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TRADA issues guidance on sustainable timber sourcing
Date: 26th June 2007
BM TRADA's sister company TRADA Technology has published a new Wood Information Sheet 'Sustainable timber sourcing' aims to give suppliers and specifiers a better understanding of the chain of custody process.
The Wood Information Sheet may be viewed on the TRADA website, free of charge, by Members and Registered Users. 'Sustainable timber sourcing' explains that there are two key elements to ensuring that a timber product derives from well-managed sources. The forest of origin has to be independently certified, to verify that it is being managed in accordance with the requirements of an accredited forest management standard. Secondly, when the timber leaves the forest, it enters a 'chain of custody' system which provides independent certification of its unbroken path to the consumer, including all stages of manufacturing, transportation and distribution.
At no point can the chain be broken. If a company takes legal ownership or physical possession, then it must have its own independently certified chain of custody system if it wishes to pass on the sustainable credentials of the product. A copy of the supplier's chain of custody certificate is not enough. Demand for certified products has grown dramatically in the past few years. Although product suppliers may inform their customers, in good faith, that their product is from well-managed sources, without a degree of knowledge about chain of custody procedures, it is difficult for the customer to be confident that they are receiving what was specified. The new Wood Information Sheet from TRADA aims to assist this process. Members will receive a copy with their regular mailing or may download a PDF file free of charge.
To purchase a copy, please visit www.trada.co.uk/bookshop/ or email info@trada.co.uk. Cost is £6.00 plus postage & packing (price review pending).