Will rubber products be denied market access in the EU?

While some have raised eyebrows at the exclusion of peatland, savannah and coconuts, rubber products that are associated with deforestation will most definitely be denied market access in the EU. Companies trading rubber and rubber-based products on the EU market will need to change their business processes to comply with the Regulation.

Why should Macedonia implement European standards for product safety?

The Government expects that the implementation of the European standards for product safety will increase the competitiveness of the Macedonian economy and will facilitate its inclusion in the internal market, which should affect the growth of economic activity as a whole.

Should rubber be excluded from EU regulations?

In an open letter to the European Commission, key players in the industry said that, should rubber be excluded from the regulation, “hundreds of vulnerable groups will be pushed further into poverty, and forests toward greater destruction.” Granted, these concerns weren’t shared industry-wide.

Do distributors need to check if a product is EU compliant?

As a distributor, you should ensure the product is in conformity with EU law when placed on the market. If the rules change after the product has been placed on the market, you are not required to check whether it is still compliant.

Does EU deforestation-free products include rubber?

Early drafts of the EU’s Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products did not include rubber. In fact, later drafts didn’t either. This in spite of a 2018 Fern briefing that estimated 3m hectares of forest had been lost since 2000 and the fact that the EU remains the destination for 25% of the rubber produced globally.

Can I import products from the EU?

As an importer, you must ensure that the products you import conform to EU law. If they do not, you cannot import them. If you have already imported them, you must withdraw or recall them. In the event that the products you have placed on the EU market turn out to pose a risk to health and safety or to the environment, you must inform your