The new manual includes the association’s Commodity Specification updated to the latest standards, with the addition of two new specifications covering preservative treatment of wood-based board and engineered wood products and timber for decks and associated structures.

Dr Andrew Hughes, chairman of the WPA technical committee, said the new edition was the result of “intense work to bring the association’s advice to specifiers, treaters and users of treated timber, up to date”.

He said: “The new manual is being released in electronic format for the first time, making it easier to update – an important feature in an industry where changes in standards and regulations are frequent.”

Dr Chris Coggins, director of the WPA, said the association was already working to take the user-friendly concept further by developing “a website-style system for treatment specifications”.

The manual is available to industry professionals and WPA members as a free download at www.wood-protection.org