January 2026 marks the beginning of a new era for the timber industry in Europe. Under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), most large companies importing or trading timber products will have to prove that their supply chains are free from deforestation risk. For smaller operators, the timeline may differ, and micro-enterprises may not face the same full requirements immediately. But for the majority of companies, the countdown has already started — and the pressure is real.

What does this mean in practice? It means every transaction must be backed by traceable geolocation data, supplier documents, and a due diligence statement submitted through EU Traces. It means buyers will need visibility not just into the timber they buy from one source, but across their entire supply chain. And it means that, without a clear system to collect and manage this information, many businesses will quickly find themselves overwhelmed.

This is the challenge we hear every day from the market. A typical buyer works with a dozen or more suppliers, spread across different regions. Each supplier has their own processes, their own way of handling documents, and their own level of readiness for EUDR. As a result, the buyer ends up spending huge amounts of time chasing missing information, checking documents for compliance, and trying to prepare a clean file to satisfy auditors. Multiply this by every transaction in a year and the task becomes not just complicated, but nearly unmanageable.

From Marketplace to Compliance Hub

At Timberhub, we have always described ourselves as a hub — a place where buyers and suppliers connect around timber. But with EUDR, that definition expands. Timberhub is no longer just a marketplace for sourcing wood. It's becoming a hub for information, documentation, and compliance.

Our EUDR solution brings your entire supply chain into one place. Whether you source timber from Timberhub or from other suppliers, everything flows through the same centralised platform. Supplier documents are uploaded, organised, and verified, and due diligence statements are prepared for EU Traces submission. Instead of managing compliance piecemeal — one purchase, one document, one supplier at a time — you get a complete overview of your supply chain in a single system.

Crucially, this service is independent from timber sales. You do not need to buy timber from Timberhub to use it. Any importer, trader, or buyer can rely on the platform, regardless of where their timber comes from. This neutrality is essential because compliance is not selective: the EUDR applies to every purchase, every supplier, every transaction. By separating compliance from our commercial sales, we can support the entire industry. And by centralising information in one hub, we make life easier not only for buyers but also for suppliers, who can upload documents once and securely share them with all their customers.

Why This Matters

Sustainability compliance is not just a legal requirement; it is becoming a key market differentiator. Companies that can demonstrate transparent, deforestation-free supply chains will enjoy stronger relationships with regulators, customers, and partners — otherwise risking fines, reputational harm, or even exclusion from the EU market. Starting in January 2026, regulators will expect serious, demonstrable efforts — and the companies that act early will set the tone for the rest of the sector.

By expanding beyond timber procurement into compliance infrastructure, Timberhub is taking on a role the industry urgently needs: a trusted, independent partner that simplifies EUDR preparation. For buyers, it means less risk and less wasted time. For suppliers, it means less duplication of work and a clearer path to meeting customer requirements. For the industry as a whole, it means raising standards of transparency and compliance across the board.

The deadline is close, and building compliant supply chains cannot be done overnight. Documents need to be gathered, suppliers need to be trained, and systems need to be put in place. The earlier companies begin, the smoother the process will be. Timberhub's EUDR service is ready today to help businesses make that transition — and to turn compliance from a burden into an opportunity.

With Timberhub, compliance isn't just possible. It's practical, scalable, and built for the future.