NEWS

After the Forest Stewardship Council suspended all Russian FSC trade certificates beginning April 8, FSC Russia announced the launch of a Russian scheme for voluntary forest certification: Forest Etalon.

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The European Commission has adopted sweeping new sanctions against Russia, including banning imports of wood, coal, chemicals, and other products.

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DHA partnered with the Floor Covering Institute and National Wood Flooring Association to provide a webinar on the impact of Russian birch plywood restrictions on the U.S. engineered wood flooring market. Panelists discussed the regulation of Russian birch products, testing, and alternatives.

Webinar

House Republicans introduced the No Timber From Tyrants Act that would ban wood imports from Russia. The bill would also authorize sustainable increases in the timber harvest on federal lands to make up for the shortfall from Russia, which will be substantial—last year, the U.S. imported 567 million square feet of hardwood plywood from Russia. Unfortunately, the legislation lacks Democratic support so it is unlikely to become law.

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On April 8, the U.S. suspended normal trade relations with Russia and banned Russian energy imports after President Biden signed both bills into law. The trade bill, which the Senate passed 100-0, also revokes Belarus' normal trade relations with the U.S.

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