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Environmental & purchasing policy

Trees are one of the earth's most important resources. They protect our natural environment, while providing us with a renewable source of materials. Winwood Products is committed to responsible stewardship of the forest biome by promoting the sustainable trade in wood-based products from well-managed forests.

Management Structure

Environmental issues relevant to the policy are discussed regularly at the highest level of management and to ensure full implementation of this policy. Winwood Products ensures that all employees associated with timber purchasing are encouraged to act in accordance with this policy and are given appropriate education and training to do so if required.

Responsibility

The company recognises its responsibility to the environment and all involved in the chain of supply to its customers, and supports international efforts to improve clarity in the chain of supply of wood-based products to the end-user. We acknowledge that the independent certification of forests and the process chain is the most useful tool in providing assurances that any timber used has come from legal and well-managed forests, and will only accept or use labels or certificates which include environmental or sustainability claims if these are supported by publicly available standards drawn up in a fully participatory transparent and objective manner and backed by independent inspection.

Certification

The company supports international efforts to improve forest management and the development of credible independent timber certification schemes, which we recognise is the most useful tool in providing assurances that the timber comes from legal and well-managed forests. The company will only accept or use labels or certificates that include environmental or sustainability claims if they are supported by publicly available standards drawn up in a fully participatory transparent and objective manner and backed by independent inspection.

We have achieved certification under the following chain of custody systems:

Legality

The company will not encourage boycotts or bans on specific species of timber but we are committed to purchasing all timber from legal sources and will seek evidence of compliance from suppliers that they are operating in accordance with the laws of their country. The company unreservedly condemns illegal logging practices and will keep informed of processes and changes in international legislation.

Endangered Species

The company will not trade in timber species prohibited under Appendix 1 of the CITES legislation and will obtain the appropriate documents for trade in all other CITES listed timber species.

Supplier Monitoring

The company will perform a risk assessment on all suppliers, which will seek to provide the clearest practicable information regarding the sources of raw material used in the manufacture of wood products. This information will form part of purchasing decisions and will be made available on request to independent verifiers.

The company regularly obtains from suppliers:

  • Information relating to their environmental practices
  • Clearest practicable information regarding sources of raw material used in the manufacture of the wood products, the information received forming part of purchasing/sales decisions

Customers

By offering materials that have been independently checked and certified, Winwood Products is able to assist customers in obtaining materials from well-managed forests and with the least impact on the environment.

Continuous Improvement

Winwood Products works with relevant organisations in order to achieve continuous improvement in all aspects of this policy.

Reporting and Audit

The company will report annually to the appointed auditors, who will assess and verify the company’s progress and compliance under the policy, and conformity to current requirements for FSC® & PEFC certification.