Independent Netherlands timber research institute Stichting Hout Research (SHR) has unveiled a new business certification mark, guaranteeing to their customers all their timber is 100% sourced from sustainably managed forest, regardless of sustainability certification scheme.
The STIP (Sustainable Timber In Product) scheme has been approved by the Dutch Timber Procurement Assessment Committee, TPAC. SHR Director Oscar van Doorn said it also aligns with the objective of supporters of the Netherlands’ multi-sector-backed Green Deal and new Wood Covenant to remove logistical barriers to use of sustainable timber.
The STIP is not itself a CoC, he explained, but a business mark, confirming that a business only sells timber from sustainable sources, for example FSC or PEFC forests.
“It entails fewer administrative and logistical obligations and less paperwork for woodworking companies and their customers,” said Mr Van Doorn.
He explained that to become a STIP company, a business submits to exhaustive evaluation by experts from an accredited certification body to ensure all their timber is sourced from responsibly and sustainably managed forest. Once approved, they are periodically audited to ensure maintenance of STIP standards.
For more: www.STIP.org (currently Dutch only).