As wood products buyers increasingly ask to know the sources of lumber and panel, seeking origins in well-managed forests, an ISO standard-in-development is gaining traction within the industry.

For ISO/PC 287 - Chain of custody of wood and wood-based products -  the secretariat is held by ABNT, ISO's member in Brazil, and co-led by DIN, ISO's member in Germany.

Aware of devastating effects from illegal logging and deforestation, buyers want reliable evidence that wood-based products are derived from sustainably sources.

ISO's upcoming standard for the traceability of wood products, ISO 38001, has now reached the first consultation phase, where ISO members involved in its development have four months to form a national position on the draft and comment on it.

ISO 38001 will demonstrate material originates from well-managed forests, and that the final product can also be tracked

Dr. Jorge E.R. Cajazeira, Chair of ISO/PC 287, said the future standard will enable organizations to reassure their stakeholders that the wood they are using comes from sustainable sources.

“ISO 38001 will not only demonstrate that the raw material originates from well-managed forests, but that the final product can also be tracked through its various stages of production,” he explained. “This can go towards encouraging the use of traceable wood and even preventing illegally sourced wood from getting into the supply chain.”

ISO 38001, Chain of custody of wood and wood-based products – Requirements, is expected to be published in May 2017.

ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is the world’s largest developer and publisher of International Standards. A network of national standards bodies from 162 countries, ISO is based in Geneva, Switzerland.