The amount of timber certified by the Pan European Forest Certification (PEFC) scheme on the UK market is expected to increase dramatically in the next few months, with companies said to be queuing up for chain of custody accreditation.
Companies which have already achieved certification include Timbmet, James Donaldson Timber Ltd, Jewson‘s internal supplies division and, most recently, International Decorative Surfaces (IDS). Several big merchanting and DIY multiples are understood to be following soon.
Len Yull, chairman of PEFC UK, said: “The more certified timber is available with proper credentials in the market place then the less likely it is that people will try alternative materials which are so much worse for the environment. Within the next three months you are going to see a very large difference.”
Scott Cairns, managing director of James Donaldson Timber Ltd, said the company had about 60% of its stock certified, the majority of which is PEFC.
He said: “The awareness of PEFC as a credible alternative to FSC is becoming more prevalent. We have FSC but find it difficult to get hold of the right sort of stocks. PEFC works much better for us and the suppliers we are working with – there’s just a much greater range of commercially available material.”
Jewson’s PEFC certification applies to its internal supplies distribution centres at Hull and Newport but it hopes branches will follow. It reports very positive responses from some major customers.
All 12 branches of IDS recently achieved both PEFC and FSC certification and will start selling certified products from August 1.
