Supporting demand for treated timber

The Wood Protection Association (WPA) exists as an independent technical and advisory body for wood protection technology to support demand for wood. Important initiatives are being taken on a number of fronts - quality assurance, standards, CE Marking, qualifications, creosote approval and the Industrial Emissions Directive.

Building confidence in treated wood performance is a major objective. While other major wood consuming markets of the world have, for many years, benefited from third-party verification of the treatment process, the WPA Benchmark of quality broke fresh ground in the UK when it was introduced in 2011. Without exception, participation in this scheme has helped every treater involved to improve their plant operation and marketing opportunities. With 15 UK sites offering WPA Benchmark certificated products and applications from treaters in Latvia, Estonia and Ireland now in process, Benchmark is increasingly recognised as being relevant and credible in the supply chain.

Two important developments to enhance this scheme were announced at the WPA Members' Day on March 14. The first is a WPA approval scheme for preservatives. This will involve an independent panel of experts assessing penetration and retention data submitted by the manufacturers. If the laboratory and field test data is deemed to reflect what a manufacturer is advising treaters then the product will become "WPA Approved" and listed. The second is the news that WPA is in discussion with insurers about an independent warranty that will apply to WPA Benchmark products that have been treated with a WPA approved preservative. Options being looked at include limited consequential losses and not just product replacement.

Recently BSI adopted WPA recommendations to tighten the 30-year specification for UC4 sawn fence posts to reflect concerns about exposed heartwood. A field study to assess the performance of home-grown spruce, pine, Douglas fir and larch posts and techniques like incising is now considered essential by the WPA and organisations with an interest in these species are being consulted.

TTJ Industry Updates are a forum for trade bodies to address key issues.