«Businesses are astonished when we explain the complexity of the new regulation and the impact it will have on them, also in terms of costs, especially exporting ones, which risk having their goods blocked at customs». Alessandro Calcaterra, president of Fedecomlegno, the FederlegnoArredo association that represents importers, thus describes the reaction of Friulian entrepreneurs to the first meeting organized by the Federation in Friuli, to explain the mechanisms and consequences of Eudr, the EU regulation on deforestation which entered in force last June, which will take effect on businesses from December 31st.
Unless, as requested by all the European associations in the wood-furniture sector, Brussels decides to extend its application or, better yet, to modify some parts of it. The latter is an option that businesses have little faith in: «So far no one from Brussels has shown interest in a discussion with businesses and this is demonstrated by the fact that this regulation is a bureaucratic monster that will make life impossible for many small businesses, which they do not have the tools to fulfill all the traceability requests required by the new legislation”, adds Calcaterra.
The channel with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is open and collaborative, but national governments will be able to do little if and when this regulation is implemented with its sanctions system.
What does the Eudr regulation provide?
Let’s take a step back: The EUDR broadens the range of materials and products taken into consideration by the previous Regulation (995 of 2010, known as Eutr), which established obligations for operators who traded wood and products derived from it, to combat deforestation illegal and the trade associated with it: in addition to wood, melamine paper, leather and rubber are included, materials that furniture companies use. Not only that: if previously the tracking obligation was limited to wood traders, now this obligation is also extended to furniture makers, because all products to be exported will have to be certified, including those destined for Europe itself. But reconstructing the entire supply chain that makes the creation of a piece of furniture possible – which often includes the work of eight or ten companies, sometimes small and micro – is very difficult for those who do not have the right tools or business structures.
The sense of disorientation is widespread, says the president of the Furniture Cluster, Matteo Tonon: «This is what we feel when faced with a regulation which, in reality, regulates already virtuous and protected behavior towards the future and which, although in principle correct , in practice it would only burden our businesses and the entire supply chain with bureaucratic requirements.”
#Deforestation #wood #companies #extension #regulation
2024-03-24 18:31:02