Abstract:
Many (tropical) woods are traded across borders and are subject to various protective regulations. The most
important and successful international species protection convention is the Washington Convention on the
Protection of Species (CITES) (Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora) and its implementation in the European Union by help of the Species Protection Regulation
(EC) No. 338/97 (with the implementing regulations) as well as its practical enforcement and punishment
by help of national legislation. While commercial woods and timber were initially only listed to a small
extent in CITES appendices (especially mahogany [CITES II - first listing in 1992], Rio rosewood [CITES
I - first listing in 1992]), they are gradually being listed in CITES because of the loss of habitat and targeted
deforestation. After the 19th CITES Conference of the Parties as of 2022, 53 wood species or higher taxa are
listed in CITES.
This background paper introduces the utilization of the CITESwoodID app/program and explains its practical
application, the probe preparation of controlled wood / timber. In addition, it provides an insight into new
wood anatomy research and findings to identifying traded wood and new developments in the area of species
protection law for wood, which are becoming increasingly relevant for the customs administrations of the
European Union and around the globe. It should consequently lead to an improvement in the detection rate
of illicit traded woods and timbers worldwide within the framework of the World Customs Organization.
