A major initiative designed to raise standards in the joinery sector and help promote it to the wider world has been officially launched by the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).

The Code of Conduct was put into action at the BWF’s Members Day in Leicester on March 27, which attracted a record attendance of 137 people.

It covers a wide range of subjects including customer care; technical expertise; the environment and sustainability; advertising; employment; health and safety; and education and training.

Exsiting BWF members will have to comply with the code by December 31, while new members must be compliant within their first year of membership.

BWF director Richard Lambert said: “By next Members Day I would like to feel the Code of Conduct is seen as an integral part of the BWF membership and a reality in everybody’s day-to-day business. That’s quite a big challenge.”

He said the BWF would work with members that do not comply with the code. “This isn’t about ejecting people, it’s all to do with encouragement,” he added.

&#8220By next Members Day I would like to feel the Code of Conduct is seen as an integral part of the BWF membership and a reality in everybody’s day-to-day business. That’s quite a big challenge”

BWF director Richard Lambert

Mr Lambert said 132 members had so far returned self-assessment forms, with 45 “definitely” compliant. However, 65 have no environmental policy, while 59 are without a written training programme.

The next steps will be to send out the first certificates, develop code guides and start assessment visits.

Meanwhile, new president Nick Howarth, of Howarth Timber, said the BWF would seek to draw in the next generation, maximise IT benefits, and review its constitution, subscription and budget policies.