TTF announces new guidance on Marine Plywood – Third Party QA Mandatory from June 1st 2016

The Timber Trade Federation has announced new guidance on sales of Marine Plywood in the UK.

Following a meeting of the Governing Board of the TTF on March 16th 2016, it was confirmed that:  “As of June 1st 2016, all sales in the UK by TTF Members of non-independent third party Quality Assured Marine Plywood will cease.”

The decision has been ratified by the Governing Board and will form part of the new TTF Code of Conduct for panel product traders as this is updated. This means that only those products supported by Independent Third Party Quality Assurance can be sold as “Marine Plywood”.

The TTF will be issuing guidance via Merchants and other professional bodies as well as to its own members.

David Hopkins, Managing Director of the TTF said: “It is essential that our Members maintain the highest standards across all product ranges. We need to provide the market with the assurance and evidence it requires, that products sold by TTF members are fit for purpose and appropriate for the buyers needs.”
 
At the NPPD AGM on 17th February 2016 concern was expressed that the NPPD and the TTF could be at risk from on-going sales of Marine Plywood without supporting independent 3rd party Quality Assurance. Furthermore, plywood mills still appeared to be struggling to demonstrate, in terms of European Norm EN.350, the durability of species being used in production of Marine Plywood.

At the NPPD AGM, the date of 1st June 2016 was identified as the desired date of the NPPD from which further imports of non QA Marine should cease.