The UK Government has announced plans to launch a public consultation aimed at strengthening the country’s timber regulations. The initiative was confirmed in a statement issued by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and is expected to begin later this year.
The proposed consultation follows extensive discussions over the future of timber regulation in the UK. It also comes ahead of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is scheduled to come into force at the end of 2026. The consultation is intended to ensure that the UK maintains an effective and practical regulatory framework while supporting sustainable forestry and responsible sourcing practices.
Under the proposed changes, businesses operating in Great Britain with an annual turnover exceeding £1 million and using forest commodities or wood products would be required to undertake due diligence. The purpose would be to verify that timber and forest-based products have been produced in accordance with relevant local legislation in their country of origin.
The proposal represents a significant step towards strengthening existing legal requirements for timber supply chains. Greater emphasis would be placed on responsible sourcing and legal compliance throughout the procurement process.
The consultation has been welcomed by Timber Development UK (TDUK), which has consistently advocated stronger measures to combat global deforestation and forest degradation while maintaining practical implementation for the timber sector.
David Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of TDUK, said the organisation strongly supports the objective of modernising UK timber legislation to address global environmental challenges.
According to Hopkins, aligning UK standards with evolving international regulatory frameworks, including the EUDR and recent amendments to the United States Lacey Act, would provide long-term benefits for the domestic timber industry.
He explained that greater alignment with international requirements would assist UK businesses involved in global trade while also supporting the wider adoption of sustainable forest management practices across producing countries.
Although TDUK supports stronger regulation, the organisation believes the UK should avoid directly replicating the European Union’s legislative framework without modification.
Darren Mayes, Sustainability and Supply Chain Compliance Manager at TDUK, emphasised that the EUDR should not simply be transferred into UK legislation without considering domestic market conditions and international trading relationships.
He noted that several timber-producing countries are already encountering challenges in complying with the EU regulation. According to Mayes, these implementation difficulties have created friction between producer nations and European markets.
He warned that excessive regulatory complexity could discourage producing countries from continuing investment in improving forestry practices and strengthening supply chain governance.
Instead, TDUK believes the UK has an opportunity to develop a balanced regulatory model that reflects international best practice while remaining practical for businesses.
Mayes suggested that the UK could build on its established leadership in responsible timber sourcing by creating a framework that connects the approaches adopted by the European Union, the United States and timber-producing nations already working to strengthen their forestry legislation.
The consultation is also expected to address the regulatory position of Northern Ireland.
Under existing post-Brexit arrangements, the EU Deforestation Regulation will apply to businesses operating in Northern Ireland. As a result, companies importing timber products from Great Britain into Northern Ireland will need to comply with the European requirements.
This creates additional compliance obligations for businesses trading across the UK internal market.
The implications for supply chains are expected to be considered carefully during the consultation process.
Hopkins highlighted the work already undertaken by TDUK and its members since Brexit to establish responsible sourcing systems designed specifically for the UK market.
He stated that considerable effort has been invested in developing reliable and transparent supply chains that support sustainable timber procurement.
Maintaining these achievements remains a priority for the organisation.
Hopkins also stressed the wider environmental importance of sustainably sourced timber. He said responsibly managed wood products remain one of the most effective materials available to support climate change mitigation. However, these environmental benefits can only be fully realised through continued collaboration with international supply chain partners and forest-producing countries.
TDUK has therefore encouraged the Government to ensure that the forthcoming regulatory framework remains practical, proportionate and achievable for businesses of varying sizes.
The organisation also believes that the interests of international trading partners should be considered throughout the consultation process.
Industry stakeholders are expected to participate actively as proposals are developed. Their experience will help inform regulations that strengthen legal compliance without creating unnecessary barriers to trade.
The consultation follows more than two years of industry discussions, technical workshops and ongoing developments surrounding implementation of the EUDR.
For many businesses across the UK timber sector, the Government’s announcement provides greater regulatory certainty and demonstrates continued commitment to strengthening responsible sourcing policies.
The planned consultation is also viewed as an opportunity to ensure that the UK keeps pace with evolving international timber regulations while maintaining competitive and sustainable supply chains.
As global expectations surrounding legal timber sourcing continue to increase, the forthcoming consultation is expected to play an important role in shaping the future direction of the UK timber industry and reinforcing confidence in sustainable forest product markets.
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