BM TRADA seminar explains certification

Environment minister Elliot Morley will be the keynote speaker at a seminar designed to educate local authorities and housing associations about chain of custody timber certification.

The London event, organised by BM TRADA Certification Ltd and sponsored by Finnforest, takes place on November 29 and is supported by the Timber Trade Federation (TTF).

John Tong, TTF president and managing director of Finnforest, will address the subject "Why Timber?"

He said the event was timely because the government's Sustainable Procurement Task Force was well on its way to producing an action plan, expected by April next year.

Mr Tong said: "The public sector is a huge purchaser of products and services for construction and timber plays a major part in that.

"It is vital, therefore, that specifiers at all levels fully understand chain of custody and use it to reach their sustainability targets."

The seminar, to be chaired by TTF chief executive John White, will see Mr Morley speak on "Government priorities", while the TTF's head of corporate social responsibility Andy Roby will discuss changing policies and trade initiatives.

"Chain of custody and what to look out for" will be covered by BM TRADA product/timber certification manager Alasdair McGregor, while Finnforest's Rachel Butler will ask "What is Forest Certification?"

Ruth Nussbaum, of the Central Point of Expertise on Timber (CPET) will examine the service provided by CPET, while the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' procurement adviser Bob Andrew will cover UK government policy.