Alarming Figures: 45,000 Workers in Serbia’s Wood Industry Facing the Impact of New EU Environmental Rules
Nearly 8,000 companies in Serbia’s wood industry, employing around 45,000 people, will face strict new EU sustainability requirements. The latest results of the Sustainability Analysis of the Wood Supply Chain in Line with ESG Standards show that awareness of these requirements among domestic businesses remains critically low, directly putting Serbian exports at risk.
The sector is particularly exposed because as many as 72% of domestic companies are export-oriented, while more than 60% sell their products specifically on the European Union market.
The research findings reveal concerning levels of unpreparedness among domestic companies:
- Only 18% of companies are familiar with the basic principles of sustainability.
- As many as 89% of companies are not familiar with the relevant EU regulations at all.
What Does the EUDR Regulation Bring?
The biggest unknown for domestic businesses is the EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation). This regulation strictly requires that products placed on the European market must not originate from deforested or degraded forest land.
Given that the majority of Serbian companies export to the EU, a lack of familiarity with this requirement could create serious barriers and lead to the loss of international customers.
Buyers Are Already Requesting Evidence, While Recycling Remains Minimal
Pressure from the European market has already begun, with as many as 62% of domestic companies already receiving direct questions from customers and partners about the origin of the raw materials they use.
Experts warn that the key to the sustainability and long-term survival of this sector lies in the use of alternative raw materials. Despite this, currently only 13% of companies in Serbia use recycled materials in their production.
Follow our website regularly! In the coming period, we will continue to monitor this topic in detail and regularly publish the latest news, analyses and practical guidelines related to ESG standards and EUDR requirements, helping you protect your exports and adapt your business in time.