Public timber procurement policy - UK approach

Implementation steps towards a public procurement policy – the UK approach.

The UK government took the approach to avoid procuring timber from illegal and controversial forest sources, by setting up and implementing a timber procurement policy.

This implementation can be identified in 6 steps:

 1)     To announce the policy

The policy was first announced in 2000 with a minimum requirement for purchasing legal with a preference for sustainable timber.  In 2009 the policy was taken a step further and now demands that all timber and wood-derived products must be from independently verifiable legal and sustainable sources or FLEGT-licensed timber or equivalent only. 

 2)     To define legality and sustainability and who and what the policy applies to

The UK government developed a set of criteria defining legality and sustainability. Please see UK Government Timber Procurement policy: Definition of Legal and Sustainable   The policy applies to all wood and wood products (including paper, furniture and construction) and is mandatory for all Government departments, agencies and non-departmental bodies.  Local Authorities are strongly encouraged to comply with the policy. 

A Commitment of sufficient expertise and adequate resources to enable effective policy implementation was identified.  The UK government managed to bridge this gap through the creation and resourcing of the CPET service.

3)     To develop a clear guidance on implementation of the policy for public sector buyers

Defra developed the Timber Procurement Advice Note (TPAN). See UK Government's Timber Procurement Advice Note (April 2010) for the most recent version. To support implementation in practice the UK government identified the need for ongoing support and expertise to enable effective policy implementation. This was achieved through the creation and resourcing of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET)service.

 4)     To develop clear guidance on how compliance with the criteria can be achieved and ensured

a.     The Central Point of Expertise CPET provides support and guidance on implementation and compliance with the policy. CPET runs a helpline, website, offers training and provides general support.  All these services are funded by the government to provide the service free of charge to the public sector and their suppliers.

b.    Guidance documents developed by CPET on accepted evidence of compliance with the policy include:

For certified timber and wood products:

i.    UK Government Timber Procurement Policy: Criteria for Evaluating Category A Evidence. Please see methodology approach described on the CPET website here

For non-certified timber and wood products:

ii.    UK Government Timber Procurement Policy: Framework for Evaluating Category B Evidence. Please see methodology approach described on the CPET website here

 The above documents are all supported by handbooks and further guidance detailing how to complete the associated checklists and how to evaluate risk through the supply chain and at the forest source.

c.     Model specification text and model contract conditions are also made available.    

 5)     Raising awareness of the policy within the public and private sectors

a.      CPET runs awareness raising campaigns

b.      CPET provides free training sessions across the country for the public sector and their suppliers and contractors

c.     CPET provides free support via the CPET helpline and website to the public sector and their suppliers and contractors

6)     Monitoring the implementation of the policy

a.     The UK government is investigating reporting requirements for all major construction projects and

b.     Implementing monitoring requirements at different levels across the public sector

The UK has had very positive feedback with this approach in avoiding procuring from illegal and controversial forest sources.  This has been achieved with minimal amounts of resources but strong willingness and political support.

The UK government would welcome the opportunity to share its experiences. 

For more information see our downloadable document.