Wood-derived biofuel may be impacted by EU legislation

New EU rules to reduce the prevalence of illegally logged timber in imports to the continent could impact on biofuel derived from wood.

Under classification 4401 of the legislation's annex, wood in logs, chips, sawdust and waste forms is all brought under the remit of the new regulations.

They place a due diligence duty of care on importers to ensure that the wood they purchase from overseas has been felled in accordance with the laws of its country of origin.

According to the Timber Trade Federation, there is still work to be done before the legislation is finalised and passed into law by the European Commission.

"We understand that European timber and woodworking industries would be involved in this process as the Commission wants to ensure a workable system and regulation," the trade body says.

In addition to its potential impact on biofuel production, the regulations are to affect a broad variety of wood-based disciplines from veneers to parquet flooring.