The GLA is now stipulating that all timber purchases are “100% sustainable” and the definition of sustainable is in line with that of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber, which assesses certification schemes against central government procurement criteria. This means that in the authority’s view, the FSC, PEFC, SFI and CSA certification schemes have equal merit and are all accepted as proof of sustainability.
“Andy Roby, our head of environment and corporate social responsibility, and I established the GLA officials we needed to see about this and held a meeting,” said TTF chief executive John White. “Initially we were not expecting a great deal to come out of it, but in May we went back to the authority under the auspices of Wood for Gold [the campaign lobbying for use of timber in 2012 Olympics developments] and were told that the procurement rules had been changed. It was very good news.”
The change of heart at the GLA, he added, brings its timber procurement rules broadly in line not only with those of central government, but also those of the Olympic Delivery Authority, which, has gone for “100% sustainable”, as recommended to it by the TTF.
“This is precisely what the timber industry needs,” said Mr White. “We need uniformity and a streamlined approach. We don’t want to have to contend with dozens of different procurement rules. Also these three bodies are very influential and the decisions they make will have an impact on the procurement approach of local authorities and other organisations.”
