TRADA has added its voice to concerns about the recently published BRE responsible sourcing standard.
Regulations consultant Rupert Scott said the standard has “severe limitations”, in particular the lack of emphasis placed on material/land stewardship. Many sectors were also raising major concerns with the document up until the end of the consultation process, he said.
The Timber Trade Federation has already made its stance against the standard known, saying it has “muddied the waters” and will allow other materials to unduly claim comparable sustainability with timber.
‘We have had to address the fact that if we don’t manage our forests well today, there won’t be enough timber for later generations,” said Mr Scott.
“In contrast, the BRE standard places a limited emphasis on the issue of materials/land stewardship.
“It is possible to achieve an ‘excellent’ result whilst meeting only the minimum requirements for resource use,” he said.
TRADA added “dissatisfaction with both the content and consultation process” of the BRE standard from a number of materials sectors, including timber, has seen work begin on an alternative BSI standard, covering “broadly the same topic, although the scope and content are likely to be very different”. It is due for completion in early 2010.
