Defining legality and sustainability

'Legal timber' and ' Legal timber and wood derived products', in the context of the timber procurement policy refer to the propriety of tree felling in the forest or plantation where the trees in question were grown. The organisation or body that felled the trees and provided the timber from which the wood is supplied or derived must have had legal rights to use the forest, must have complied with all relevant local and national laws and codes of practice including environmental, labour and health and safety laws and must have paid all relevant royalties and taxes.

'Sustainable source' in the context of the timber procurement policy refers to forest management that must minimise harm to ecosystems, maintain forest productivity, ensure forest ecosystem health and vitality  and maintain biodiversity. The details of the interpretation must be decided based on balanced participation of social, environmental and economic interests.

• Pre-consumer wood and wood fibre
• Post-consumer wood and wood fibre
• Drift wood

In order to meet the UK Government’s criteria for sustainable timber, the material must be (a) 'recycled timber' or (b) timber from a 'sustainable source' (as described above); or (c) a combination of (a) and (b).

The official document containing the definitions is entitled UK Government Timber Procurement policy: Definition of legality and sustainability  and can be downloaded by clicking on the title.

If requested, suppliers must be able to provide evidence to the Government that the wood or wood products they supply are from legal and, if promised by the supplier, sustainable sources. In order to assist procurement personnel and suppliers, the government has identified two types of evidence that will demonstrate the legality and sustainability of timber and timber products:

• Category A : Certification of materials under one of the approved schemes
• Category B: All other forms of evidence, for example audit statements, government documentation or supplier declarations.

 To learn more about providing and acquiring evidence please visit the Meeting Requirements section of the website.