UCS Policy Statement - The Lacey Act

The Lacey Act combats trafficking in illegally taken wildlife, fish, or plants. The Lacey Act was first passed into law in U.S. in 1900 to ban trafficking in illegal wildlife. The Act was amended in 2008 to extend coverage to plants and plant products including paper and timber. This made it a federal crime to import, export, transport, sell, receive, trade or purchase plants or wood products in violation of U.S. or international laws. This includes falsifying documents, accounts, or records of any wood products covered by the Act and importing wood products without a valid import declaration.

UCS Forest Group complies with the provisions of the Lacey Act and has implemented processes to ensure its suppliers provide appropriate documentation for products purchased showing they comply with the requirements of the Lacey Act. 

UCS sources products only from those suppliers who demonstrate its products and documentation comply with the Lacey Act. It is the responsibility of UCS to exercise "due care" to verify that all of the wood products it offers for sale have been obtained legally. 

Information about the Lacey Act is available at the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Inspection Services website.

Click here to access our Corporate Policy on the Lacey Act.