Change of Competency for FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) Licencing Scheme Regulations (S.L 549.95) and Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations (S.L. 549.94)

CONSULTATION BRIEF

Start date: 30 April 2025

Closing date: 28 May 2025

Title of the public consultation: Change of Competency for FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) Licencing Scheme Regulations (S.L 549.95) and Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations (S.L. 549.94)

Ministry: Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness (MEEC)

Entity: Environment and Resources Authority (ERA)

 

  1. Background

The proposed Legal Notices seek to amend the Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the market) Regulations (S.L. 549.94) and the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Licencing Scheme Regulations (S.L 549.95), by changing the competent authority outlined in the below mentioned regulations so as to refer to the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) instead of the Directorate of Agriculture (AD).

These were published in 2015 and serve to implement a number of EU Regulations relating to timber, timber products and forest law, namely Regulation (EU) No 995/2010, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 607/2012, Council Regulation (EC) No. 2173/2005 and Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1024/2008.

The proposed Legal Notices seek to amend the definition of competent authority to refer to ERA and carry out ancillary amendments related thereto. In addition to this, the Legal Notice amending the Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the market) Regulations also provides updates in relation to changes in relevant EU law. In this respect, Regulation (EU) No 995/2010 was repealed as of the 30th December 2024, except for specific timber and timber products that were produced before the 29th June 2023 and placed on the market from 30th December 2024. This transitory period will be applicable until the 31st December 2027 and is clarified in the Legal Notice.

 

  1. Consultation

In line with Article 55 of the Environment Protection Act (Cap. 549), the public is invited to make submissions to ERA with their comments as to why and how these draft regulations could be amended.

 

  1. Documents

Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Regolamenti tal-2025 li jemendaw ir-Regolamenti dwar it-Tqegħid fuq is-Suq ta’ Injam u Prodotti tal-Injam

 

Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Licensing Scheme (Amendment) Regulations, 2025

Regolamenti tal-2025 li jemendaw ir-Regolamenti dwar Skema ta’ Liċenzi għall-Infurzar tal-Liġi, il-Governanza u l-Kummerċ fis-Settur tal-Forestrija

 

  1. Submission of feedback

Comments are being invited through the feedback form at publicconsultation.gov.mt or otherwise by email through [email protected].

 

  1. Further notes

Please be informed that comments submitted, together with the identity of the contributor, may be published online at the end of the public consultation, unless the contributor objects to the publication of his/her personal data. In this case, the contribution may be published in anonymous form.

All comments submitted shall be duly considered.