CPET activities

The month of October has seen us poring over construction pilot project reports and policy consultation submissions.  The responses to the policy consultation are thorough and from a wide range of stakeholders including NGO’s, European trade bodies and the industry.  The next stage is for us to report the findings and discuss recommendations at the next CPET Reference Board which will be held on 28 November.  With 2009 looming, it is important that we have new guidance out there in 2008.

BREEAM is a major target for all government refurbishments and new builds; and as such a driver for implementing the government’s procurement policy through the responsible sourcing section.  As part of the construction sector pilot study we met with BRE and discussed how we could further utilise this situation.  BRE were more than helpful and supportive and invited CPET to present to around 100 BRE assessors who were undertaking refresher training at their headquarters. For more information on BREEAM go to www.bre.co.uk.

CPET, as an observer, were invited by PEFC to attend their Annual General Assembly held in Munich earlier this month.  Sofie on behalf of CPET was able to attend and learn more about what PEFC are doing and how the organisation works.

The Forestry Commission are currently revising their Forestry Standard and invited CPET and Defra to attend their meeting in Edinburgh which included representatives from all over the UK. The purpose was to discuss and consider how the UK government procurement requirements could be met by the UK Forestry Standard which supports the government commitment to international agreements.

Finishing the month off, CPET also visited the Timber Zone at this year's Interbuild (the building show in Birmingham) and discussed CPET's work with exhibtors and attendees alike.