Norway will implement EU Timber regulation

Regulation 995/2010 EU laying down obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market entered into force in the European Union on the 3rd of March 2013.

The implementation of the regulation regarding timber and timber products produced in Norway will be based on existing comprehensive systems for the registration of timber and checks on compliance within national legislation on sustainable forest management.  By using the already well-developed Norwegian timber registration system, all operators will have access to necessary information on timber supplies and which forest property each supply comes from. This information is already available to Norwegian operators and authorities. 

The competent authority for timber and timber products produced in Norway will be the Agricultural Authority. The competent authority for timber and timber products imported to Norway will be the Norwegian Environmental Agency. The Norwegian Environmental Agency will carry out inspections of operators and other relevant measures regarding imported timber and timber products. 

The EFTA Surveillance Authority will have the role of the European Commission for the EEA countries, including recognition of monitoring organisations.