world news - 22.11.2006
CE marking to be extended to structural lumber
All timbers for any structural use in Europe (EU-25 plus
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), regardless of origin,
had to be marked CE as referred in the European standard EN14081 and
classified according to mechanical criterion. With the new regulation,
all sawnwoods, including tropical, will have to be tested to get a
strength grading which will permit the CE marking. This strength
prerequisite (known as EN 284) has been only carried out for few
tropical species in the UK and the Netherlands, graded according to the
following mechanical classes: iroko, jarrah (D40); keruing, merbau,
opepe (D50); azobe, ekki, kampas, kapur (D60); and balau (D70).
According to ITTO Council’s Trade Advisory Group
(TAG), this requirement is likely to have a strong effect on
future consumption of tropical timber in Europe and could
become a trade barrier for three reasons. Firstly, the larger
variety of tropical timber species as compared with
temperate species would imply the need for extensive and
expensive testing work. Secondly, the new requirement
would limit the introduction of lesser known species in the
market. Thirdly, since testing can only be carried out by
laboratories recognised by the EU, this requirement would
be a source of major economic constraint to producing
countries. Small and medium sized industries face more
difficulties to implement the CE marking process due to
technical and financial limitations.
See also:
- — Russia: Putin proposes raising timber export tariffs
- — Sweden invests in gas from forest residues
- — Russia: A paper mill costing 65 million euro will be built in Ivanovskaya oblast'
- — New biofuel power plant started up at UPM Rauma mill site
- — Opportunities offered by forests within reach of young people
