CEI-Bois: CE standard for wood products recognised in Japan

Feb 15, 2012. /Lesprom Network/. A CE standard for wood products has been recognised in Japan or the first time. This will simplify exports of construction timber to Japan, for European sawmills, as CEI-Bois said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. CEI-Bois has worked through EuropeanWood to facilitate exports of wood products to Japan. “Recognition of the CE marked products for 2”x4” construction timber is a major breakthrough in our efforts to harmonise standards between Europe and Japan,” says Jan Soderlind, Chairman of EuropeanWood. Up until now European producers of 2”x4” products for structural usage needed a JAS certificate (Japan Agriculture Standard). From February 6, the European standard 14081-1 for design strength values for structural lumber is recognized in Japan. CE stamped 2”x4” products can thus be used in the same way as JAS certified products. Pine and spruce are included in the first step but other species can be added later. Recognised certifying bodies are NTI (Norwegian Institute of Wood Technology) and SP (SP Technical Research Institute of Sweden). Other certifying bodies can apply at a later stage. The European Wood is a joint promotion effort for wood promotion organisations in Europe, representing the wood and wood products industries. FrenchTimber, Norwegian Sawmilling Industry, proHolz Austria and Swedish Wood (a part of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation) are cooperation partners in EuropeanWood. CEI-Bois is the voice of woodworking in Europe. The association represents the interests of the European woodworking industries: over 350,000 companies with a turnover of around Euro 180 billion in the EU27 and more than 2.4 million employees.