November 2004

Supplier Information Service Launched

29 November 2004

The TTF has joined forces with Track Record Global Ltd to create a Supplier Information Service, which will rate suppliers risk of supplying illegal timber to Members and will allow commitments made under the Responsible Purchasing Policy to be met in a cost-effective and efficient way. The service will be launched January 2005. 

The RPP is an independently audited programme enabling TTF members to systematically rate their suppliers in terms of the likelihood of them supplying illegal timber.

RPP Manager Gunther Hentschel said, “ The RPP is a useful tool, to enable Members to meet their commitments made under the Code of Conduct. The development of the Supplier Information Service is a major contribution to the making the RPP user-friendly by reducing the amount of staff time and paperwork involved. It’s yet another step forward in helping to verify the legality of timber coming into the UK market and clearly demonstrates the UK timber trade’s commitment responsible business practice. “   

Track Record's service will enable the TTF members to operate the entire system online, significantly reducing any management burden associated with implementation. This service will rate suppliers risk status for Members and it will be independently audited. The Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and Track Record Global Ltd signed a Joint Development agreement whereby Track Record will provide an online service to support TTF Members.

For Further information contact Gunther Hentschel on 020 7930 1891 or email: ghentschel@ttf.co.uk

ENVIRONMENT MINISTER ELLIOT MORLEY ANNOUNCES MOVE TO ENSURE GOVERNMENT SOURCING OF LEGAL AND SUSTAINABLE TIMBER

9 November 2004

Environment Minister Elliot Morley has announced steps to strengthen the Government’s efforts to buy legally harvested timber from sustainably-managed forests.

A thorough assessment of five forest certification schemes found they all give assurance of legal harvesting – the basic requirement. Two of them also provide assurance that forests are being managed in a way that meets the Government’s contract definition of sustainable forest management.

The report, commissioned for the Central Point of Expertise on Timber concluded that certificates from the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) should be accepted as assurance of legal and sustainable timber.  Certificates from the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC), the North American Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) and the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) should be accepted as assurance of legally harvested timber. However, in their current form they are not completely acceptable as assurance of sustainable timber as defined in the Government’s model contract specification.

Mr Morley said, “The Government is not saying that forests certified under the PEFC, SFI and MTCC schemes are not well managed – just that the schemes as they currently work don't provide adequate assurance that our particular requirements are fulfilled. They were very close to doing so and it is my hope that they will work, in collaboration with the central point of expertise on timber, to give us the assurance we seek as soon as possible.  Each of the five schemes assessed provides a valuable source of information and assurance for consumers and as such, they are not just valuable sources of information, but valuable guarantees of legality. “

TTF Spokesman Mark O’Brien said, “The TTF are delighted that all five schemes have been given the stamp of legality and that three of the schemes came very close to meeting the Government’s rigorous forestry sustainability criteria.  We will be working with the schemes, as members of the CPET supervisory board, to address these issues and are pleased that the Government are allowing a six-month period of grace to make any necessary modifications.  Timber Trade Federation Members look forward to meeting all the UK Government purchasing requirements, regarding one of the most sustainable materials available today.”     

For Further information contact Mark O’Brien on 020 7389 1891