PEFC UK Limited

As my first full calendar year as National Secretary at PEFC UK Limited comes to a close, I would like to thank our certificate holders and other stakeholders for their continued support and commitment during 2024. This year, we’ve achieved some great milestones together: - Highlighting the importance of UK forestry via Homegrown Timber Event and other campaigns. - Encouraging the use of PEFC-certified timber in construction, including at events like Managing Moisture in Mass Timber Construction. - Supporting growth in sustainable packaging as more brands choose PEFC-certified materials. - Training over 100 chain of custody professionals globally via our auditor training programme. Looking ahead, 2025 is full of promise as we continue to grow our community, raise awareness, and provide tools to help organisations make a real difference. Wishing you a happy, restful festive season and a successful New Year.

🌟 A Tradition of Sustainability 🌟 Every year since 1947 the people of Oslo have gifted a stunning Christmas tree to London, proudly displayed in Trafalgar Square. What makes this tradition even more special? The tree is PEFC-certified ensuring it has been grown and harvested responsibly, with care for forests and the wildlife that depend on them. This iconic symbol of the festive season reminds us that we can celebrate joyfully while also protecting our planet. 🎄 Let’s make this holiday season a celebration of sustainability! 📸: westminster.gov #Sustainability #PEFC #TrafalgarSquare #ChristmasTradition #SustainableForestry

Understanding FSC™ and PEFC Certification Are you familiar with FSC and PEFC certifications? 🌲 Both play a vital role in promoting sustainable forest management at a global level but do you know the key differences and similarities between them? From auditing processes to chain of custody standards requirements, understanding these certifications can make a significant impact on your business. #Sustainability #PEFC #ForestManagement #SupplyChain Click here for more information: https://lnkd.in/d7ZexdZM https://lnkd.in/dQNSjuBw

🏗️ Member Focus Spotlight: AW Lumb & Co Ltd This month we’re proud to feature AW Lumb & Co Ltd, a builders’ merchant with over 60 years of experience supporting the housebuilding and construction industries. Certified with PEFC since February 2023 (Licence No: PEFC/16-37-2435), AW Lumb has embraced sustainability as a core part of their operations. 🌱 Adding timber to their product range was a natural step and achieving PEFC certification ensures they can supply responsibly sourced materials. For AW Lumb sustainability isn’t just a buzzword it’s a commitment to ethical practices in forestry that meet the needs of modern construction. 👉 Learn more about their work at www.awlumb.co.uk #SustainableConstruction #ForestryCertification #PEFC #Sustainability

Don’t forget to register for the PEFC RED II Webinar ⏰ On 5 December at 10:00 CET and 15:00 CET, we’ll introduce you to new PEFC RED II certification scheme, an innovative tool to help companies demonstrate their #REDII compliance. Get ready to discover how PEFC can help you with your RED II compliance – reserve your spot today! 👉 10:00 CET https://lnkd.in/eMKV9Y5X 👉 15:00 CET https://lnkd.in/e-iWxXku #PEFCREDII #Sustainability #RenewableEnergy #EU #Certification #Biomass

Important Update: EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) On the 14th November, the EU Parliament voted to approve a delay in the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) by 12 months. A number of other legislative changes were also approved which now need to be agreed with EU governments by the end of the year. 🌍 Despite this uncertainty at the PEFC General Assembly on the 13th of November, PEFC members voted to approve the revised and EUDR aligned Sustainable Forest Management benchmark standard (PEFC ST 1003:2024) Key updates include: 🌳 Clearer definitions for deforestation and forest degradation 🌲 Improved categorisation of forest inputs 🌱 New provisions for Trees Outside Forests within supply chains Our EUDR Due Diligence System (DDS) is also available to help chain of custody certified organisations meet their obligations. Join the webinar from PEFC International on the 11th of December to learn more about how PEFC can support you! 🖥️ 👉 Read more or register here: https://lnkd.in/eJn4RhWP #EUDR #SustainableForestry #DeforestationFree #DueDiligence #PEFC #Sustainability

🏆 Celebrating Excellence in Forestry Education - RFS Awards 2024 We were honoured to sponsor the Education & Learning Award at the recent RFS Excellence in Forestry Awards 2024. This award celebrates outstanding efforts to enhance awareness, skills and understanding of the potential of woodlands and forests. Congratulations to our winners: 🥇 Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre: Forest school pioneers since 2009, hosting community holiday clubs and school visits. 🥈 Branching Out Forest School & Social Forestry: Providing bushcraft activities, holiday clubs and sessions for home-schooled children. Your incredible work inspires future generations to connect with nature and value our forests! 🌱 👉 Read more about the winners here: https://lnkd.in/eMNNTCnj #ForestryEducation #Sustainability #RFSAwards #PEFC #ExcellenceInForestry

🌳 A Day of Insight and Inspiration: Timber Construction in Focus 🌳 We had a brilliant time at our recent event exploring the benefits of mass timber construction and how to overcome challenges that moisture can present to it. Here’s what some of our attendees had to say about their experience: ✨ Mark Broom from Acme described the event as a great balance of positives and challenges. "It’s been really valuable to see how the designs we create on paper play out in the real world—what works well and what risks we need to be aware of." 🌍 Charlie Law MIEMA, ICIOB, CEnv, Sustainability Director at Timber Development UK, highlighted the benefits of timber in reducing carbon. "I hope everyone left with a clearer understanding of how timber structures can make a real difference in cutting carbon emissions, as well as the importance of designing with moisture management in mind." 🏗️ Connor Hunter-French from Willmott Dixon found the technical discussions particularly eye-opening. "The presentation on how timber absorbs moisture depending on its orientation was fascinating. It’s these insights that help us prevent problems before they arise." 🤝 Philipp Zumbrunnen from EURBAN Limited summed up the value of in-person events perfectly. "For me, it’s not just about hearing the presentations—it’s about connecting with others and working together to find solutions." The day was a powerful reminder of why we’re so passionate about using certified timber: its potential to transform how we build sustainably and the importance of sharing knowledge to overcome challenges. What are your biggest takeaways or challenges when working with timber? Let’s keep the conversation going below! 👇 #SustainableBuilding #TimberConstruction #KnowledgeSharing #Collaboration #PEFC

🌿 Reflections on Managing Moisture in Mass Timber Construction 🌟 On 12th November, PEFC UK, supported by Timber Development UK, hosted an insightful event at the NCVO, London, tackling the critical challenges of managing moisture in mass timber construction. The event brought together developers, contractors, designers, and specifiers for a day of expert presentations, lively discussions, and practical takeaways. Here's a recap of the highlights: Key Takeaways from the Experts: 🌳 Biodiversity & Biophilic Benefits of Specifying CLT Dr Mila Duncheva, Stora Enso, shared how sustainable forestry practices and Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) contribute to biodiversity, biophilic design, and healthier built environments. 📏 Carbon Benefits of Using Mass Timber Charlie Law MIEMA, ICIOB, CEnv, Timber Development UK, highlighted timber’s role in reducing carbon footprints, reminding us that we have enough timber to build sustainably—if used efficiently. 💧 Issues with Excess Moisture in Mass Timber Phil O’Leary, Filros Consultancy, explained the hidden risks of moisture in timber buildings, emphasising the importance of early detection and proactive measures. 🛠️ Remediating Moisture-Related Defects Martin Milner, Milner Associates, provided actionable advice on repairing moisture damage while humourously reminding us that prevention is better than cure. 🔧 How to Prevent Moisture Issues in Mass Timber Construction Paul Newman, Structural Timber Association Ltd Timber Association, outlined preventative strategies across all stages of construction, emphasising that planning ahead can save time, money, and resources down the line. 📋 Insuring Mass Timber Buildings Kate Fairhead, Marsh, revealed that 60% of water-related claims arise from ingress issues, stressing the importance of engaging insurers early, learning from past projects, and showcasing proactive risk management. Panel Discussion: Mitigating Moisture Risks The expert panel featured: ◾ Steve Cook, Willmott Dixon ◾ Greg Cooper, Hybrid Structures ◾ Nic Clark, KLH UK ◾ Alex Brock, B&K Hybrid Solutions ◾ Kate Fairhead, Marsh Insurance Their advice? Consider moisture risks holistically, know the limitation of timber so that it is only used for the right applications, and always plan ahead for seasonal challenges. The Consensus? Timber construction is thriving, with incredible strides in sustainability, innovation, and resilience. By addressing challenges like moisture proactively, the sector is well-positioned to continue growing. A huge thank you to our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for making this event a success. Let’s keep the conversation going—what are your thoughts on the future of mass timber construction? Share below! 👇 #MassTimber #SustainableConstruction #PEFC #TimberDevelopment #MoistureManagement #CollaborationForChange

PEFC UK is delighted to confirm that PEFC International has completed its endorsement of the revised UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS) and we are now able to move forward with the adoption of UKWAS 5.0 as a PEFC-conformant standard for the UK from 1st December 2024. However, the FSC Revision process of this jointly endorsed standard, is still ongoing. As such, from 1st December 2024: 1. UKWAS 5.0 will become a PEFC-only conformant standard. 2. PEFC FM Certificate Holders will need to complete a transition audit from UKWAS 4 to UKWAS 5 before 1st December 2025 in accordance with the UKWAS Standard Setting Process. 3. Until such time as the FSC revision process is completed, dual certificate holders will be audited against UKWAS 5.0 for PEFC and continue to be audited against UKWAS 4 for their FSC certification. To find out more about the endorsement process and download the pre-publication text of UKWAS 5.0 please click here: https://ow.ly/ETNE50U75fg