversight.

1 Apr 2026, 14:22ilo.orgPortugal

US Commerce Announces Preliminary Antidumping Review Results for Thermal Paper From Germany (2023–2024)

US Commerce issued preliminary antidumping review results for German thermal paper, proposing zero or minimal margins for key exporters. Importers should prepare for potential duty adjustments and monitor the final determination to secure favorable cash-deposit rates for future shipments.

28 Mar 2026, 16:28public-inspection.federalregister.govUnited States

Netherlands Customs Publishes VGEM Handbook Chapters on Non-Animal Foods, Feed, FLEGT and Medicines

Dutch Customs has updated the VGEM handbook chapters for non-animal food, feed, timber, and medicines to clarify border enforcement and administrative procedures. Companies should align internal compliance and declaration processes with these operational guidelines to mitigate risks of delays or irregularities during customs clearance.

27 Mar 2026, 18:37kennisbank.douane.nlNetherlands

Japan Amends Ordinance on Promotion of Recycled Resource Use From Designated Construction By-Products

Japan has updated the criteria for promoting the reuse of construction by-products, effective April 1, 2026, to align with broader resource efficiency and decarbonization laws. Construction firms should review internal recycling and waste management protocols for materials like soil and concrete to ensure compliance with the revised legal framework.

27 Mar 2026, 16:22kanpo.go.jpJapan

US Commerce Issues Preliminary Countervailing Duty Determination on High Purity Dissolving Pulp From Brazil

US Commerce has issued a preliminary 3.67% countervailing duty on high purity dissolving pulp from Brazil, effective March 25, 2026. Importers must now post cash deposits for entries, signaling immediate cost increases and potential trade diversions for critical cellulose-based industrial feedstocks.

27 Mar 2026, 07:57federalregister.govUnited States

Alabama ADEM Seeks Comment on Draft Title V Permit Renewal for Rex Lumber Troy Mill

Alabama has proposed the renewal of a Title V air permit for a major sawmill facility, with public comments accepted until April 23, 2026. This renewal maintains existing emission limits, ensuring operational continuity and stable compliance requirements for major source air emissions.

27 Mar 2026, 07:52adem.alabama.govUnited States

Netherlands Answers Senate Questions on EU‑Mercosur Agreement, EUDR Delay and Hazardous Pesticide Imports

The EU is significantly increasing third-country food safety audits and border controls through 2027, while evaluating new restrictions on hazardous pesticide residues in imported goods. While the EUDR delay provides temporary relief, companies must prepare for heightened supply chain scrutiny and potential market access barriers for products treated with substances banned in the EU.

27 Mar 2026, 07:46open.overheid.nlNetherlandsEuropean Union

US OSHA Seeks Comment on Extension of Logging Operations Standard Information Collection Requirements

OSHA is proposing to extend information collection and record-keeping requirements for the Logging Operations Standard through May 2026. While safety standards remain unchanged, businesses must continue maintaining inspection records and written reports to ensure ongoing compliance with federal occupational safety oversight.

26 Mar 2026, 19:30federalregister.govUnited States

Japan Specifies Forest Carbon Stock-Change Amounts Under Greenhouse Gas Reporting Order

Japan has published specific calculation methods and coefficients for forest carbon stock changes under the GHG Reporting Order, effective April 2026. This formalizes how businesses quantify carbon removals and storage in land-use and timber products, increasing reporting precision for climate disclosure.

26 Mar 2026, 11:35kanpo.go.jpJapan

EU Publishes 3rd Edition of EUDR Supply Chain Infographics

The European Commission has released updated EUDR supply chain infographics to reflect the 2025 simplification amendments and revised implementation timelines. Businesses should use this guidance to re-verify their specific due diligence obligations and supply chain roles under the streamlined regulatory framework.

26 Mar 2026, 09:41op.europa.euEuropean Union

Croatia Establishes Demarcated Areas for Anoplophora chinensis Eradication

Croatia established new demarcated zones in Zadar and Zagreb counties for Anoplophora chinensis eradication, effective March 28, 2026. Affected operators must implement mandatory plant destruction and movement restrictions for host plants and wood to comply with EU biosecurity standards.

25 Mar 2026, 21:45narodne-novine.nn.hrCroatia

EU Council: Delegations' Comments on Revised Draft Conclusions for EU Bioeconomy Strategy

EU Member States are finalizing Council conclusions on the Bioeconomy Strategy, signaling a shift toward prioritizing bio-based materials and industrial competitiveness. Businesses should anticipate future legislative and funding frameworks that favor biological resources, requiring strategic alignment of R&D and supply chain investments.

25 Mar 2026, 21:36data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

EU General Court Upholds Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act Forestry and Bioenergy Criteria (Case T‑575/22)

The EU General Court has upheld the technical screening criteria for forestry and bioenergy under the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act, dismissing a legal challenge by environmental NGOs. This ruling provides legal certainty for sustainable finance disclosures and confirms the Commission's broad discretion to align taxonomy criteria with existing EU climate and energy frameworks.

20 Mar 2026, 06:21eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

France National Assembly Committee Publishes Report And Rejects REP PMCB Bill Favouring Wood

The French National Assembly's Committee on Sustainable Development has rejected a bill to exclude wood from the construction materials EPR scheme, while signaling a broader government overhaul of the REP PMCB framework. Companies should prepare for a shift toward performance-based ecocontributions and stricter anti-fraud enforcement, with a likely 1 January 2027 deadline for previously deferred take-back and traceability obligations.

20 Mar 2026, 06:20assemblee-nationale.frFrance

EU Proposes REACH Annex XVII Update for Creosote-Treated Wood and Notifies WTO

The EU has notified the WTO of a draft REACH amendment to tighten restrictions on creosote-treated wood, aligning Annex XVII with stricter Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) standards. Businesses must prepare for a general ban on the reuse and second-hand sale of treated wood to the public, alongside new record-keeping and Member State-specific restrictions for professional uses.

18 Mar 2026, 15:52docs.wto.orgEuropean Union

Brazil Culture Committee Approves Bill Adding Textbooks and Legal Books to National Solid Waste Reverse Logistics

Brazil's Culture Committee has approved a bill to mandate reverse logistics for textbooks and legal books under the National Solid Waste Policy. This expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requires publishers and distributors to establish take-back systems while offering tax incentives for sustainable production practices.

13 Mar 2026, 17:18camara.leg.brBrazil