For some companies dealing in timber, the arrival of March has been met with apprehension as it marks the launch of the new EU Timber Regulation. Officially introduced on 3rd March, the law bans illegal timber entering into the UK and states that all companies must keep a record of the supplier, species, origin, amount purchased and product risk assessment.
The law also outlines that timber already in the EU must be recorded with both seller and customer details. Failure to comply as either an Operator or Trader will result in hefty fines and penalties unless there is proof of due diligence. So what does this mean for the industry? By specifying from a company with a responsible purchasing policy and implementing a full risk assessment, approved compliance can be achieved by an independent auditor in a relatively straightforward process.
In this month’s issue, FC&A profiles the recent project of Norway-based Kebony, which offers an alternative to tropical hardwood and toxic-treated wood. Utilising the sustainable, environmentally-friendly and non-toxic properties, KREOD is an innovative structure in the heart of London’s Greenwich Peninsula. Turn to page 6 to find out more about this unique material and state-of-the-art fabrication.
Elsewhere in this issue, we address how as an industry we can go beyond sustainability. Daan Elffers, Cradle to Cradle consultant at EMG unveils how we can push the boundaries of innovation to become even more sustainable. Along with the full article on page 34, you can also catch EMG speaking at SustainabilityLive (16-18th April). Full show highlights will be unveiled in next month’s edition.
I hope you enjoy this issue. Don’t forget, you can also interact with FC&A via its social network sites, twitter (@fcamagazine) and Facebook (facebook.com/fcamagazine).
