Q-WEB will carry out a pilot project with seven of its members, the goal of which is to have external auditors check to make sure their suppliers have signed the Policy on Wood Origin and Legality – a requirement for Q-WEB membership.
An increasing number of countries are starting to adopt public purchase policies that require that wood purchased must be certified under a forest certification system, verified by an external auditor or an association with a code of conduct.
Next March, Q-WEB will sign an agreement with the association of wood importers of Japan, which will acknowledge its code of conduct as a recognised wood traceability system.
“As a company having signed the code of conduct, we ask our suppliers to commit to responsible practices when it comes to supplying wood,” said Guy Genest, president of Pinewood Lumber and Q-WEB member.
“These suppliers must provide us with the necessary information on the wood they ship, namely to verify the legality of their source.”