Certification, Due Diligence and Declarations: Legal Instruments Addressing Deforestation and Illegal Logging in Global Supply Chains

Deforestation and Illegal Logging in Global Supply Chains – Whitepaper Overview

Regulations governing deforestation and illegal logging are rapidly expanding in scope and stringency worldwide. For companies sourcing or trading forest-based products, staying ahead of these evolving legal requirements is essential to ensure continued compliance, protect market access, and maintain responsible supply chains.

This whitepaper provides a concise overview of national laws targeting deforestation and illegal logging, emphasizing regulations that require supply chain due diligence and certification schemes. It includes a comparative analysis in table format of regulatory scope and core compliance requirements, focusing on how these frameworks promote responsible sourcing and traceability.

What it Covers:

This whitepaper gives expert insights into the illegal logging and deforestation compliance landscape in the following geographies:

• European Union: EU Timber Regulation, EU Deforestation Regulation
• United Kingdom: The Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulation 2013, Environment Act 2021
• Switzerland: Timber Trade Ordinance 2021, Amended Environmental Protection Act 2019
• Australia: Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (Amended in 2024), Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024
• United States: Lacey Act 2008
• Indonesia: Timber Legality Verification System and Sustainability (SVLK)
• Japan: Clean Wood Act (Revised in 2023)
• South Korea: Sustainable Use of Timber Act 2012 (Revised in 2017 & 2024)

*This whitepaper was originally published on 2nd September, 2025. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.

Authors

Hannah Janknecht, Regulatory Compliance Specialist, Compliance & Risks

Hannah joined the Global Regulatory Compliance Team in Compliance & Risks as a Regulatory Specialist in September 2022. She is responsible for the monitoring of regulatory developments in German-speaking countries and helps clients with questions on Textiles, Illegal Logging Legislation, ESG Reporting and Supply Chain Due Diligence.

Hannah studied law in Germany (University of Bonn) and holds an LL.M. in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from University College Cork.