by Eddie Pearce:

A few markets across Europe have shown a slight slowdown whilst others have continued with improvement in the imports of American softwoods.

House building in the UK continues to increase. Imports of constructional grade timber, particularly S-P-F, has continued to grow to levels which have not been seen in the past 10 years. So far total exports to the UK for the period up to May 2007, over 78,000m³ have been exported.

Timber decking in the UK continues to grow and the forecast by the Timber Decking Association is that  this market is likely to increase by about 10-15% in 2007.

During the period June 12 - 17, 2007, American Softwoods participated at Gardener's World Live 2007 at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. The purpose of participating at this show was to promote timber decking. It proved to be very successful, with a high level of visitors coming to the booth and over 20 good contacts being made.

The office relocation with AF&PA Tokyo Office on August 4^th, 2007 has been completed and we prepared for packing, unpacking, the new office notice, invoice related to the moving.

• Mechanical resistance and stability           Safety in case of fire 
• Hygiene, health and environment               Safety in use
• Protection against noise                               Energy, economy and heat retention.
  
  
  In 1988, the European Commission (EC) asked the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) to prepare families of standards that defined requirements to determine the suitability of construction products for use under the CPD. These new European Standards reference test methods, product and performance specifications and factory production control requirements. For each product type these are all brought together in a single document known as a 'Harmonised Standard'.
  
  Once a Harmonised Standard is published, all products covered by that standard sold for permanent use in construction works (building, civil engineering, highways etc), anywhere in the EU, must comply with the CPD. In all member states, apart from the UK, Ireland and Sweden, the only way to show compliance is by applying the CE mark. Whilst the three 'opt out' countries have said that applying the CE mark is not mandatory, compliance with the CPD is. It is important to understand, however, that the CE mark (from the French, 'Conformité Européan') is intended to promote the free movement of products within the EU by showing that essential health and safety requirements have been met. It is not a  Statement of quality; it is simply 'a fitness for purpose' mark which allows the Inpecting authority to remove unsafe products from the market when appropriate cases are reported to them.
  
   
   
  Timber products: CE marking

   

• Roof trusses made with punched metal plate fasteners: EN 14250
• Wood flooring: EN 14342 
• Structural laminated veneer lumber (LVL): EN 14374. 
• Strength graded structural timber: EN 14081-1 -  until 01/09/2007
• Solid wood panelling and cladding: EN 14915 -  until 10/06/2008
• Glued laminated timber: EN 14080 - co-existence period until 01/04/2009.

Harmonised Standards for other timber products are in preparation including:

• Pedestrian doors and windows 
• Wood poles for overhead lines 
• Structural timber with round cross section
• Prefabricated wall, floor and roof elementsFinger jointed structural timberTimber connectorsNon-fire internal doors
• Fire doors.