Australia: Illegal Logging & Modern Slavery Laws
Australia boasts some of the world's most rigorous biosecurity and environmental import laws. For MSMEs in the furniture, packaging, paper, or construction materials sectors, importing timber products into the country is a regulatory minefield.
Under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (and the updated 2024 Rules), the Australian government places the absolute burden of proof on the importer to ensure that their timber was legally harvested. Ignorance of your supply chain is a criminal offense.