German Timber Trade Federation

The German Timber Trade Federation — in German the Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel e. V., commonly abbreviated GD Holz — is the representative and cross-cooperation industry association of the German timber trade (Holzfachhandel). It is a registered association (eingetragener Verein) that bundles the economic interests of roughly 750 member companies and represents the sector before policymakers, organizations, the media and society. According to its own estimates, its members account for about 60% of all companies in the timber trade and about 80% of the sector's turnover, corresponding to approximately 9 billion euros per year (the association cites a combined annual turnover of its member companies of about 9.12 billion euros). The association describes itself as representing the timber trade along the complete value chain, from the raw material through to retail. Its stated mission is to support members in bringing wood to market sustainably, fairly, resource-efficiently and in an environmentally compatible way, and to sensitize business, politics and society to the importance of wood as a renewable, environmentally friendly and durable raw material that binds significantly more CO2 than is emitted during its processing. GD Holz argues that without timber construction and timber use, slowing climate change is not possible. GD Holz operates through specialist departments (Fachbereiche) covering the trade along the value chain, including a department for roundwood trade (Rohholzhandel). It runs a seminar programme on current topics, maintains positions on environment and climate protection, and provides guidance on the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and its successor, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Through its service arm, GD Holz Service GmbH, it advises importers of wood and wood products on implementing due diligence systems required under the EUTR, a service it has provided for more than ten years, and it offers a software solution for EUDR compliance. The association also organizes member events such as marketing trips and departmental meetings, and publishes news and press releases on regulatory and political developments affecting the timber trade, including the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and energy-cost relief for small and medium-sized businesses. As a trade body rather than a commercial trading company, GD Holz does not sell timber itself; its "products" are membership, representation, advisory services, seminars and compliance tools for the German timber trade. Its activities are concentrated on the German market and on EU-level regulatory engagement.

The German Timber Trade Federation (Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel e. V., GD Holz) is the representative and cross-cooperation industry association of the German timber trade. It is organized as a registered association (eingetragener Verein) and describes itself as bundling the economic interests of around 750 member companies, representing the sector before politics, organizations, media and society. According to its own estimates, its members represent about 60% of all companies in the timber trade and about 80% of the sector's turnover, which the association puts at roughly 9 billion euros annually (it cites a combined annual turnover of its member companies of about 9.12 billion euros). GD Holz positions itself as representing the timber trade along the complete value chain, from the raw material through to retail. Its work is organized through specialist departments (Fachbereiche), including a department for roundwood trade (Rohholzhandel), which held a meeting in Willingen on 1–2 September (reported in 2026). The association runs a seminar programme on current topics and maintains positions on environment and climate protection, framed around the message that sustainable timber use benefits forests and climate. A significant part of GD Holz's activity concerns regulatory compliance. The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) prohibits placing illegally harvested timber on the European internal market and obliges importers to ensure compliance through a documented due diligence system. Through GD Holz Service GmbH, the association has advised importers of wood and wood products on implementing the EUTR for more than ten years, offering a due diligence system, telephone and email advice, an EUTR newsletter, on-site visits for consulting and training, further information such as country profiles, web links, databases of NGO reports and application examples, and support in communicating with authorities. With the transition from the EUTR to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), GD Holz also offers a complete software solution and describes helping members navigate the "bureaucracy jungle" of the new rules. The association engages in political advocacy on behalf of the timber trade, for example criticising fuel discounts and calling instead for lower electricity costs to relieve small and medium-sized enterprises, and discussing the practicality of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) with policymakers. It also organizes member events such as marketing trips and departmental meetings. As a trade body, GD Holz does not itself trade timber; its role is representation, advice, training and compliance support for the German timber trade, with a focus on the German market and EU-level regulation.

• GD Holz Service GmbH has advised importers on implementing the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) for more than ten years.

  [3]EUTR Beratung | Wir beraten Sie | Dienstleistung des GD Holzgdholz.de
• Roundwood trade specialist department (Fachbereich Rohholzhandel) met in Willingen on 1–2 September.

  [1]Startseite - Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel e. Vgdholz.de
• GD Holz offers a complete software solution for the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

  [3]EUTR Beratung | Wir beraten Sie | Dienstleistung des GD Holzgdholz.de

Representative and cross-cooperation industry association of the German timber trade, representing the sector along the complete value chain before politics, organizations, media and society.

• EUTR due diligence system

  Provision and regular updating of an EUTR due diligence system for importers of wood and wood products.

• EUTR/EUDR consulting

  Advice by telephone and email, EUTR newsletter, on-site visits for consulting and training, country profiles, web links, NGO report databases and support with authority communication.

• EUDR software solution

  A complete software solution offered by GD Holz Service GmbH to help importers comply with the EU Deforestation Regulation.

• Seminars

  Practical seminars on current topics for members of the timber trade.

1. 1Startseite - Gesamtverband Deutscher Holzhandel e. Vgdholz.de
2. 2Über uns | Unsere Mission | Unser Antrieb | Unser Anspruchgdholz.de
3. 3EUTR Beratung | Wir beraten Sie | Dienstleistung des GD Holzgdholz.de
4. 4German Timber Trade Federation - Wikidatawikidata.org