A new EU ban has once again brought in fears of a toilet roll shortage. The European Union plans to introduce a ban on products linked to deforestation and the boss of a toilet paper company has warned the new rule could have a 'gigantic effect' on the toilet paper industry.
EU laws will require all companies trading commodities such as wood, coffee, soy and cocoa to follow strict processes to trade with the block. This will include a ban on importing and exporting products linked to deforestation, reports The Mirror.
Cheeky Panda owner Chris Forbes said to The Grocer: "There will definitely be a squeeze on availability and we can expect the price of recycled tissue to rise as demand for alternatives increases."
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Mr Forbes said businesses relying on virgin pulp as raw materials - like the "vast majority" of paper towels, face tissues, and toilet paper - will struggle to make the necessary changes before the ban is enforced. The raw material is gathered from newly harvested trees.
Mr Forbes claimed some of the major brands that produce these products would have to spend "billions" on an "operational transformation" to keep step with the new laws.
American finance company MSCI found in a study that 'preparedness does not appear to be high'. "Eliminating products rooted in deforested land from a supply chain is typically a major endeavour requiring extensive due diligence," it said.
Despite Mr Forbes's bleak outlook, major producer Essity said it was fully prepared for the new regulation. The company, which produces toilet rolls under the Velvet, Cushelle and Tork brands, said: "Essity fully supports any legislation designed to combat deforestation. We have a long history of working closely with our suppliers under strict requirements to ensure that all of our raw materials are sourced ethically and responsibly.
"For companies of Essity’s size, the new EU legislation will come into full effect in 2024 following a transition period that will enable organisations to adapt to any required changes in supply chain. We can say with absolute confidence that there will not be a shortage of toilet roll resulting from changes to EU laws."
The company employs around 400 people at its site in Prudhoe, Northumberland. Vikki Makinson, the head of marketing and communications for tissue maker Accrol, said: "We don’t anticipate paper supply shortages as a result of these regulations but potentially a surge in demand for FSC-certified, PEFC and other sustainably sourced stocks."
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