Certified
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US architects and designers lack knowledge on endangered species
Many US architects and designers have limited knowledge of endangered and threatened wood species and often do not know which alternative species or materials to use. Even if they do know that a species is endangered, 40% would still chose the wood if a client requested it. These are the findings of a national survey of architects and designers that was commissioned by laminate manufacturer Wilsonart. The survey results were presented at an event for architects in New York. The survey also found that almost none of the survey respondents could correctly identify most endangered wood species from a list provided but 70% agreed that using responsibly sourced wood is a priority. Potential legal liabilities under Lacey Act are not well understood by architects and designers. Producers and suppliers of tropical wood products have a significant opportunity and challenge to educate... Continue reading
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UK: Pressure mounts for imports of certified timber
The pressure on UK importers to purchase only certified material is mounting. Many of the UK’s largest timber distributors are signatories to the WWF Forest Campaign which commits them to sourcing 100% certified material by no later than 2020. Significant changes are already underway in UK imports of temperate hardwoods. The recent decline in UK imports from the US, of which around 55% comprises oak, was initially currency driven. The slide in UK trade in American hardwood began immediately after the Brexit vote in June 2016 when the pound plunged in value against the dollar. Since then, UK importers have grown accustomed to the greater uniformity and more appropriate moisture content of European oak (which is slightly higher and better suits UK ambient temperatures) compared to US oak and have been reluctant to switch back even as prices for European oak have risen. This is... Continue reading
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US architects and designers lack knowledge on endangered species
Many US architects and designers have limited knowledge of endangered and threatened wood species and often do not know which alternative species or materials to use. Even if they do know that a species is endangered, 40% would still chose the wood if a client requested it. These are the findings of a national survey of architects and designers that was commissioned by laminate manufacturer Wilsonart. The survey results were presented at an event for architects in New York. The survey also found that almost none of the survey respondents could correctly identify most endangered wood species from a list provided but 70% agreed that using responsibly sourced wood is a priority. Potential legal liabilities under Lacey Act are not well understood by architects and designers. Producers and suppliers of tropical wood products have a significant opportunity and challenge to educate... Continue reading
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US architects and designers lack knowledge on endangered species
Many US architects and designers have limited knowledge of endangered and threatened wood species and often do not know which alternative species or materials to use. Even if they do know that a species is endangered, 40% would still chose the wood if a client requested it. These are the findings of a national survey of architects and designers that was commissioned by laminate manufacturer Wilsonart. The survey results were presented at an event for architects in New York. The survey also found that almost none of the survey respondents could correctly identify most endangered wood species from a list provided but 70% agreed that using responsibly sourced wood is a priority. Potential legal liabilities under Lacey Act are not well understood by architects and designers. Producers and suppliers of tropical wood products have a significant opportunity and challenge to educate... Continue reading