Head of environment Chris Cox said that Timbmet was a signatory of the Timber Trade Federation’s Responsible Purchasing Policy and over the last four years had already developed a "rigorous due diligence process", vetting suppliers to ensure timber legality.
"But in common with most companies’ systems, this is largely paper-based," he said. "If we were provided with a Digital Passport from our exporter, containing all the information about the timber’s origin, and each stage it has travelled to the EU, it would be of tremendous help in exercising a new level of due diligence that hasn’t been available before."
The project involves Timbmet suppliers in Africa using Helveta Elements Wood (HEW), an "information management system", which has evolved from software developed for tracking timber under the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Voluntary Partnership Agreement scheme (FLEGT VPA).
The supplier uploads documentation into the system proving its legal right to operate and harvest. A unique ID is then given to each tree and this information is collated using an Android system on a phone, or documentation, then uploaded to the HEW server, creating the "first line in the Digital Passport". Further tracking data is added as the timber moves through the supply chain, including ‘mass balance’ calculations where material is processed.
"The Digital Passport will provide greater visibility in the supply chain, helping Timbmet’s due diligence exercise to reduce the possibility of trading in illegal timber," said Helveta director of product strategy David Kennan.
Mr Cox said that findings from the two-month pilot study project with Helveta would be shared with a range of stakeholders, including the National Measurement Office, the UK’s competent authority charged with policing the EUTR.
Mr Kennan said that, following the pilot, it was hoped to roll out the system to other users in coming months.
Suppliers and importers would pay to use it on a subscription basis.
