Misunderstanding about CE marking of wood based panels is still widespread, despite the introduction of compulsory marking of panels going into construction.
Ken Edwards, chairman of the Plywood Club of London, said there was a “general malaise” among plywood traders about CE marking, which was introduced on April 1.
He said: “There is clearly a lot of misunderstanding about it. There is a desire for knowledge but also a great indifference as well.”
Mr Edwards said there did not seem to be much demand from customers for CE marked plywood, which, like environmentally certified timber, was a more expensive product.
He said the introduction of compulsory marking had been “a false start” because of the large available stocks of unmarked plywood manufactured before the April 1 deadline.
He predicted that, in time, demand will be driven by the major groups and production of CE marked boards would grow.
Timber Trade Federation product manager Nick Boulton outlined the challenges of CE marking during the club’s April 6 meeting. He told about 35 members that one of the most important features of the CE mark is in relation to fire performance.
Importers who send boards for treatment to improve fire performance or to have tongue and grooves added are effectively “changing the inherent properties of the board”, he added.
Mr Boulton said such changes to boards may not have been tested and could potentially undermine the CE mark, putting people’s lives at risk.
