European UnionA company is importing illegally logged wood. How do I report this?
Report illegal logging or trade in illegally harvested timber to your national competent authority under the EU Timber Regulation. Anonymous reporting is allowed, and authorities must investigate promptly.
What the Law Says
The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) prohibits placing illegally harvested timber and timber products on the EU market. Operators must exercise due diligence and keep records for at least five years.
Under Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 (as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1984), operators — businesses that first place timber on the EU market — must not place illegally harvested timber on the market.
They must apply a due diligence system consisting of access to information, risk assessment, and risk mitigation. This includes verifying the legality of harvest, including country of origin, species, and compliance with applicable laws.
Traders (those who buy or sell timber already placed on the market) must keep records of their suppliers and customers for five years and make them available to competent authorities upon request.
Statutory TextIt shall be prohibited to place illegally harvested timber and timber products on the market.
— Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, Art. 4(1) — Prohibition
Statutory TextOperators shall exercise due diligence when placing timber or timber products on the market.
— Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, Art. 6(1) — Due diligence obligation
Statutory TextCompetent authorities shall investigate complaints received from any natural or legal person concerning possible infringements.
— Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, Art. 11(2) — Complaint handling
What to Do
Identify your national competent authority (list available via the European Commission’s EUTR website)
Submit a written or online complaint with as much detail as possible (e.g., company name, shipment details, origin, species, evidence)
Request confirmation of receipt and ask about investigation timelines (authorities must act within 90 days of receiving a substantiated complaint)
Follow up if no response is received within 90 days — you may escalate to the European Commission’s DG ENV
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.