Yaroslav, CEO of Paged Group, one of the five largest plywood producers in Europe and co-founder of the Woodstock Consortium, referring to the results of the European Commission’s investigation into violations of anti-dumping regulations on Russian plywood imported into the European Union by Kazakhstan and Turkey, notes that the outcome of the investigation, although not yet widely known, is of fundamental importance for the future of the European wood market. The regulation, which is expected to take effect immediately after its adoption by EU countries, is intended to respond to these unfair practices by imposing a uniform duty on all imported plywood from the countries mentioned, thereby leveling the playing field in the market and protecting the interests of EU producers.
“Retroactively, as of August 22, 2023, there will be the collection of anti-dumping duties of 15.8% + VAT from importers on each shipment of birch plywood imported into EU countries via Kazakhstan and Turkey. This will be possible because with the launch of the Commission’s investigation, every cargo of plywood crossing the EU border and coming from Kazakhstan and Turkey was registered. What is crucial, however, is that the outcome of the investigation confirming these unfair practices is also relevant to violations of sanctions imposed on Russia and EUTR regulations, and is prosecuted under not only EU but also national law. Every importer should take care to do proper due diligence and check their partners and their goods before deciding to cooperate. Otherwise, not only outstanding customs duties and financial penalties but also criminal liability for violating EUTR sanctions and regulations will be a real threat to any importer from these countries,” said Yaroslav Michniuk.
Chairman Michniuk expressed optimism about the effectiveness of the solution, but also noted that enforcement will be key. He expects that knowledge from the investigation will prompt member states to intensify their control and investigation activities to ensure compliance with the new regulations. In addition, he points to the important role of OLAF and national tax authorities in monitoring and punishing companies that continue to try to circumvent the new regulations. He stresses that it is and will continue to be necessary for importers to verify the origin of imported timber to prevent further circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia, which is equally important to maintain the integrity of the European timber market.
Attached is the Polish-language version of the Woodstock Consortium’s communiqué issued after receiving the European Commission’s decision and the results of the investigation.
Media relations:
Magdalena Kicińska, magdalena.kicinska@paged.pl, tel.: +48 725520874
Aleksandra Atamańczyk, a.atamanczyk@sfera-group.pl , tel.: +48 603429444
About Paged Group:
Founded more than 90 years ago, Paged is now one of the five largest plywood manufacturers and a significant producer of wooden chairs in the European Union. It employs more than 2,000 people and has a total of six production facilities in Poland and Estonia. It offers innovative solutions and products that are used in a wide range of industries, such as interior design and furnishings, construction, transportation and packaging in nearly eighty markets around the world. As of 2019, Paged is developing and implementing technological and product innovations based on the unique competencies of its own research and development center, Paged LabTech. Paged’s member companies Paged Pisz, Paged Morąg, Paged Eesti, Paged Trade, Paged Meble, Paged LabTech, Paged Deutschland and BUK Ltd. are part of the Thumos Group, a private Polish industrial and investment consortium.
