Federal Law No. 415-FZ amending Forest Code (No. 200 – FZ).

The amendments are aimed at combating illegal logging. Forest users shall be responsible for accounting timber that is transported from forest areas. At the same time, the timber harvested by citizens for their own (personal, individual) shall be subject to accounting by the authorized public bodies. In addition, the wood of valuable forest species (oak, beech, ash) must necessarily be marked separately, piece by piece. The data on marking shall be transferred to the unified state automated information system for accounting for wood and transactions therewith. Transportation of wood shall require an additional accompanying document. It indicates information and data about the owner, the consignor, the consignee, the timber carrier, its volume, the species (type) and assortment composition, the departure and destination points, the declaration number of the timber transactions (if any). In case of transporting by motor vehicles, the state number plate of the vehicle must also be specified. For transactions with timber, a declaration shall be issued, which must be submitted to the operator of the aforesaid automated information system. Citizens do not have the right to alienate timber harvested for their own (personal, individual) needs. For non-compliance with these requirements, administrative responsibility shall be applicable. At the same time, illegally harvested wood, vehicles and other tools of illegal harvesting shall be subject to mandatory confiscation. In addition, according to the amendments, the forest declaration and the forest use report can be submitted electronically, including through the Unified Public Services portal.