PEFC suspends PEFC Russia

Driven by demand for polypropylene and polyethylene, plastics recycler EFS-plastics is opening a processing site in Lethbridge, Alberta. The 70,000-square-foot facility will increase EFS’s processing capacity by 10,000 metric tons per year, a 20% jump, a press release said. Beginning in the first week of April, EFS will accept bales of plastics Nos. 3-7 and 1-7 from materials recovery facilities (MRFs) in the western United States and Canada, building on “the strong relationships that EFS has developed with [w]estern MRFs since the Chinese National Sword Policy limited export of residential plastics in 2018,” the press release said.

The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a transformative piece of legislation aimed at halting global deforestation by imposing stringent compliance measures on businesses importing or exporting commodities associated with forest degradation. While its environmental impact is undisputed, the ripple effect on global supply chains is profound, influencing not only operational frameworks but also the future landscape of supply chain management. 1. Redefining Supply Chain Transparency - The EUDR mandates companies to prove that their supply chains are deforestation-free, requiring traceability of products from their origin to the point of sale. 2. Increased Costs and Compliance Burden - Businesses must invest in data collection technologies, hire specialists, and reconfigure their supply chains to guarantee that raw materials sourced are in line with EUDR mandates. 3. Risk Mitigation and Strategic Shifts - Companies are prioritizing partnerships with suppliers that can provide clear evidence of sustainable practices, while others are exploring new sourcing regions where deforestation concerns are less pressing. 4. The Role of Technology in EUDR Compliance - Technology plays a critical role in ensuring EUDR compliance, with digital solutions offering the most promising avenue for companies to track, verify, and audit their supply chains. 5. The Future of Global Supply Chains Under EUDR - As the EUDR continues to reshape the regulatory landscape, the future of global supply chains will see a heavier emphasis on sustainability, traceability, and accountability.

The landmark EU anti-deforestation Regulation (EUDR) enters into force. The EUDR provisions will become applicable as of 30 December 2024. FSC has supported the development of the EUDR since the beginning, and is now ready to work together with the EU Commission, EU Competent Authorities, NGOs, and businesses to make it a success. The EUDR prohibits placing or exporting products in/from the EU market that do not comply with its legality and sustainability requirements. Companies must conduct due diligence to ensure that the products they source are legal and are not linked to land that has been deforested or degraded after 31 December 2020. The EUDR's main goal is to reduce the EU's impact on global deforestation by promoting the consumption of ‘deforestation-free’ products.