DHA eNews – EUDR Extension Moves Forward
With this final newsletter of 2025, I first want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and joyous New Year! 2025 has presented many changes, challenges, and opportunities in our industry. 2026 is sure to bring many more, as key issues including the hardwood plywood trade case against China, Indonesia, and Vietnam are decided. The Supreme Court is likely to rule on President Trump's reciprocal tariffs in the coming weeks, too.
With all this change, it is more important than ever for you to join us at DHA's Annual Meeting, May 12–14, in Asheville, NC. Expert speakers will cover trade and tariff rulings affecting our products, the EU Deforestation Regulation, macroeconomic trends, and other important topics affecting our industry. Registration is now open. I can’t wait to see our members there!
Not yet a member? Apply to join DHA now.
If you have questions or comments, contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.
Keith A. Christman, President
On November 26, the European Parliament approved the delay in enforcing the EU Deforestation Regulation. On December 4, the Council of the European Union reached a provisional agreement. The European Parliament is expected to ratify the EUDR delay this week. Once ratified, enforcement will begin on December 30, 2026, for large companies and June 30, 2027, for small businesses.
After reviewing comments made during the scientific peer review process, the Environmental Protection Agency released a revised draft risk evaluation for formaldehyde emissions under TSCA and requested additional comments. The draft evaluation contains significant changes, including that worker inhalation no longer contributes to unreasonable risk in wood products manufacturing.
This week, the House Rules Committee advanced a bipartisan bill, the Standardized Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, designed to speed up the federal permitting process. This bill would streamline environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It includes provisions to limit when federal agencies can revisit or undo prior environmental reviews and federal authorizations.
The House has passed the PERMIT Act, legislation designed to clarify the Clean Water Act permitting process. The bill would cut red tape, reduce regulatory burdens, and streamline and expedite the permitting process while ensuring clean water protections. The bill is supported by homebuilders.
The American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance testified at a hearing of the U.S. Trade Representative's Office on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement. The organization stated that "without strengthening the USMCA, the gains from the President’s new Section 232 tariffs on cabinets will leak straight through Canada and Mexico." DHA made similar points in our recent comments to the USTR.
Rep. Scott briefed the Trump administration on the EU Deforestation Regulation, detailing how the EUDR is both unfair and burdensome for U.S. landowners and the forest industry. President Trump responded that Europe should not be telling the U.S. how to manage its land and requested a summary of the EUDR's impact on the forestry sector.
Executives in the home furnishings industry acknowledged that tariffs, higher interest rates, and cautious consumers are negatively affecting business. They also stated that these same pressures create opportunities for businesses that are willing to be more flexible and forward-thinking.
NWFA's Wood Floor of the Year awards are now open. All wood flooring professionals are invited to submit their best work for a chance to be recognized within the wood flooring community. The deadline to submit projects is February 2.
The experts at Capital Testing—who provide input and recommendations to regulatory agencies—provide technical assistance to clients and DHA members, to keep all up to date on expected changes and what is required to stay in compliance. If you have questions about how the upcoming changes will affect your business, contact Josh Hosen.
The U.S. Forest Service announced a new wildfire risk reduction agreement with Idaho that is expected to double the state's timber production. Earlier this year, Idaho's governor signed an executive order to increase collaboration between the state and federal government to reduce wildfires and improve forest management.
Local leaders and timber industry professionals anticipate a boost to local economies due to increased logging in the Allegheny National Forest. The money from logging benefits the local timber industry, directly funds local schools, and helps maintain roads.
The recently published United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's State of the Forest Report 2025 showed that global growing stock has increased from 592 billion cubic meters to 630 billion cubic meters over the past 25 years. All regions and nearly all subregions experienced growth.
This year's Capitol Christmas tree was grown in which national forest?