The Timber Trade Federation‘s (TTF) Responsible Purchasing Policy (RPP) is being fine-tuned to address concerns that it is too much of a financial and administrative burden in its present form.
Track Record Global Ltd, which is working with the TTF to create a supplier information service for members, is developing a facility to assist smaller companies.
David Francis of DHH (Timber Products) Ltd and chairman of the TTF’s National Panel Products Division said: “We broadly support the RPP, but believe there could be amendments.
“Our main complaint is from an administration point of view. Large companies will find that comparitively easy, but for smaller companies it will be a terrific burden.”
Mr Francis said members were being asked to sign up to the RPP between now and March on a voluntary basis. “If there was a vote tomorrow for it to be made compulsory I am not sure we would support it as some fine-tuning still needs to be done.”
Russell Paterson, chairman of the TTF’s National Hardwood Division, said the NHD executive committee overwhelmingly supported development of the RPP as a voluntary tool but some members had reservations about its present form, mainly regarding cost and administration. “We are encouraged that the TTF appears to have adopted a pragmatic approach to the continued development and introduction of it.”
Mike Cater of MCI Timply believes it would be damaging to introduce the policy on other than a voluntary basis at present but added: “Somebody has got to do something because the government and the NGOs are insisting on it – but do they realise we are already doing as much as we possibly can?”
Andy Roby, the TTF’s corporate social responsibility adviser, said once the supplier database was launched TTF members would be able to buy a “buyer assessment” at a nomimal cost per supplier.
He added: “The RPP is an evolving policy which will be constantly reviewed to meet members’ needs and the needs of the market.”
