TW Languages is working with Timber Trade Federation

TW Languages is working with the Timber Trade Federation in offering a certified business and technical translation service to members for documents relating to timber and wood products . Since the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) came into force in March 2013 ‘Operators’ must have a sound due diligence risk assessment system which satisfies the Regulations’ legal requirements.  The translation service we provide has the benefit of cost saving as well as meeting legal requirements in producing certified translations.

Benefits:

– 5% discount for TTF members on translation costs

– Further reductions in cost as all translations for TTF members are stored on one *TTF translation memory database

(*all documents for translations from TTF members are run through our TTF translation memory database where we are able to identify words which have already been translated, these words incur a lower rate).

– Satisfy some of the Regulations’ legality requirements for due diligence.

The new EU Timber Regulation forms part of the EU’s efforts to stamp out the international illegal timber trade, which is still estimated to be worth billions of Euros a year, contributes to deforestation, deprives often poor producer countries of tax revenues and curbs the ability of local populations to derive a legitimate income from sustainable and legal forestry and timber production.

The EUTR makes it an offence to ‘first place’ illegal timber on the EU market, whether that’s sourced from outside the EU or grown within it – and the definition of illegal is that of the country of origin.

The EUTR also obliges all companies, which first place timber or wood products on the EU market, termed ‘Operators’ under the Regulation, to assess the risk that they come from illegal sources. To do this, they must operate a sound due diligence risk assessment system (DDS), which satisfies the Regulations’ legality requirements. This will generally involve quizzing suppliers on their proof of legality and ensuring products are backed with relevant records and other documentation.  The Operator must obtain a range of verifiable information from this process including; product description, timber species, country of harvest, quantity, name and address of supplier and trader, and documents indicating compliance with all applicable legislation.

Criteria for assessing risk also comprise assurance of compliance with applicable legislation, including certification schemes, and third party verification. Prevalence of illegal harvesting of specific tree species should also be taken into account, as should the prevalence of illegal logging in the country of harvest, the complexity of the supply chain and whether UN or EU sanctions on timber imports apply.

For further information:  www.ttf.co.uk