The next event in the TTF’s information programme will be held on November 21 in Belfast for members of the federation and Wood Northern Ireland (Wood-NI). It will be held at the premises of Tradewood and attendees should contact Michelle Thomson (michelle@tradewood.co.uk ) at the company direct.
More workshops in the countdown to the implementation of the EUTR on March 3 will be held in the new year in conjunction with other trade bodies, including the Builders Merchants Federation and timber pallet and packaging association TIMCON. Details of dates and venues will be announced nearer the time.
Starting in April with a generic event around the EUTR and its Responsible Purchasing Policy due diligence illegality risk assessment system, the TTF has now delivered its workshops around the country.
In July it focused on how TTF members could meet due diligence obligations sourcing from tropical countries, with a particular focus on Ghana and Indonesia. This was followed by an event looking at the implications of the EUTR for temperate timber from Canada, Estonia, Latvia, Russia and US. TTF members can download the presentations from both events at www.ttf.co.uk/Environment/EUTR_RPP_Workshop_Presentations.aspx.
According to TTF sustainability manager Anand Punja there are several further key steps due to take place at EU and UK level for the implementation of the regulation. On November 9, there was a consultation meeting on the issuing of the European Commission Guidance on the EUTR.
Consultation on UK EUTR legislation confirming the National Measurement Office as the regulations competent authority and penalties for breaches will start before Christmas and remain open for six weeks.
This will be followed in the first quarter of next year with a European Commission and UK programme of communications further informing the trade about the EUTR.
