MORLAND – Helping to Advance Sustainable Forestry Practices Worldwide

Morland is committed to sourcing, procuring, and placing on the market only sustainable, legally and ethically harvested timber-based products.

We are proud to be certified under the FSC® and PEFC® Chain of Custody certification schemes, two of the most widely recognised forest certification systems aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable forestry practices worldwide.

Where products are uncertified, Morland applies the same robust due diligence processes when sourcing and procuring timber-based materials. This includes maintaining strict controls across our supply chains, carrying out detailed risk assessments, undertaking regular site audits, and ensuring compliance with our responsibility to help advance sustainable forestry practices globally.

Morland recognises and meets its legal obligations under both the UK Timber Regulation (UKTR) and the relevant European Timber Regulations.

A Long-Term Commitment to Sustainability

Morland has been operating for over 50 years, and we fully intend to be operating for another 50. To ensure long-term success, we recognise that sustainability must extend beyond profit alone. This is why the three pillars of People, Planet and Profit sit at the heart of our business strategy.

Our approach to sustainability is not about simply ticking boxes; it is a fundamental pillar of how we operate and make decisions.

As a wood-based manufacturer, our business depends on a reliable supply of legally harvested and sustainable raw materials. Without this, we cannot operate effectively. For this reason, we place a strong emphasis on compliance and transparency from our selected supply chain partners.

Certification, Traceability and Due Diligence

The FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC® (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) Chain of Custody (CoC) schemes are robust systems designed to track certified wood and forest products through every stage of the supply chain, from responsibly managed forests to the final consumer.

These schemes ensure transparency, prevent illegal or unsustainable timber from entering certified supply chains, and provide full traceability from forest to end user. Compliance with these standards is verified through independent third-party audits, including audits carried out at Morland.

In addition, audits of our selected suppliers in both the Far East and Europe, along with comprehensive due diligence risk assessments, are conducted prior to entering into any supply agreements.

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

In June 2023, the European Union introduced the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) as part of a broader strategy to prohibit the trade of products linked to deforestation and forest degradation. The regulation covers seven key commodities and their derived products: wood, soy, rubber, palm oil, coffee, cocoa and cattle.

The regulation distinguishes between Operators and Traders, with obligations varying depending on classification.

An Operator is defined by the European Commission as a natural or legal person who places relevant products on the EU market for the first time (including via import) or exports them as part of a commercial activity. Operators are required to submit a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) via the EU TRACES system for all relevant shipments. This confirms that products are legally produced, deforestation-free, and includes traceability data down to geolocation coordinates of the land where the commodities were produced or harvested.

A Downstream Operator is defined as an organisation that transforms a product listed in Annex I (which has already undergone due diligence) into another Annex I product. Downstream Operators must maintain digital traceability, ensuring every shipment or batch can be linked back to a valid DDS. In simple terms:

Primary Operators generate compliance data, including DDS and geolocation

Downstream Operators preserve and maintain that data through each stage of transformation

A Trader is any business within the supply chain that makes relevant products available on the market after they have already been placed there. This includes distributors, wholesalers and retailers. Traders must retain and provide original DDS reference numbers for all regulated products sold.

Implementation Timelines and Morland’s Position

Following the postponement announced at the end of 2025, Medium and Large Enterprises will be required to comply with EUDR by 30 December 2026, while Micro and Small Enterprises must comply by 30 June 2027.

In Great Britain, the UK Timber Regulation (UKTR) remains in force. However, EUDR compliance will still be required for businesses exporting to the EU and Northern Ireland.

As both an Operator and Downstream Operator, Morland has been working closely with its supply chain partners to prepare for EUDR implementation. This ensures that all relevant products are deforestation-free, fully traceable, and compliant ahead of the regulatory deadline.

Morland’s relevant products typically fall under EU commodity classifications (CN codes) 4410, 4411, and 4412. Customers purchasing Morland products listed in Annex I and transforming them into new Annex I products will also be classed as Downstream Operators under the regulation.

Supporting Our Customers

Morland encourages all customers exporting products into the EU or Northern Ireland to review Annex I of the EUDR to determine whether their products are regulated. Where applicable, customers should ensure that appropriate due diligence systems are in place, including measures to collect, organise and retain required data for a minimum of five years.

Further guidance, including FAQs and implementation resources, is available through the official European Commission EUDR Guidance on Deforestation-Free Products.

*All information is correct at the time of publishing