46 | Sector Focus: Preservatives & Fire Retardants
SUMMARY
■Professional users are increasingly risk-averse
■Shifting quality perceptions is the collective job of the entire supply chain
■Evidence shows that independent, third-party verification of treated wood quality is highly credible
■BS 8417 does not provide instruction on how to meet its critical minimum requirements
MAKING THE CASE FOR ACCREDITATION
Janet Sycamore of the Wood Protection Association says third party accreditation is the key to treated wood sales growth
Supplying preservative-treated wood is a highly competitive business, where sales often come at the expense of quality. Market research shows that inconsistent treated wood quality and end-user guidance are made worse by low buyer awareness around verifying that wood has been treated correctly for its intended use. As a result, the fitness for purpose of treated wood is being called into question.
There is clear evidence that professional users are increasingly risk-averse and are moving to alternative, man-made materials that they perceive as more reliable. In an age where sustainability and climate impact are key factors in choosing one product over another, treated wood should have a distinct advantage, but market perceptions about performance quality undermine its growth potential. Shifting quality perceptions cannot be tackled by an individual wood treater – it’s the collective job of the entire supply chain. For wood treaters and those who sell preservative-treated wood, moving to third- party quality verification is the only credible way to build end-user confidence and grow demand. It is an objective to which the WPA and Timber Development UK (TDUK) are totally committed.
Why? Because third-party quality schemes work!
Above: The WPA Benchmark support package includes use of the logo and Use Class labels
Quality refers to how well a product satisfies customer expectations, complies with industry standards and serves its purpose effectively within a given timescale.
TTJ | November/December 2024 |
www.ttjonline.com
In the UK, wood treaters have historically self-certified the correct treatment of their products to industry standards. However, when mistrust in a product’s ability to meet those standards is widespread, self- certification fails to pass the credibility test. Evidence from the US, Canada and Scandinavia shows that independent, third- party verification of treated wood quality is highly credible. Third-party quality schemes have operated for decades in these markets and are recognised as the main factor in sustaining buyer confidence and demand for treated wood.
Suppliers often point to treatment plant operations within the scope of an ISO 9001 certificate as evidence they are treating wood correctly. This is not necessarily the case. ISO 9001 confirms a quality management system in place aimed at consistently producing treated wood. It does not measure or verify the fitness for purpose of a treatment process or treated wood product – that’s the role of a third-party treated wood quality assurance scheme like the WPA Benchmark.
MAKING THE CASE FOR ACCREDITATION Here are 10 compelling reasons why third- party accreditation schemes, like WPA Benchmark, work. They are: 1. Objective: Independent of a business and its suppliers, third-party schemes provide credibility and an unbiased approach to assessing compliance with the recognised National Standards for wood preservation. Objective, third-party verification of
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