4 July 2016
Who does this notice affect?
The illegal logging laws affect businesses that import regulated timber and timber products of specific Customs tariff codes within Chapters 44 (wood and wood articles), 47 (pulp), 48 (paper and paperboard) and 94 (furniture) into Australia.
This notice affects importers of regulated timber products and processors of Australian harvested logs who hold FSC and/or PEFC (including AFS) Chain of Custody (CoC) certification.
What has changed?
FSC and/or PEFC (including AFS) CoC certified businesses are able to rely on their current procedures and/or work instructions to comply with the due diligence system requirements. This means that no separate Due Diligence System is required to be maintained to be compliant with section 9 and 18 of the Illegal Logging Prohibition Regulation 2012.
CoC certified businesses will still need to comply with the other sections of the regulation - gathering information, risk assessment, risk mitigation and record keeping requirements of the regulation.
The full notice has been published on the Department of Agriculture website and can be accessed at: Compliance advice notices.
Further information?
You can direct any questions regarding your obligations under the illegal logging laws to ILCA or by phoning the department on 1800 657 313.
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