The proportion of all timber and panel products produced in and imported to the UK that is FSC certified surpassed the 50% mark in 2008, according to a recent report by the Timber Trade Federation. This milestone highlights the demand for FSC certified products despite a substantial fall in overall volumes as the UK economy entered into recession.

Published in December 2009, the “UK Timber Industry Certification” report reveals the volume of FSC certified timber and panel products supplied from UK production and importation rose to 52% in 2008, from 48% in 2005. Importantly, this increase was made against a background reduction in the total volume produced and imported.

Despite lower levels of production in 2008 and 2009 due to the economic difficulties in the UK, panel production has been one of the successes of the UK timber industry in the last decade where FSC holds a large share of the market. In 2008, 3.2 million tons of panel mill consumption was FSC certified, representing 82%, compared to 72% in 2005.

The construction and furniture industries are important consumers of the UK produced panel products, and panel producers have taken the necessary steps to ensure that products consumed are certified.

FSC certified timber and panel products imported into the UK increased to just over 30% in 2008 from 27% in 2005, against a 20% drop in the total of imported volume. FSC’s market share in the hardwood, hardwood plywood, particleboard, OSB and MDF sectors has further strengthened from the years 2005 to 2008.

The Timber Trade Federation commissioned the study in 2009 to measure the development of certification in the UK over the year 2008. The study determined how certification progressed since 2005 and how it was likely to change in 2009.