A crackdown on timber traders who fail to comply with the law promised by Worcestershire Trading Standards has been backed by the Timber Trade Federation (TTF).
The pledge follows the successful prosecution of James E Smith (Timber) Ltd of Hockley for offences under the Trade Descriptions Act 1968 (TTJ August 11/18) – one of the first prosecutions of its type in the UK.
The success prompted Worcestershire Trading Standards – which brought the prosecution – to warn that similar cases could be brought.
Dustin Hawkes, a Worcester-shire trading standards enforcement officer, said: ‘The reputation of the timber industry is suffering due to the supply of timber which does not correspond with descriptions applied to it.
‘It is important for the industry to view the sentencing in the recent case as a warning that the courts will punish suppliers of misdescribed timber.’
He said anyone unsure of timber they had purchased should contact their local Trading Standards Department.
Paul Martin, director-general of the TTF, said: ‘This case sends a clear signal that trading standards officers are willing and capable of successfully prosecuting those that misdescribe timber and wood products.
‘It is clear that companies that fall foul of the law either fraudulently or through failure of management systems will pay the price in the courts. All TTF members should make sure they have the management systems in place to prevent such things happening.’
He said the TTF’s upcoming codes of practice would drive up standards in the industry, adding: ‘Careful adherence to these codes would prevent such cases arising’.
‘We cannot influence those who are not Federation members, but trading standards officers can and will take action against such parties.’
