Info-brief: EUTR enforcement in Germany

The document outlines Germany's legal framework for the EUTR, specifically the Holzhandels-Sicherungs-Gesetz (HolzSiG), and details the roles of the Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE) and regional authorities. It describes the penalty regime, which includes criminal sanctions for intentional offences and administrative fines up to €50,000. Enforcement data shows that between mid-2013 and January 2016, the BLE checked approximately 370 operators, finding around 50 in breach. The brief also notes challenges regarding legal standing for challenging CA inaction in administrative courts.

• The EUTR is implemented in Germany through the Holzhandels-Sicherungs-Gesetz (HolzSiG), which took effect on 9 May 2013, and an administrative regulation from 25 November 2013. The Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE) serves as the Competent Authority for imported timber, while domestic timber is managed by separate authorities across 16 regions.
• Germany employs a tiered penalty system: criminal penalties (including up to one year imprisonment or fines) for intentional or repeat offences, and administrative fines up to €50,000 for breaches of prohibition and due diligence requirements. Traders can face administrative fines up to €20,000 for traceability failures.

APA

ClientEarth (2016). Info-brief: EUTR enforcement in Germany. https://www.clientearth.org/media/dvugnnn3/2016-08-30-eutr-enforcement-info-brief-in-germany-ce-en.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. Info-brief: EUTR enforcement in Germany. 2016. https://www.clientearth.org/media/dvugnnn3/2016-08-30-eutr-enforcement-info-brief-in-germany-ce-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=ClientEarth |title=Info-brief: EUTR enforcement in Germany |date=August 2016 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/dvugnnn3/2016-08-30-eutr-enforcement-info-brief-in-germany-ce-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{clientearth2016infobrief, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Info-brief: EUTR enforcement in Germany}}, institution = {ClientEarth}, year = {2016}, month = aug, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/dvugnnn3/2016-08-30-eutr-enforcement-info-brief-in-germany-ce-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }