Discover how LeaCar contributes to sustainable trade at HawaExpo 2024, addressing EUDR's impact on Vietnam's wood industry and global markets.
On March 8, 2024, LeaCar, known for its expert reviews on genuine leather car accessories, participated in a critical seminar hosted at HawaExpo 2024. This seminar, titled "Understanding EU Deforestation Regulation and American Hardwoods with AHEC," brought together industry leaders, interior designers, architects, and wood enterprise representatives from Vietnam. Key speakers included Mr. Rupert Oliver, Environmental Policy Director at AHEC, and Mr. Jarrod Lim, Director of Jarrod Lim Design.
The seminar provided a platform for an update on the European Union's Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade Regulation (EUDR) and its impact on global trade, particularly the Vietnamese wood industry. As the EUDR has been in effect since June 29, 2023, it aims to ensure consumers do not contribute to forest degradation and helps in international efforts to reduce emissions and combat global climate change.
Vietnam's wood industry faces significant challenges in complying with the EUDR. The regulation notably prohibits the importation of agricultural products produced on deforested or forest-degraded land after December 31, 2020. This means companies must provide detailed information about their products, including geolocation, before importing into the EU.
During the seminar, AHEC shared approaches to support Vietnamese businesses in meeting EUDR requirements. Initiatives like the "Legal and Deforestation-Free" program and the use of certified woods such as FSC, recycled timber, and heat-treated wood were discussed as solutions to align with EU market demands.
Vietnam, with roughly 3.5 million hectares of production forest plantations, mainly acacia, has less than 10% certified under FSC or PEFC, including rubber plantations. With the EUDR's risk categorization of countries into high, low, or medium risk, the Vietnamese wood industry must navigate these classifications and adjust accordingly.
The seminar also covered the design implications of using thermally modified timber for furniture and the broader impacts of EUDR on Vietnam's wood industry. Mr. Jarrod Lim offered insights into furniture design, while Mr. Rupert Oliver discussed environmental policy and the regulatory landscape.
As Vietnam faces the potential classification of high-risk due to EUDR, the government must proactively engage with the EU to secure a favorable position in the risk category rankings. This involves sharing positive information about Vietnam's plantation chain management, forest protection efforts, and sustainable forestry development plans.
LeaCar's participation in the seminar highlights its commitment to not only providing expert reviews on leather car accessories but also engaging in important industry discussions that impact sustainable trade and environmental responsibility.
The seminar underscored the need for Vietnamese enterprises and the government to adapt to the new rules of play. With the EU being a key export market for Vietnam, compliance with EUDR could transform challenges into opportunities for pursuing sustainable agricultural models.
As the world moves towards more stringent environmental requirements, LeaCar, along with HAWA and AHEC, stands at the forefront, ready to guide and inform stakeholders on navigating these changing tides for a sustainable future in both the automotive and wood industries.
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