A New Era in Preventing Deforestation in the Furniture Industry Is Beginning

This regulation, which the European Union adopted on June 29, 2023, and which will take effect at the end of 2025, is not merely an environmental policy; it is also regarded as a new trade standard that reshapes global trade rules.

Müjdat Kemer, Chair of the Furniture Working Committee at the Aegean Furniture, Paper, and Forest Products Exporters’ Association, stated, “With $4.5 billion in exports, Turkey’s furniture sector is a strong player on the world stage today. However, with the EUDR, it is no longer just production quality that will be scrutinized, but the transparency of the entire supply chain—from raw materials to the final product. This regulation mandates traceable production that utilizes sustainable resources and does not contribute to deforestation. We at EMKOÜİB view this not as an obstacle, but as a global opportunity that will enhance our sector’s brand value. To prepare our companies for this process, we are planning training sessions, software-based traceability systems, and guidance initiatives coordinated with the EU. If we interpret the process correctly, Turkish furniture will stand out not only for its design but also for its sustainability,” he said.

WE PLACE GREAT IMPORTANCE ON ENCOURAGING MORE COMPANIES IN OUR PAPER SECTOR TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCESS

Müjdat Kemer said, “Paper and packaging products account for $575 million of our association’s total exports of $940 million. Our paper and packaging sector accounts for 25 percent of Turkey’s paper product exports, and this figure clearly demonstrates the strong production and export capacity of the sectors under the EMKOÜİB umbrella. We were extremely pleased with the strong participation from our paper sector in our panel. “We place great importance on encouraging more companies in our paper sector to become involved in this process. Because if we all take ownership of this transformation together, we will not only achieve compliance with the EUDR but also rise to the status of a country recognized in the European market for its sustainable production and ability to make a difference,” he said.

EUDR: THE NEW PASSPORT FOR TRADE

Elif Berrak Taşyürek, Director of the EU Single Market and Green Deal Department at the Ministry of Trade, stated, “The EUDR is not merely an environmental regulation; it is the new passport for trade. The EU no longer looks at a product’s design or price; it examines the coordinates of the tree harvested from the forest where it was produced, its carbon emissions, and whether it contributes to deforestation. As the Ministry, we are both managing the regulatory compliance process and developing roadmaps to help our sectors prepare for this transformation. Companies that fulfill their obligations on time will not only continue to have access to the EU market but will also gain a competitive advantage as ‘low-risk’ suppliers,” he said.

Metin Ünlü, Director of the Certification, Standards, and Business Development Branch at the General Directorate of Forests, said, “Turkey is one of the few countries increasing its forest cover. As the General Directorate of Forestry, we have a dual responsibility: to protect nature and to prevent our producers and exporters from being excluded from the international market. We are entering a new era in which our companies are required to accurately collect data from the field. Although this may seem like a challenging process, I can say this clearly: If we manage this transformation correctly, Turkey can become a global benchmark in the production of sustainable forest products. Companies that prepare for this shift, embrace digitalization, and establish a traceability infrastructure will be able to confidently ship their products not only to the EU but to every market in the world. The future of our forests and the future of our exports must now be discussed at the same table. That is why the panel we are holding here today is not merely a presentation of regulations; it marks the beginning of Turkey’s vision for sustainable production.”