The Federal Forest Office was established in accordance with the BFW Act 2005 (Federal Law Gazette I No. 87/2005, as amended). As an Austrian authority, it is responsible for the enforcement regarding the following areas:
Forest Reproductive Material
The division responsible for Forest Reproductive Material implements the Forest Reproductive Material Act (2002). In conjunction with the corresponding Forest Reproductive Material Regulation (2002) and the underlying EU Directive 1999/105, its central objective is to sustainably ensure the supply of forest reproductive material of traceable origin, reliable quality, and broad genetic diversity. This is intended to guarantee that forests remain resilient, productive, and adaptable in the future.
The responsibilities of the Federal Forest Office cover the entire process: from the approval of basic material, through the inspection of harvesting enterprises as well as trading and production companies, to the issuance of OECD certificates for trade with third countries and information documents for intra-EU trade.
In addition, the Federal Forest Office actively participates in EU and OECD meetings and working groups to help shape international standards and ensure their effective implementation.
Forest Plant Protection
The objective of the Forestry Plant Protection Service is to protect domestic forests and the forestry sector from the introduction of new and invasive pests. Such introductions can have severe impacts on both the environment and the economy. Therefore, targeted inspections of plants, wood products, and packaging materials are carried out upon entry into the EU based on EU regulations. This harmonized approach ensures that inspections are conducted uniformly across all Member States and are therefore equally effective. In Austria, this responsibility lies with the Federal Forest Office. In fulfilling its duties, the Federal Forest Office works closely with the Austrian Customs Authority as well as other EU plant protection services.
Timber Trade
The Timber Trade division enforces the European regulations aimed at combating the placing on the EU-market of illegal timber from third countries: Timber and timber products regulated by the EU Timber Trade Regulation (EUTR) may only be placed on the EU internal market if the applicable legal provisions have been complied with in the country where the wood was harvested and if the wood is not ‘illegal’. For this reason, importing companies are required to implement a due diligence system and to present corresponding proof during inspections conducted by the Federal Forest Office. Traders who deal in timber products already placed on the EU-market are also checked for traceability of the supply chain. For imports of timber products from FLEGT partner countries (currently Indonesia and Ghana), the Federal Forest Office, in cooperation with the Austrian Customs Office, carries out the authorization procedure for the release of these shipments in Austria.
Forestry Biomass
The Renewable Energy Directive (RED)area focuses on the implementation of the EU Renewable Energy Directive and establishes the regulatory framework for a sustainable energy supply. Its objective is to increase the share of renewable energy significantly and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the long term. Binding requirements are defined for electricity, heating, and fuels derived from renewable sources. Particular emphasis is placed on sustainability and greenhouse gas criteria for biomass and biofuels. Under the NFBioV (Sustainable Forestry Biomass Ordinance), the Federal Forest Office is the competent authority responsible for the registration of certification bodies that issue certificates to companies based domestically and audit companies and producers established within the country. The Federal Forest Office also supervises the operation of these certification bodies that are conducting independent auditing under a voluntary scheme.
Federal Forest Office
Seckendorff-Gudent-Weg 8
1131 Wien
Office: bundesamt(a)bfw.gv.at und + 43 1 87838 2214
When leaving a voicemail, please make sure to include your phone number so we can return your call.
Office hours and public opening hours, as well as information on submitting documents by e-mail, can be found in “Amtstafel”!
Forest Plant Protection
Checks on packaging materials: verpackungsholz(a)bfw.gv.at
Importchecks: apsd.holz(a)bfw.gv.at
Forest Reproductive Material: frm(a)bfw.gv.at
Timber Trade
FLEGT: flegt(a)bfw.gv.at
EUTR: eutr(a)bfw.gv.at
Forestry biomass: red(a)bfw.gv.at