85% of products available to the UK supply chain are now certified

A recent report initiated by UK Timber Trade Federation and funded by Dfid determines that “certification in the UK has moved strongly ahead in the period between 2005 and 2008. In all sectors and in all product groups, levels of certification are higher.” The proportion of certified products available to the UK supply chain is now close to 85 %.

Certification in the harvesting sector, at just over 80% in 2005, has increased to a level of 83.9%, but the most rapid growth has taken place in the production and importation sectors of the industry where overall certification levels have risen from 66.7% in 2005 to 83.6% in 2008. It is also expected that this figure had further increased to 85% in 2009. The report finds that the higher levels of certification in the harvesting, sawmill and production sectors have been driven by supply and not demand. There is some indication, however, that demand and awareness of certified products seems to be increasing and it can be claimed that efforts to raise awareness of certified timber are being rewarded.

The proportions in the report are based on information from the timber trade, but we will expect that the proportion of certified timber is also largely reflected in the paper and furniture supply chain. The report is available for download here.

The increased availability of certified products, PEFC and FSC, makes it even easier for the public sector to meet the requirements for sustainable timber and wood products and the UK timber procurement policy. The increased availability should be complemented by a further increase in demand for sustainable timber and CPET continue to raise awareness and support mandated central government departments and associated bodies in implementing the government’s timber procurement policy.  Local Authorities and Universities are also potential important drivers of a demand for sustainable timber and wood products and CPET continue to work to create greater awareness of sustainable timber procurement in collaboration with WWF and the Timber Trade Federation (TTF).