Tropical timber consuming countries should ensure third-party certification does not become a technical barrier to trade (TBT) for the tropical timber industry, a new study recommends.
The International Tropical Timber Organisation report says governments in importing countries could simplify procedures and take into account mutual recognition systems, as well as developing programmes to reduce the costs associated with complying with market requirements.
The study was commissioned after ITTO members expressed concern that product standards and technical regulations in consumer markets were restricting expansion of the international tropical timber trade.
TBT’s identified include technical/grading requirements, phytosanitary measure standard ISPM 15, building codes, quality certification/testing such as CE marking and environmental certification for timber.
The report says government procurement is a pressing TBT affecting tropical wood products in the EU and North America, with governments increasingly specifying timber to be harvested legally and from sustainably managed forests. Eco-labelling and chain of custody documentation could become a “serious impediment” to the tropical timber trade.
Recommendations include a call for producers and importers of tropical timber to work together and improve dialogue with EU and US governing bodies.
The report also recommends that producer countries should seek greater regional co-operation to overcome TBT knowledge gaps, as well as establishing a framework for developing local standards, certification systems, organisations and laboratory facilities with the aim of overcoming international market barriers.
