- The Act -

 

Commences:

Came into effect in November 2012.

 

Affects:

Businesses importing any timber or timber products into Australia and processors of domestically grown raw logs.

 

Key elements:

The Act criminalises the importation into Australia of illegally logged timber and any product made from illegally logged timber as well as the processing of domestic raw logs which have been illegally logged.

People and companies that don't directly import timber or timber products or process domestic raw logs (i.e. many merchants, builders, retailers, secondary manufacturers and joineries) are not subject to The Act.

 

Penalties:

A maximum penalty of five years imprisonment, $85,000 for an individual and $425,000 for a corporation, plus forfeiture of timber product / raw logs applies where they are found to have to have imported or processed illegally logged timber and done so knowingly, intentionally or recklessly.

 

- The Regulation -

 

Commences:

Came into effect 30 November 2014.

 

Affects:

Businesses importing certain timber or timber products (as defined in the regulation) into Australia and processors of domestically grown raw logs.

 

Key elements:

Describe the due diligence process that businesses must undertake.

The Regulation requires importers of regulated timber products and domestic processors of raw logs to have a complying due diligence system in place to minimise the risk of importing or processing illegally logged timber.

The list of regulated timber products includes all sawn timber, decking, mouldings, plywood, particleboard, MDF, joinery items such as timber doors and windows, most pulp, paper and cardboard products as well as most timber and timber-framed furniture.

People and companies that don't directly import timber or timber products or process domestic raw logs (i.e. many merchants, builders, retailers, secondary manufacturers and joineries) are not subject to The Regulation.

 

Penalties:

From May 2016, penalties may also apply to importers who fail to comply with the due diligence.