The importing timber industry has got a limited but important influence on forest management in the producer countries. The UK timber industry provides important incentives making producers improve their environmental performance.

Independent verification and forest certification are most workable ways for the trade to ensure “legal” and “sustainable” timber. There are many certification schemes such as CSA, FSC, MTCC, PEFC or SFI. But only about 7% of the world's forests are currently certified. Most of them are in the northern hemisphere and comparatively free from controversy.

Responsible Timber Purchasing often needs to go beyond purchasing certified timber or timber from non-controversial countries. Importers, agents and merchants increasingly engage with suppliers and encourage them to good forest management. In a global timber market this is a very difficult and challenging task. This chapter shows some tools for Responsible Timber Purchasing including the Timber Trade Federation’s Responsible Purchasing Policy.

Certification - Introduction

Certification - Facts & Figures

RPP/ Responsible Purchasing Policy

Contract Specification Clauses