Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS®)’s Post

As published today in the Financial Times: Dear Letters Editor The European wood industries are fully supportive of the aims of the EU’s deforestation-free products regulation (EUDR) the practical failings of which, from a global south perspective, were perceptibly outlined by Alan Beattie in his Opinion piece Trade secrets: Why Brussels can’t see the deforestation for the trees (FT 18/07/2024).   To date the implementation of the EUDR is a salutary reminder that the road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions. As companies have struggled with its onerous requirements it has morphed into a prime example of the very ‘burdensome micromanagement’ criticised by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her recent re-election speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.   The difficulties associated with the EUDR’s implementation include the challenges faced by the EU’s own companies as they endeavour to deliver on their new legal commitments to making certain that goods placed by them on the Union market and those that are exported by them from the Union do not contain any item linked to deforestation and forest degradation.   Clearly, given the size and complexity of this task, implementation was always going to be difficult hence it was surprising to discover, via an independent third-party legal evaluation, that these new obligations needed to be implemented in a shorter time frame than has ever been imposed by comparable European legislation. As a result of the unprecedented tightness of the deadline the decreed transition period simply does not enable the objectives assigned to it to be met before the deadline expires - large companies must fully implement the regulations from December 30, 2024, while micro and small companies have a further six months and the regulations will therefore apply to them from June 30, 2025.   Additionally the obligations imposed by the regulation are objectively unclear as evidenced by the fact that the Commission has needed to publish 86 responses to industry queries on the interpretation of the regulation. A further 40 responses to queries are expected to be published by the Commission soon. To date 37 Articles of the regulation need more than 100 Commission ‘answers’ to be understood.   Consequently in order to effectively combat deforestation and illegal logging - and to translate the objectives of the EUDR into positive results - the European wood industries are calling on the EU to grant an adequate delay in the implementation of the EUDR.   Yours faithfully   Paul Brannen, Director Public Affairs, CEI-Bois - European Confederation of Woodworking Industries, 40 Rue Montoyer, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

A good and quick-to-read summary of why the idea that the UK and/or Scotland should rely on imported timber, over homegrown timber, may not be completely sound is here: https://lnkd.in/eQiQNXXm

Converting agricultural buildings into unique spaces can be incredibly rewarding, but it’s crucial to be aware of potential woodworm infestations. Learn how to spot and manage woodworm issues before they become a bigger problem with Rentokil Property Care: http://ow.ly/HjXy30sGBkL #Woodworm #TimberPreservation #BuildingConversion #AgriculturalBuildings #PropertyCare

Over the last few years, we've been working with a facility in Ayrshire which turn wood and forestry materials into green energy products for consumers and industry. Their production process which is focussed on locally sourced sustainable materials, produces pelletised wood products and briquettes. Initially we were engaged to provide a DSEAR Risk Assessment and Hazardous Area Classification study for their pellet production process.  These assessments are required for any sites handling combustible dusts or flammable liquids, vapours and gases. This process handles large quantities of wood products, which can produce combustible wood dust during handling, drying and processing. On most industrial facilities, quantities of flammable liquids and gases are often used for maintenance and machinery upkeep. All of these materials need assessed from a DSEAR perspective to ensure risks of handling and operation have been adequately assessed. With the expansion to produce wood briquettes, OTECSA were engaged at design stage to provide practical DSEAR and HAC guidance to help with the design and selection of equipment. Following completion of the plant, OTECSA have been further involved with the site to carry out DSEAR and HAC updates for both the pellet and briquette processes. As well as our expertise on DSEAR and HAC, we also support with environmental auditing and fire risk assessments as the plant has expanded. Our environmental specialists have engaged with the site's compliance team to ensure the site keeps up to date with current legislation and environmental requirements through regular auditing and updates. #riskmanagement #compliance #audit #hazardousareas #DSEAR #dust

In recent years, the presence of imported structural and engineered timber within the Australian market has significantly increased. This surge reflects not only the building activity stimulated by COVID-19 relief packages but also a growing recognition of timber as a more sustainable and energy-efficient alternative to steel and concrete. FTMA Strategic Partner, Staxa, are leading the way when it comes to navigating the complexities of timber importation, with a steadfast dedication to quality, sustainability, and compliance, ensuring every piece of timber meets Australian standards. Hit the link below to discover the Staxa difference, their approach to overcoming regulatory challenges, and their vision for a sustainable future in timber importation. #FTMA #FrameAndTruss #TimberImports #Sustainability #Innovation #TimberIndustry #StaxaDifference #SupplyChain

Legislation to protect hedgerows has been laid. If approved by Parliament, the Management of Hedgerows (England) Regulations 2024 will put baseline hedgerow management practices into law. The requirements mirror the previous approach under cross-compliance and include: > A 2-metre buffer strip where a green cover must be established and maintained > A restriction on cultivating or applying pesticides and fertilisers to the buffer > A hedgerow-cutting ban from 1 March to 31 August (inclusive). If agreed by Parliament, the regulations will come into force immediately. On land where there is currently no buffer strip, but which is not used for crop production, the rules will apply from 1 July 2024. Where land is currently in use for crop production, the rules will apply from the end of the first harvest that takes place after the legislation comes into force to allow time for the establishment of a buffer strip.

The attached chart, prepared by the B.C. Council of Forest Industries, compares forest policy management regimes in three producing jurisdictions. It also shows what's happened to timber harvesting levels over time. B.C. stands out for the degree of state control/ownership of forest resources and also for the stunning decline in harvesting volumes. The latter partly reflects the impact of natural events, but it also underscores the role of government policy in curtailing access to fibre in a setting where the 'state' owns the vast majority of timber resources. One can safely assume no other jurisdiction will seek to emulate the increasingly dysfunctional policy regime now in place in B.C., which all but guarantees the continued shrinkage of the industry.

If you're considering 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, it's important to understand the regulations regarding 𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 (𝐖𝐏𝐌) . Here's what you need to know. Whether you're shipping agricultural or non-agricultural products, you may need to use wood 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 . However, it's crucial to be aware that this could potentially introduce plant pests. 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤 : https://lnkd.in/gau68utw