Nexfor is ‘disappointed’ at a Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) response to its concerns about the use of unproven imported Brazilian elliottii pine plywood in structural load-bearing applications.
For the DTLR, the company maintains, says the timber industry must take the lead in preventing continuation of use of the product.
Nexfor’s marketing and sales director Maurice Fitzgibbon is less than happy with the reply, having hoped for proactive support for his company’s campaign which condemns elliottii pine plywood in structural load-bearing applications while promoting its own OSB3.
Mr Fitzgibbon wrote to the DTLR in March outlining industry fears about the potential risks posed by elliottii plywood in specific situations.
He pointed out that elliottii pine plywood can be sold to unsuspecting roofing contractors who are ignorant of the fact that it has not yet proved its fitness for structural load bearing use.
And, he said, ‘Joe Public’ was being let down if products unfit for purpose were allowed to be used.
‘Business should be all about fair competition. Manufacturers have a legal responsibility to make products that are fit for purpose, hopefully sold at a price that enables them to make a profit, reinvest and continue to reduce their cost for production. Distributors and retailers wish to purchase products they can sell at a profit, with minimum risk,’ said Mr Fitzgibbon.
‘The response demonstrates that the TTF and the National Panel Products Division have a lot to do to get the DTLR to recognise the real world of unfair competition.’
He said it was clear that leadership in preventing continuation of unfair trading practices must come from industry at large.
