Wolseley support legal timber sourcing

Builders merchant group Wolseley UK has developed a new system for its timber suppliers in anticipation of new EU legislation to crack down on illegal timber.

‘InSite’, the new 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.”