Help notes: ILLEGAL DEFORESTATION AND TIMBER
These questions are about checking the products you use aren’t linked to illegal logging. Illegal logging is when forests are cleared in violation of national laws, often to create space to farm goods like soy, beef and palm oil. The illegal timber may be sold directly or turned into products like paper or furniture.
Illegal logging is a major global cause of species extinction risk and other biodiversity loss, also speeding up climate change and causing soil erosion. It can lead to human rights violations and other social problems, and is linked to tax evasion, fraud and bribery.
Can you show that you operate in line with UK government guidance on sourcing timber or timber products?
What is a ‘Yes’ for me?
By answering ‘yes’ to this question you are saying that your organisation operates in line with the regulatory framework in the UK i.e. the UK Timber Regulations (UKTR) and Forest Law Enforcement Government and Trade (FLEGT).
These regulations largely concern due diligence of who you buy and sell from, assessing whether sources are illegal, and mitigating risk. These activities can be done yourself or via a partner.
See the government guidance Regulations: timber and FLEGT licences – GOV.UK
Does this question apply to me? Is this a regulatory requirement?
This question is for suppliers who trade or operate in timber or timber products (including furniture or paper) as an ongoing part of their regular business. These are the organisations where UK timber regulations apply.
Traders and operators are organisations that buy or sell these products or place them on the UK market. Please check the government guidance if you are not sure if this applies to you.
There are regulations around illegal timber in the UK – see ‘What is a Yes for me?’ above.
Could you show that the products you source are not the result of illegal deforestation?
What is a ‘Yes’ for me?
By answering yes to this question you are saying you are confident that the products you use are not sourced from illegally forested areas.
For example:
- The products you source may be from known legal supply chains
- The products you source may be from the UK or other countries with very low risk of illegal deforestation. (Most illegal deforestation is reported in tropical forests in South-East Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Africa, as well as parts of Eastern Europe.)
- The products you source may be accredited by certification schemes which certify legality
Does this question apply to me? Is this a regulatory requirement?
This question is for suppliers who source products linked to illegal deforestation (like soy, beef, palm oil, leather, cocoa or rubber) as an ongoing part of their regular business. This would put you at risk of sourcing products linked to illegal logging.
There is proposed legislation in the UK about checks on commodities linked to illegal deforestation. This will apply to large organisations. As of 2025 this is not yet a regulatory requirement.
Examples of certification schemes
Below are some established certification schemes relating to products that can be linked to illegal logging. These are not the only schemes, and there are not clear certification schemes for all products.
If you do see these certifications on products, it is highly unlikely they will be linked to illegal logging. Most of these schemes also assure other aspects of the product’s production.
RainForest Alliance: (various products notably cocoa)
RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil): Palm Oil
RTRS (Roundtable on Responsible Soy): Soy
ProTerra standard: (all agricultural products, including soy)
More information about Illegal Deforestation
Fighting deforestation and illegal logging – EIA
Global deforestation through illegal logging ⋅ Natucate
Stopping Illegal Logging | Initiatives | WWF
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