Explanatory note

These Regulations are made in exercise of the powers in section 8(1) of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (c. 16) in order to address failures of retained EU law to operate effectively and other deficiencies (in particular under paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (e) and (g) of section 8(2)) arising from the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.

These Regulations make amendments to legislation in the field of environmental protection and, in particular, amend legislation relating to the import and placing on the market of timber and timber products to minimise the risk of placing illegally harvested timber and timber products derived from such timber on the market. Part 2 amends subordinate legislation and Part 3 amends retained EU Regulations.

An impact assessment has not been prepared for this instrument as no impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.