The revised EU Guidance on ivory trade suspends the remaining trade in raw ivory on the EU market (except for the exclusive purpose of repairing objects containing ancient ivory) as well as EU trade in worked ivory, with narrow exceptions for pre-1975 musical instruments containing ivory and pre-1947 antiques. Its aim is to complement the existing measures under the EU wildlife trade regulations, while helping EU countries, citizens and businesses understand and apply the rules concerning ivory trade.

Its adoption follows on steps already taken under the EU Action Plan Against Wildlife Trafficking to eradicate illicit ivory within the EU market, including the adoption of a first version of the Guidance in 2017, which already tightened EU rules on ivory. The revised Guidance is also linked to amendments made to Commission Regulation 865/2006, amended Annexes to Council Regulation 338/97 and amended Implementing Regulation 792/2012, which were all adopted on the same day.

Documents adopted by the Commission:

• Guidance on the EU regime governing trade in ivory
• Commission Regulation 2021/2280 amending Council Regulation 338/97 and its annexes and Commission regulation 865/2006

Further reading:

• Press release
• Q & A
• Factsheet ivory trade (in EN only - other language versions will be available at the end of January)