Since the EUTR came into force in March 2013, Track Record Global (TRG) has had four of its customers audited by EUTR Competent Authorities. Each is a major Operator in the EU timber sector and they’ve all implemented Track Record Global’s Track Vision DDS (Due Diligence System).
The three international Operators based in the UK have all been recognised by the National Measurement Office (NMO) as compliant with the EUTR which substantiates TRG’s claim to have developed one of the most robust and rigorous DDS’s currently available to Operators and Traders.
Because TRG has been at the vanguard of developing a DDS that comprehensively complies with the EUTR, on behalf of our customers we have been able to provide the NMO with straightforward access to the detailed information and evidence required for an EUTR audit.
Where our Track Vision DDS stands out from other organisations, offering similar systems, is the fact that it has been developed from the very outset as an online system. By being able to deliver results to the NMO from a web platform, the NMO has the opportunity to efficiently carry out more audits in a less intrusive manner which is key for the EUTR to succeed and to be seen as an effective regulation. In TRG’s view, it is the way that all regulations of this type will be compliance checked by the authorities in the future.
Without doubt the EUTR is having a positive impact in the reduction of high risk timber crossing the EU border, but to really make a significant impact the NMO needs to spend less time on site and more time reviewing the gathered evidence. This can only really be achieved if the DDS is delivered online.
Another key differentiator to our approach to the EUTR, is that TRG has no intention of becoming a Monitoring Organisation (MO) and will remain an independent body. We carry out audits on behalf of our customers. The information gathered is strictly confidential to them and is securely held by TRG. I really don’t think that MOs offer any advantages. The fact that four of our Operators have already been successfully audited by the NMO proves absolutely that we have developed a comprehensive and robust DDS that allows companies to demonstrate EUTR compliance.
We fully support the EUTR and, although it may yet still be too early to see its full impact, it has already led to more transparency about the structure of supply chains and more awareness and understanding of high risk timber.