Wolseley UK has completed the second phase of its chain of custody certification programme for its wide range of timber products.

Wolseley UK has held multi-site chain of custody certification for its Build Center brand since January 2004. Independent certification body BM TRADA
granted permission to extend the scheme to cover additional branches and products.

This phase of the programme has seen coverage increase from 5 to 20 Build Center branches, stocking a range of over 1500 products with either FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) or PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) endorsement. These products include sawn and machined softwood, MDF and selected plywood. Customers will also be able to order certified hardwoods and other specialist timber products that are not generally stocked.

Build Center intends to extend certification to 40 of its branches by the end of 2005.

The Chain of Custody programme aims to raise the proportion of certified stock throughout Build Center’s range of timber products, as well as increasing the number of branches included within the scheme. However, even Build Center branches that do not yet hold certification can still provide evidence of legal felling and sustainability to customers, if requested.

European and UK Government have introduced a number of measures to encourage organisations to be more environmentally responsible. In 2004 the UK Government introduced its Timber Procurement Policy, which ensures that timber used for construction within the public sector is legally logged and traded.

Build Center has already seen evidence of large contractors and construction organisations adopting the same policy. Examples include Barratt, Britain’s largest house builder, which is supplied with certified ‘I - beams’ by Build Center.

Adrian Barden, managing director of Wolseley UK said

“Our customers are aware of their own environmental responsibilities, and they are coming under increasing pressure from environmental groups, government and their customers to act accordingly. In order to achieve this they have a desire to work in partnership with suppliers, such as Build Center, that are serious about environmental issues.”