Timber Trade Federation
Responsible Purchasing Policy (TTF RPP)
Introduction
Channel Woodcraft Limited recognises its responsibility to the environment and sourcing it material from well managed forests. As a well established business with some 80 years experience within the timber trade we have been able to develop reliable and credible supply chains that ensure all our materials are from both well managed and legal forests.
When the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) introuduced its Responsible Purchasing Policy (RPP) in 2005 we became one of its initial signatories, recognising both its importance and its benefits to ourselves, our suppliers and our customers.
Overview
The TTF RPP is a tool to guide and assist us in our commitment to sourcing our timber and timber products from legal and well managed forests. It helps us develop a purchasing policy that addresses environmental issues or concern to our customers. A supplier questionnaire is sent out annually which focuses on sustainable forest management criteria, allowing us to form a clear understanding of the risk that a supplier may be offering unsustainable or illegal timber. Suppliers are encouraged to improve environmental performance risk rating on an ongoing basis. We too are independantly audited on an annual basis.
Process
1. We are committed to the policy and continual improvement.
2. Suppliers are sent questionnaires which cover both general company information and product data.
3. Questionnaires are assessed against a set of standards allowing us to categorise our suppliers as low, medium or high risk.
4. Suppliers are informed of their performance and set targets for improvement.
5. An annual Managent Report is produced summarising suppliers assessments and areas for improvement over the coming year. This report is audited by an indepent audit body.
Our Committments
1. Management Structure
The Company has appointed a Director to be responsible for the implementation of this policy and will ensure that environmental issues relevant to the policy are discussed regularly at the highest level of management.
The Company will ensure that all employees associated with timber purchasing are aware of the policy and its committments, and are given appropriate education and training to allow its full implementation.
2. Responsibility
The Company recognises its responsibility to the environment, customers, suppliers and to staff to base its commercial activities on well-managed forests.
3. TTF Code of Conduct
The Company is committed to the Timber Trade Federation Code of Conduct and applies the Environmental Code of Practice to all wood procurement activities.
4. Legality
The Company is committed to purchasing all timber from legal sources and will seek evidence of compliance from suppliers that are operating in accordance with the laws of their country. The Company unreservedly condemns illegla logging practices and will keep informed of international processes and changes legislation.
5. 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.
6. Traceability and Supplier Monitoring
The Company will perform a Risk Assessmenton all suppliers, as documented by RPP. The Risk Assessment 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 the purchaing decisions. This information will be made available on request to independant verifiers.
7. Timber Certification
The Company supports international efforts to improve forest management, for example, the development of credible timber certification schemes. This Company recognises that the independant certification of forests and the process chain is the most useful tool for 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 - only if they are supported by publicly available standards drawn up in a fully particapatory transparent and objective manner and are backed by independent inspection.
8. Avoid Boycotts
The Company will not encourage boycotts or bans on specific species of timber. Notwithstanding this, the Company will cease to purchase any timber and timber products whose supply is in breach of the Timber Trade Federation Code of Conduct and in particular the Environmental Code of Practice.
9. Continuous Improvement
The Company is committed to work with relevant trade organisations, NGO's and Goverments to develop its purchasing Policy. The Company is committed to continuosly raise the proportion of timber and timber products, in accordance with the stepwise approach, that originate from legal and sustainably managed forests.
10. Reporting and Audit
The Company will report annually to the appointed auditors. The auditors will assess and verify the Company's progress and compliance under policy.
A cope of the Company's Responsible Purchasing Policy 'Company Committments' will be available to all stakeholders on request.
website address: http://ttf.co.uk/
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