Bosnia and Herzegovina already possesses significant capacities to adapt to new European requirements and has taken important steps toward establishing sustainable and transparent supply chains. As the first country in the region to adopt a national FSC standard, the country is positioning itself as a regional leader in meeting the European Union’s environmental and trade standards.
These conclusions were highlighted at a conference in Sarajevo dedicated to preparing domestic companies for the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which will affect all businesses exporting covered products to the EU market.
Although Bosnia and Herzegovina is not a member of the European Union, the regulation will directly impact companies that export to EU countries. Wood industry companies, furniture manufacturers, traders of wood and wood products, and exporters of goods containing raw materials covered by the EUDR will be required to provide traceability of raw material origins, documentation proving legal harvesting, and data needed by EU customers to demonstrate compliance.
“We export 100 percent of our products, so complying with the regulation is of existential importance for us,” said Edin Dacić, an entrepreneur in the furniture and export sector. “We simulated the regulation’s application from September last year to identify any shortcomings and prepare in time.”
Participants emphasized that the European market will increasingly require not only high-quality products but also clear evidence of raw material origins, production methods, and processing throughout the entire value chain.
“We have been working on implementing EUDR requirements for three years, focusing on data collection, geolocation, and educating agricultural producers about the importance of compliance,” said Toni Babić, an expert in agricultural production.
Speakers noted that certification and traceability are no longer merely regulatory requirements but also proof that products originate from sustainably managed forests and meet high ecological, social, and ethical standards.
“Bosnia and Herzegovina is leading the way when it comes to introducing EUDR standards,” said Ahmet Egrlić, President of the Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina. “More than two million hectares of forests in the country hold the necessary certifications, while 360 companies are fully certified and ready to export to the European market.”
Under the current timeline, large and medium-sized enterprises must comply with the EUDR by December 30, 2026, while micro and small enterprises will be required to comply from June 30, 2027.
The European Union Deforestation Regulation aims to prevent products associated with deforestation and forest degradation from being placed on the EU market, promoting sustainable production and responsible supply chains worldwide.
