Sourcing timber from sustainable and well-managed forests is important to Wolseley. Many of our customers, including governments, demand legal and sustainable timber and our sourcing practices in this area help to ensure our reputation for supplying high quality products. We are committed to the elimination of illegally logged timber from our supply chain.
In support of our global timber policy, which sets out Wolseley’s commitment to the responsible purchasing of forest products, our timber procurement process includes a global risk assessment system that identifies the legal and sustainable status of the timber products we purchase. The system provides a risk assessment of product information from our suppliers, including details of species and country of origin, and captures supporting documentary evidence. This information is verified for Wolseley by an independent third party.
The system is particularly valuable where timber is sourced from forest areas where credible certification schemes do not currently operate, which may pose a greater risk of non-compliance with our policy. Where high-risk products have been identified, we have worked with our suppliers to improve control processes or identify alternative products. Where there has been no demonstrable improvement, we have ceased purchases and removed the product from sale.
1 This year’s timber data does not include data relating to Stock Building Supply (see environmental performance page for more information). Data above relating to FY 2008 and FY 2007 has been restated to allow consistent comparison.
2 Timber sourced from forests certified by recognised sustainable forestry schemes such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes), SFI (North American Sustainable Forestry Initiative), CSA (Canadian Standards Association (Sustainable Forest Management Standard)) and MTCS (Malaysian Timber Certification Scheme).
The reduction in the Group’s timber purchases this year, compared to previous years, is almost entirely due to the contraction of the markets in which we operate.
Wolseley operates chain of custody schemes in its European businesses that provide independently certified verification of the ownership of products throughout the supply chain.
Documentation to support the chain of custody is captured by our risk assessment system. Certification schemes have made the identification of sustainable timber much clearer for our customers.
Wolseley is an active member of the UK Timber Trade Federation (“TTF”), with which it has worked in close collaboration since 2004, helping to introduce the TTF’s Responsible Purchasing Policy in 2006. From October 2009, all TTF members must demonstrate as a condition of membership a commitment to a process of due diligence in the supply of timber. Wolseley’s timber risk assessment system meets this requirement.
Our aim is to be certain that all our timber is obtained from legal sources and from suppliers operating responsible forest management practices. Where we cannot be certain, we encourage our suppliers to make efforts to improve their own practices and work towards credible certification. This helps us to ensure that, as well as being compliant with all applicable laws, our timber is sourced from sustainable forests.