A sustainable timber procurement guide has been launched by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) to help construction companies avoid the pitfalls associated with sourcing wood.

CIOB has published “Procuring Legal and Sustainable Timber”, available at www.constructionbooksdirect.com, because no specific legislation is in place to force the industry to procure sustainable timber and due to Greenpeace‘s campaign for wood to be procured from accredited sources.

It also says the growth in design of “green” buildings and promotion of timber as a renewable resource is likely to boost use of wood in the construction industry, which means an increased likelihood of illegal logging, poor forest management and deforestation.

Michael Brown, CIOB’s deputy chief executive, said he hoped the guide will also provide direction for the government in its production of a timber procurement policy which ensures wood is obtained from sustainable and well