Addressing an audience of 270, Mr Sutton said the EUTR applied to everybody at the event and compliance was obligatory.
"Some see it as a threat, but I believe it is a real opportunity for you," he said. "We all need to be seen selling certified, legal and value-added products."
To the same end, he added, companies should sign up and adhere to the TTF’s Code of Conduct and Responsible Purchasing Policy, its due diligence illegal timber risk assessment system designed to ensure members comply with the EUTR.
The TTF, he said, was continuing its programme of informing the market about the RPP and the implications of the EUTR.
"In fact we’ve recently had a meeting with [Brazilian processed timber association] ABIMCI which wanted more guidance on the Regulation," he said. "As a result they are now asking for a closer relationship with the TTF."
Mr Sutton also urged the audience to continue its support for the TTF and non members to join.
"Besides the RPP, it offers a huge range of services and the information it provides is second to none," he said.
The TTF, he added, was gaining members, with 20 joining in 2012, including joinery giant Howden.
Another of the goals of the TTF and its members, he said, was to make timber easier to specify and use.
"At the summit prior to Timber Expo this year, we heard contractors and architects saying the industry was poor in this respect compared with the concrete and steel sectors and even that specifiers changed specifications because they did not want to work with wood," he said. "We need to provide more information on the technical performance of the products we sell and other aspects, such as levels of embodied carbon."
