"I absolutely want Wellwood to be back in the TTF," said managing director Robin Learmount. "We’ve belonged for 25 years and value our membership."
Under the requirements of the TTF Code of Conduct, members must report on their due diligence illegality risk assessment of suppliers annually. If they fail to meet the deadline they are suspended, but given six weeks to file reports. If the required paperwork is still not forthcoming they are ejected and have to apply to rejoin as a new member.
"Our failure to comply was purely administrative, it was a question of priorities at the time and we just could not meet the deadline," said Mr Learmount.
Wellwood, he added, now focuses on European oak and Far Eastern hardwoods, 75% of which comprise finished products, such as cills, flooring, and finger-jointed laminates in species such as meranti and keruing.
"Our paperwork has always been regarded as immaculate as far as the RPP has been concerned," said Mr Learmount.
He added that following the introduction of the EU Timber Regulation proof of legality paperwork had increased. "We used to have six to eight pages per shipment, now it’s around 18," he said.
TTF head of sustainabilityAnand Punja confirmed that "four or five" other members had been suspended over failure to show evidence of due diligence, but had met their requirements within the suspension period.
"Ejected members must undergo a rigorous assessment procedure for readmisson and demonstrate they have robust due diligence in place," he said.
