BWF director Richard Lambert, speaking to about 120 delegates at The Federation’s annual Members’ Day in Gaydon, said: “The potential is there will be a requirement for publicly-funded housing to comply with the code and that could have a big impact on public procurement.”
Mr Lambert highlighted the fact that timber was the only material specifically mentioned in the draft code and that extra points would be awarded for using certified or recycled timber in homes.
He added: “If the code is adopted we will see a greater push for the use of chain of custody certification across the timber and wood products sector.”
Mr Lambert said companies who did not already have chain of custody should now think about implementing it.
Guest speaker Janer Thornback, environmental policy adviser at the Construction Products Association, said the code was originally supposed to be implemented in April but it will “probably” be approved later in the year.
Stephen Phillips, of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s building division, told BWF members that code consultation feedback included a suggestion for energy efficiency ratings on new houses and those sold, as well as the implementation of mandatory assessments.
Members also attended a series of workshops on varying subjects, including the potential impact of China on the UK joinery market, trends and opportunities in the UK retail windows market and chain of custody.
