The Lacey Act and its Impact

The Lacey Act was originally signed into law in 1900, prohibiting the trafficking of wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally possessed, transported, or sold. In 2008, the landmark conservation act was amended to include a ban on illegally harvested wood and wood products.

Illegal harvesting can cause serious problems, contributing to deforestation and pollution. The amendment offered environmental protection for international forests and helped other global economies manage their natural resources. This was a significant development for the flooring industry. It meant that only legally-logged timber can be sold in the U.S. All importers of wood had to declare the country of origin and list all species contained in the products. Violators of the act faced severe penalties: Forfeiture of the wood, fines of up to $500,000 and even jail time.

The passing of the act was good news for customers and buyers who care about ethically-sourced wood. At Macon Hardwood, we work with our distributors to offer only the finest quality wood and do our due diligence to ensure we meet the highest of standards. You can be assured that all our flooring choices are Lacey Act compliant.

After the Lacey Act was enacted, some popular and exotic types of wood became difficult to source and purchase. Santos Mahogany, native to the rainforests of Peru, is one example of a wood species that was in short supply as a result of the Lacey Act. We are pleased to tell you that this excellent species is now back in supply.

Santos Mahogany (see an example in our flooring gallery) has a similar look and boasts superior luster. It is dark reddish brown in color with striped figuring and interlocked grain. Santos Mahogany is one of the densest, hardest and most durable wood flooring choices around, making it an excellent choice for high-end commercial and residential needs.