Citeswoodid – a capable app based identification tool for law enforcement officers around the globe (cites listed timbers)

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.