NEWS

What large country lost the most forestland last year?

Answer: Russia

Source:

Statista.com: Leading countries in annual tree cover loss worldwide in 2022

DHA, the Hardwood Federation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are opposing a proposal by the Biden administration to change federal permitting requirements, as this would add more red tape to a process that already takes up to 4.5 years to complete.

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NEPA Phase 2 Coalition Extension Request (PDF)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency amended regulatory requirements for wetlands, reducing federal overreach, as a result of the recent Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the definition of Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS). Many bodies of water will no longer be subject to federal regulation unless they are both navigable and interstate, as required by the Clean Water Act. However, there continues to be uncertainty about the new rules.

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The European Commission is investigating potential illegal imports of Russian birch plywood products into the European Union. There has been a significant increase in imports of Russian birch plywood into Turkey and possibly Kazakhstan, and an increase in exports of birch plywood from both countries to the EU—although neither has been a significant producer of birch plywood in the past. The EU banned Russian wood after Russia invaded Ukraine.

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In August 2026, a new European Commission regulation will reduce the limit for formaldehyde emissions from furniture and wood-based products to 0.062 mg/m3, about 0.07 ppm. The new standards are higher than current U.S. standards for hardwood plywood, set at 0.05 ppm, but lower than those for particleboard and MDF. DHA learned that European regulators will develop guidance to make it easier for U.S.-based manufacturers to comply.

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