New tool for timber suppliers prove compliance with the policy

As the public sector we rely heavily on the suppliers of timber to prove that the Governments timber procurement policy is complied with. The Timber Trade Federation have operated a voluntary Responsible Purchasing Policy for some years now. In June 2008 members unanimously voted to make implementing this system or an equivalent system mandatory for all members.

The Timber Trade Federation has over 250 members representing 70% timber volume either produced or imported into the UK including manufacturers, importers, merchants and agents, there is therefore a big chance that your timber supplier is a TTF member. This new requirement will mean that many timber suppliers are now required to implement an environmental due diligence system to assess risk and improve purchases of legal and sustainable timber.

The TTFs Responsible Purchasing Policy is a tool developed for members to risk manage their supplies. Certified timber supplies are simply recorded, but uncertified timber supplies are risk rated by country of origin and evidence of legality and sustainability

In practice the requirements for a risk management system will help manage timber stocks by:

· Gathering and reporting objective evidence of legality/sustainability

· Monitoring continuous progress towards 100% sustainability

· Identifying and eliminating potentially high risk suppliers

· Advice and support to suppliers

The system is independently audited by the Soil Association for credibility and all members are expected to have full implementation of a risk assessment system by the start of 2010.

Membership of the TTF and reporting through the RPP is not proof that your supplier is automatically complying with UK Government policy. However if your supplier is a TTF member they could have the evidence you need and it also indicates that they are moving in the right direction by taking environmental due diligence seriously. 

Link to the Timber Trade Federation here.