June 2004

Malaysian Delegation Meet UK Trade

21 June 2004

A delegation representing the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) and the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) met with key members of the UK importing trade on Monday 21 June to discuss developments in Malaysia and to update the Timber Trade Federation on issues affecting the forest products sector, particularly revisions to the certification standards.

Andy Roby the TTF’s CSR Adviser said, “ We discussed the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade process, the EU trade’s response to this, the TTF’s Code of Conduct and the implications for the Malaysian timber industry.  We  also discuss opportunities for greater co-operation between the TTF, the MTC and the MTCC.  We had a full agenda and built on our already positive relations with Malaysia “   

The Malaysian delegation included the Chairman of the MTC, Tunku Osman Ahmad, the MTC’s Chief Executive Dato’ Ismail Awang, the MTCC’s Chairman Dato’ Dr Freezailah and the MTTC Chief Executive, Mr Chew Lye Teng.  The meeting was hosted and chaired by the Federation’s President, Geoff Rhodes.

For further information contact Andy Roby on 020 7839 1891 or at ajroby@ttf.co.uk

Government Action On Buying Sustainable Timber

15 June 2004

Definitive advice on sustainability to public sector buyers and sellers of timber is to be developed, Environment Minister Elliot Morley announced today.

The advice, to be developed by two of the leading expert bodies on timber sustainability, is aimed at cutting through the thicket of certification schemes currently applied to products.

The UK is a leading procurer of timber and the Government has been taking a lead on ensuring the public sector adheres to best practice.  The expert bodies - ProForest and ERM - will form a central point of expertise on timber procurement and produce new on-line guidance that will help suppliers and buyers judge the credibility of certification schemes and assess their capacity for their meeting the requirements of the public sector.

The bodies expect to complete the first phase of their work by September 2004. The UK Timber Trade Federation is developing its own code for responsible timber procurement for adoption by its members. The Government is confident that the existence of a central point of expertise will accelerate this shift in timber procurement practice.

Mr Morley said:  'All those engaged in the fight to protect and conserve forests have been keen to see the establishment of a Central Point of Expertise on Timber The UK is one of the top consumers of timber, much of which is imported, and we want to know that it comes from legal and preferably sustainable sources.

This first phase is the foundation for what we hope will become a respected source of objective and reliable guidance and advice that is accessible to all buyers and suppliers. The Government is very pleased to be working with ProForest and ERM on this project which is strategically critical for the successful implementation of our timber procurement policy.'

Dr Penny Bienz, Head of Environmental Affairs at the Timber Trade Federation said:  "The UK Timber Trade Federation welcomes this move and recognises the importance of providing comprehensive guidance on the sourcing of legal and sustainable timber supplies to government procurement officials.

It is in the interests of both the Government and the trade to maximise the use of legal and sustainable timber given its excellent environmental credentials, that guarantees its place as the best construction material to contribute to sustainable development.

We will look to support the Government process as part of the advisory committee to CPET and through the development of a Responsible Purchasing Policy (RPP), which looks to assist its members in meeting government procurement policy demands. “

For More information call Andy Roby on 020 7839 1891

Notes for editors

1. The decision to proceed with Phase 1 of the Central Point of Expertise on timber was announced on 5 December 2003. Plans for further phases are under consideration and to some extent will be influence by the experience gained from the phase 1 project.
2. The concept of legal and sustainable timber is addressed by international protocols on forest management. The agreed principles do not set specific standards against which forest management practice and the provenance of timber traded can be satisfactorily audited. Suppliers being asked to acquire legal and sustainable timber need to understand clearly what buyers mean by these terms so that they can demonstrate compliance with agreed terms and conditions. Various certification schemes exist throughout the world to offer assurance to suppliers and buyers but the basis differs from scheme to scheme.
3. The legal and policy framework governing public procurement allows buyers discretion to accept certified products as assurance but also allows suppliers to provide alternative evidence as assurance.
4. Current guidance to central departments is to demand independent verification of suppliers' claims where there is no credible evidence of legal and sustainable timber sources. Implementation can be difficult for many suppliers and buyers. For example, tracing the sources of wood used to manufacture products from forest to consumer requires a sophisticated chain of custody system. Certification is likely to be the practical solution for suppliers but they are confused about which schemes the Government will accept.
5. Buyers are left to judge what evidence is and isn't credible. This is unsatisfactory because most public sector buyers do not possess sufficient information and expertise to make informed decisions. Purchasing the expertise on an ad hoc basis would be costly and might not be consistent. There is a clear need for a single organisation to undertake an independent assessment of the extent to which the various known schemes satisfy the Government's specific requirements.
6. The Government's Response to the Environmental Audit Committee Report: "Buying Time for Forests: Timber Trade and Public Procurement" accepted that it would be sensible to set up a central point of expertise on timber to support buyers and suppliers by providing expert and impartial guidance and advice.
7. A Central Point of Expertise on Timber will be tasked initially with assessing existing forest certification schemes and publishing clear guidance on .the extent to which they can assure central Government buyers that contract obligations are being met. Advice published by the Centre could be controversial and in some cases may lead to representations from disaffected parties. It is important the Centre is impartial and accepted as such by stakeholders. This can only be achieved if the Centre operates at arms length from Government.
8. Forests that are well managed can provide timber and environmental benefits indefinitely. It is important not to make acquiring wood so complex and controversial that buyers are driven to demand less sustainable alternative materials.
9. It is also important not to disengage from poor producing countries that do not yet have the capacity to manage their forests as well as the developed world would like. With this in mind the Government has accepted a recommendation to invite suppliers to offer legally logged timber as a minimum standard. As an inducement to forest owners to improve management standards, preference will continue to be given to bids offering sustainable timber in addition to legal timber.

THE WOOD AWARDS TO GO ON TOUR

7 June 2004

The organisers of the Wood Awards have announced that a display of all the short-listed projects will go on tour after the summer judging period. 

Entries have now closed for The Wood Awards 2004, which is the first time that the awards have been held annually. This year the panel of judges will visit their selected shortlist during June and July, from the record 230 entries received.  The short-listed projects for 2004 will be unveiled and exhibited in a special display at 100% Detail – the architectural show at Earls Court from 23rd to 25th September.  Shortly after, the shortlist will be presented to the annual conference of the Institute of Wood Science, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Birmingham on 30th September, by Giles Downes of Sidell Gibson – Chairman of the awards’ judges.  Finally the shortlist will be a central attraction at Woodmex, from 10th to 13th October, in the Atrium entrance of the NEC in Birmingham, with a display funded by the American Hardwood Export Council, one of the main sponsors of The Wood Awards.

This UK tour will further raise interest in The Wood Awards, now the pre-eminent event for wood in architecture and joinery.  The awards ceremony will be held at the Carpenters’ Hall in the City of London in October.  Full details of the awards, and the progress of the 2004 short-listed projects, will be regularly updated on www.woodawards.com

Notes to Editors:

The Wood Awards 2004

Sponsors of The Wood Awards 2004 include the American Forest & Paper Association, American Hardwood Export Council, BRE, British Woodworking Federation, Carpenters' Company, English Heritage, Ghana Forestry Commission, Historic Scotland, Institute of Carpenters, Institute of Wood Science, Malaysian Timber Council, TRADA, Timber Trade Federation, UKFPA (Forest Products Association), WMSA (Woodworking Machinery Suppliers Assoc.) and wood.for good.

Full details of all sponsors, and more information of The Wood Awards, can be found at www.woodawards.com

For press information, please contact:
Lucy Kamall, Turnstone Communications Ltd.Tel: 020 7929 5363