Analysis of the chemical profile of birch allegedly supplied from Poland, Ukraine, Estonia and Latvia showed that a significant part of the raw material could come from Russia or Belarus. The research concerned, among others 50 percent samples from Poland, 33 percent from Ukraine, 30 percent from Estonia and 27 percent from Latvia. Although the attempt was not large, the authors of the report considered the results as a clear warning signal and proof of insufficient supervision over the supply chain.
David Hopkins from the Timber Development UK organization said that the Russian and Belarusian origin of wood is the most likely. He pointed out that a real birch from the Baltic or Finland is produced in a limited amount, and illegal imports violates sanctions and supports the Russian economy.
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the institutions responsible for wood certification – FSC and PEFC – suspended all certificates for wood from Russia and Belarus and banned its import.
Executive director of World Forest ID, Jade Saunders, emphasized that Great Britain was one of the leaders of the sanctions against Russia, but the effectiveness of the regulations depends on the real possibilities of their enforcement. She noted that the use of chemical analysis of wood origin is a new, groundbreaking method that reveals weakness in the system and should lead the authorities to act.
