ETTF finalises harmonised due diligence system
20 July 2012The European Timber Trade Federation (ETTF) has almost completed its harmonised due diligence illegal timber risk assessment system, which will enable all members to comply with the upcoming EU Timber Regulation, according to the organisation’s secretary-general André de Boer.
Mr de Boer was addressing an audience of more than 200 at the recent Chatham House Illegal Logging Update conference in London.
He said that several of the ETTF's 10 member federations hade already created their own due diligence systems. The UK Timber Trade Federation (TTF), for instance, has introduced its Responsible Purchasing Policy (RPP) and made it obligatory for members.
"But while some members have devised their own systems, others have not," Mr de Boer told the audience of government, industry and environmental NGO representatives. "So we have developed a practical, harmonised system that they could all implement before the introduction of the EUTR in March 2013."
Under the EUTR, all companies "first placing timber into the EU market" must demonstrate that they are using an effective, well-managed due diligence risk assessment system that minimises the danger of illegal wood entering their supply chain.
To avoid any clash or conflict with the due diligence systems already introduced by member federations, the ETTF's harmonised system was developed in close collaboration and discussion with members and with reference to their due diligence methods.
The ETTF has also liaised closely on due diligence with leading supplier countries to the EU, and certification auditing body NepCon has undertaken a pilot study to assess exactly how the system measures up to the demands of the EUTR.
ETTF member federations will meet in August to discuss the final details and it is hoped the harmonised system will be launched in September. The next, medium to longer-term aim, said Mr de Boer would be to roll it out to the other EU states.
