Wood is the only construction product, which is renewable, has unique environmental credentials and which can be certified
with a chain of custody from source to final user.
The UK
wood industry is at the forefront in providing evidence of environmentally and socially responsible materials through certification
and industry schemes. For example the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) has developed a sophisticated tool called the Responsible
Purchasing Policy (RPP) to help members’ rate suppliers and their products with regard to the risk that illegal products
could enter the supply chain through that source.
The UK’s wood industry, Government and NGOs have
undertaken a great deal of work, particularly at the supply end, to minimise the risk of illegal products entering the supply
chain. This needs to be recognised on the demand side.
Wood products for the Olympics can easily be specified as certified in accordance with UK Government timber procurement
policy through Defra’s Central Point for Expertise for Timber (CPET) organisation – the central point for expertise
on timber in the UK.
Wood for Gold
suggests that the Government’s timber procurement policy is adopted by the ODA. Through CPET the policy has been worked
and refined. It offers sensible and practical methods of ensuring legal and sustainable timber. This will lead to the delivery
of a sustainable Games to which we all subscribe.
It is important that words of policy are matched by action. Timber
procurement policy must be monitored through rigorous policing of contracts and of contractors to ensure the desired outcome
is delivered and is matched to the industry’s ability to supply.
