NEWS

At Forest Legality Week, the World Resources Institute demonstrated a new searchable database of documents that were previously difficult to obtain. The web platform promotes compliance with legal requirements in timber harvest and trade by compiling information from government, private sector, and third-party monitors. Currently focused on the Congo Basin, the tool will be expanded to other high-risk regions.

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Lumber Liquidators recently settled a $30 million class-action lawsuit with the Dana Gold group over its sales of imported Chinese flooring that failed to meet formaldehyde emission requirements. The settlement includes $14 million in cash and another $14 million in store-credit vouchers.

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Lumber Liquidators Discloses $30M Settlement

Scott Sandlin, Shaw's senior vice president of sales, competed in the Ironman race in Hawaii to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The race included a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a full 26.2-mile marathon.

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo said that his country can take advantage of the U.S.-China trade war by promoting the Indonesian timber and furniture industries. Policies crafted to support his plan include value-added tax exemptions for logs and loosening certain licensing requirements of the timber legality assurance system (SVLK).

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The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the completion of its recent review and published the preliminary results which will continue the current countervailing duty rates for most Chinese exporters of hardwood plywood. A comment period will ensue.

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