This guidance is relevant to your business if you supply timber or wood-derived products to UK government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.
All government departments, agencies and bodies must buy all their timber and wood-derived products from either legal and sustainable sources or Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensed or equivalent sources.
Some other public bodies, such as local councils, have also adopted similar responsible timber procurement policies.
As a supplier you need to be aware of the government’s timber procurement policy and how this might affect your business. Remember you may be part of a larger supply chain.
Does the timber procurement policy apply to your business?
The policy applies to your business if you supply timber or wood-derived products for use by a:
- central government department, eg the Ministry of Defence
- executive agency, eg Highways Agency or
- non-departmental public body, eg Natural England or the Environment Agency.
What does the timber procurement policy cover?
The policy covers materials and products including:
- timber used in construction, including as part of temporary site works, eg joists, window and door frames, site hoardings, formwork etc.
- office furniture, eg desks, shelving etc.
- office products, eg paper, notebooks, other stationery items etc.
- packaging materials or products, eg cardboard packaging, pallets etc.
- wood chips for producing energy
- fencing.
If you supply any of these materials and products to government departments, agencies or bodies you must check that they come from approved sources.
You should check the origin of your materials or products. If necessary ask your suppliers for details.
You must be able to provide evidence that your products comply with the timber procurement policy if requested. The evidence should state the source of the timber or product and prove that this source is legally and sustainably managed. For example, you could use chain of custody certificates from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes (PEFC).
Further information on the timber procurement policy
The Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) provides free advice and guidance to public sector buyers and their suppliers about the timber procurement policy and how to comply.
If you are not sure whether your product is covered by the policy or what type of evidence will be accepted contact the CPET Helpline or see their website for further advice.
Email: cpet@proforest.net
CPET Helpline: 01865 243766
CPET
CPET:UK government policy
CPET: UK Government's Timber Procurement Advice Note (April 2010) (Adobe PDF - 224KB)
Scottish Government: Scottish Procurement Policy Note SPPN 09/2004 Procurement of Timber and Timber Products (Adobe PDF - 128KB)
Scottish Government: Scottish Procurement Policy Note 9 of 2005 Timber and Timber Products
Northern Ireland Executive: Procurement Guidance Note 04/06 - Procurement of Timber and Wood Products (Adobe PDF - 235KB)
