The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released a new guide on due diligence for importers and processors of timber products. Though not mandatory, this guide helps assess the risk of the product containing illegally logged timber and mitigate the risk if ever.

In this guide, there are also available separate toolkits that outline the five key due diligence steps, that are aligned with illegal logging laws and the way that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry conduct compliance audits.

Some of the items covered by Australia’s Illegal Logging Due Diligence requirements include:

• Envelopes, postcards, correspondence cards
• Toilet and Tissue Paper
• Paper/Cardboard Cartons, Boxes, Cases and Bags
• Notebooks, Diaries, Exercise books
• Paper/Paperboard Labels
• Wooden Furniture
• Prefabricated Buildings containing wood

For a full list of regulated timber products, visit the Regulated Timber Products Page.

Toolkit for Importers

Toolkit for Processors

Additionally, risk assessment templates were updated for better guidance; these are steps on how to go through each risk assessment method under illegal logging laws.

Risk assessment template for Importers

Risk assessment template for Processors

Understanding Risk Mitigation

The mitigation process happens when you have not concluded a low risk rating after the risk assessment process. Risk mitigation needs to be undertaken before importing or processing regulating timber, this is step 4 of the due diligence process.

This process needs to be aligned and in accordance with the identified risk. In this process, you may need to get more information about the timber products and reassess the risk that it contains illegally logged timber. If you are found to have imported or processed illegally logged timber, this can translate to serious penalties.

Most importantly, you need to have a complete written record of all the risk assessment and mitigation steps that you have taken, which needs to be in accordance with the allowed time frame of five years from the date of import or processing of the product. You will also need these records in the event of an audit.

For more information on risk mitigation, you may visit the following:

Risk mitigation guide for Importers

Risk mitigation guide for Processors

For more information and expert advice, please get in touch with McHugh and Eastwood’s Customer Service Team at customerservice@mcheast.com.au.

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