The Pan European Forest Certification (PEFC) label will be seen on timber in the UK very shortly, opening up the possibility for greater volumes of certified timber to come onto the market.

The development follows BM TRADA being accredited by the UK Accreditation Service to certify to the UK PEFC national governing body’s chain of custody, as endorsed by the PEFC Council in Europe. Forest Check has also been accredited to audit forest management.

Until now companies importing PEFC timber from abroad have not been able to use the certificates or logos.

Len Yull, chairman of PEFC UK, said: “This is exciting news. It has taken two years to put the last link in the chain, maintaining free access to the market for timber and wood based products. We have averted the danger that wood, an eminently sustainable material, would be discriminated against in competing with steel, concrete and plastics.”

He said a “large number” of timber importers, processors and retailers had waited patiently to benefit from the new provisions, which are International Standards Organisation compatible. It will also have considerable relevance to the government’s evolving procurement policy.

&#8220We have averted the danger that wood would be discriminated against competing with steel, concrete and plastics
”

Len Yull, chairman of PEFC UK

Timbmet is the first company to be registered with TRADA-Trak under the PEFC banner.

Mike Packer, Timbmet’s certified timber solutions manager, said: “Adding PEFC-certified timber and wood products to our range will enable us to meet increasing demands for greater volumes of high quality, competitively priced, independently certified timber.”

The Forest Stewardship Council‘s certification and labelling system has until now been the main method by which UK timber traders can gain assurance that products are from sustainably managed sources.