This section aims to provide tools and guidance for timber buyers, which includes timber / paper manufacturers, traders, architects and builders, and retailers.
Practical Information for Buyers of Timber Products
Guidance on Responsible Timber Procurement
GFTN Guidance:
1. Responsible Purchasing of Forest Products Guide
This guide gives advise to companies on how to develop and implement a program for responsible procurement of wood products. The guide recommends a stepwise approach, with the first steps being to identify the source of the wood in each product and then phase out wood from unknown, illegal or controversial sources. It also recommends the buying organization to continuously increase the proportion of products from credibly certified forests.
2. Keep It Legal Guide
This manual helps buyers of timber and timber products to avoid purchasing wood and wood products made from illegally logged timber. The manual can be used by any company or organization which purchases forest products including processors, importers, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers.
GFTN recommends that an organization familiarize itself with the Responsible Purchasing Guide before beginning to use the Keep It Legal manual. The two documents are highly compatible, and the organization should adopt recommendations for best practice from both sources where the issues to be managed are complex.
Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification
The next step after implementing a responsible purchasing policy and eliminating illegal timber is to obtain a third-party verified CoC certification. A CoC certification is a guarantee that the timber / timber products originate from a legal and well managed certified forests. Learn more about CoC certification.
How GFTN Can Help
Other Initiatives
Support for Timber Buyers
The Global Forest and Trade Network (GFTN)
The GFTN, a WWF's initiative that aims to support forest certification and responsible wood sourcing can help companies in developing a responsible purchasing policy and obtaining a CoC certification.
Benefits for timber buyers joining the GFTN:
- Assistance with the development and implementation of procurement policies
- Assistance in linking to responsible and credibly certified producers/suppliers
- Information on non-traditional or lesser known wood species and sources
- Assistance in their efforts to encourage existing suppliers to pursue credible and comprehensive certification.
Learn more about GFTN and how to join.