Wolseley is leading the way in anticipation of new EU legislation to crack down on illegal timber.

The company is supporting its customers and suppliers in the supply of legally sourced timber with an innovative risk assessment system, ‘InSite’.

The web-based system involves Wolseley’s timber suppliers uploading information about all of the products they supply to the company, including providing evidence of legality and sustainability, to measure compliance with Wolseley’s Global Timber Policy.

Track Record - an independent, data management and assessment company - supports the suppliers in delivering the data, then verifies the information and evidence to risk assess and ‘score’ each item – enabling the identification and ultimate elimination of ‘high risk’ products from Wolseley’s supply chain. Any new timber suppliers must also complete the assessment in order to be considered by the company.

Jermain Cheetham, Wolseley’s timber and sustainable product policy manager - UK & Europe, said: “It is likely that legislation will be passed within the next two years which stipulates that all timber imported into the EU is from a legal source. We are taking the lead by proactively working with suppliers in the responsible sourcing of timber, to remove the risk for our customers, as well as providing access to a wide range of products from certified, well-managed forests.”

Wolseley is also an active member of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and has worked in close collaboration with the organisation since 2004 to develop the Responsible Purchasing Policy (RPP) for timber. From October 2009, all TTF members must demonstrate a commitment to a process of due diligence – as already demonstrated by the InSite process used by Wolseley - in the supply of timber as a condition of its membership. The UK government has also recognised the RPP as an excellent example of industry good practice in helping to source legal and sustainable timber.