Law no. 331/2024 on the Forestry Code.

This Law establishes the legal regime for the national forest fund and forest vegetation located outside of it. It defines the administrative and technical rules for forest management, emphasizing the long-term protection of ecosystems. It categorizes forest land into specific functional groups based on their primary role, ranging from industrial timber production to strict environmental conservation.
The Law mandates that all forest owners, whether public or private, ensure the guarding of their property against illegal interventions. Management must follow a technical plan, or "amenajament silvic," which dictates the volume and frequency of timber harvesting. For small-scale private owners, the legislation provides simplified administrative procedures to facilitate the legal use of wood for personal heating and local needs while maintaining forest integrity.
A significant portion of the text focuses on the traceability and transparency of wood products. It formalizes the use of the Integrated Information System for Forest Monitoring (SUMAL) as the primary digital tool for tracking timber from the point of harvest to the final consumer. The Law requires GPS monitoring for transport vehicles and the use of satellite technology to identify unauthorized changes in canopy cover in real-time.
Public access for recreational purposes is codified as a right, allowing citizens to enter forests on foot or by bicycle using designated paths. The Law also introduces the concept of urban forests and green belts, which are managed specifically for climate regulation and social benefits rather than wood extraction. These areas are protected from urban expansion and land-use changes that would decrease the total forested surface.
The enforcement framework includes a detailed list of administrative fines and criminal penalties for violations such as illegal logging, unauthorized land clearing, or data falsification in tracking systems. Responsibility for oversight is assigned to the National Forest Guard and other specialized state agencies. These bodies are authorized to monitor compliance and intervene to prevent the degradation of forest soils and biodiversity.