The impact on US structural plywood sales to Europe of imports of ‘unregulated plywood’ from other countries is being investigated by a US mission to the EU.
At talks held in Brussels last week APA-The Engineered Wood Association persuaded the US mission to look into its claims that there is massive illicit use of unregulated plywood in structural applications across Europe. If the mission finds that the APA’s claims are well founded it will champion the cause at bilateral talks with European authorities.
Duncan King, APA director UK and Ireland, said: ‘They are going to go away and look into our claims and, if they find there is a major problem, they will lobby the EU.’
APA says the structural use of unsuitable imported plywood is spreading rapidly across Europe on the back of the 20% price differential it enjoys against regulated plywood.
‘What we have is a mass influx of very cheap, unregulated plywood to Europe that is decimating US exports. It is even impacting OSB production in Europe,’ said Mr King.
APA wants the EU to introduce an effective policing mechanism and ensure that the requirements of the Construc-tion Products Directive and associated Eurocode design documents are met.
APA has also requested that the construction industry be advised to view ‘proof of structural adequacy’ when ordering material.
‘There is no point in having regulations for structural adequacy if nobody is policing them. People are buying on price alone and are [breaching regulations],’ said Mr King.
