It is now just a week to go to the opening of the largest global event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, Ecobuild 2013 which runs from 5-7 March.

This year three of the world's leading forest certification organisations will be sharing a stand to promote and educate visitors on a wide range of issues surrounding the supply of legal and sustainable timber into the UK market. Joining PEFC on Stand S1130 will be the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and the Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC).

All three organisations will be promoting the benefits of using certified timber as the imminent introduction (March 2013) of the Illegal Timber Regulation (EUTR) into the UK will throw the focus on the importance of sourcing from certified sources as more important than ever. Basic obligations of the EUTR include the 'prohibition' on the first placing of illegal timber and timber products on the EU market.

Alun Watkins, National Secretary of PEFC UK said: "PEFC are in the process of changing their Chain of Custody Standard so that it meets the full requirements of the EUTR and this process should be complete by mid March. Now is also a good time to explore Project Certification to gain sustainability credentials for your newbuild or refurbishment and for small businesses to get involved with certification via Group schemes."


This year PEFC are also promoting two very specific schemes – Project & Group Certification. Project Chain of Custody Certification is a specific form of Chain of Custody certification for one-off short term projects involving different, smaller, uncertified contractors. The London Olympic Park was Project-Certified to great acclaim in 2012. Group Chain of Custody Certification is a simple and cost effective way to achieve PEFC-certified status by joining or forming a Group Chain of Custody Scheme, such as the successful one ran by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF), and is designed for companies with 50 employees or fewer and a turnover of less than £6 million. This is a cost effective and sensible option which enables smaller companies to participate in certification.

To help understand the vast and complex resource of tropical timber, the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) will be available to provide a wide range of information about Malaysia's sustainable forestry management methods. Sheam Satkuru-Granzella, Director of MTC, based in London, said: "Visit us at Ecobuild to find out more about the PEFC-endorsed Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTCC) and its work certifying Malaysian forests and Chain of Custody holders, to provide a rich and valuable source of sustainable wood, ideal for construction, decking, cladding and interior applications."

The SFI forest management standard is endorsed by PEFC and companies can certify to both the PEFC and SFI chain-of-custodies, both of which are accepted by the UK’s Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET). SFI President and CEO Kathy Abusow said: "Green building and third-party forest certification grew up together as progressive and effective responses to global concerns about sustainable development – and the bond has never been stronger. SFI is proud to have the international value of PEFC endorsement of SFI Inc.'s position as a highly respected, third-party certification program across North America while also providing access to SFI products in markets around the world."

PEFC, MTCC and SFI will be on Stand S1130 ExCel, London, 5 - 7 March 2013.

www.pefc.co.uk

info@pefc.co.uk