Wood tracking systems

Has your wood put species and people in danger?

A major barrier to improving forest management standards around the world is the lack of differentiation in the marketplace between wood from well managed forests and timber from controversial sources.

Future wood supplies are threatened by unsustainable harvesting and illegal logging. This can only be changed if a critical mass of companies begin to apply good forest management practices, and if timber from proven well managed sources is preferentially traded and sold in the timber market, thereby marginalizing bad and illegal practices.

Demand verification
Demand verification from your supplier that the wood you buy is legal and non-controversial.

For more information on how to develop your responsible purchasing policy and how to track your wood back to the origin contact your local Forest and Trade Network.

Do you know the origin of what you sell?
A rough guide for when your alarm-bells should ring:

• Your supplier can not trace the source of the forest product. Does your supplier have systems that prove where their wood is coming from?

• The supplier is unwilling to disclose the source of the forest product

• The supplier can trace to agent, secondary or tertiary processor only

• The supplier lacks credibility

For tips on how to improve your supply chain and the risks and benefits of changing your supply chain to exclude illegal and controversial timber contact your national Forest and Trade Network.