Preservation of the world’s natural beauty is no longer an afterthought for many people. Gone are the days when you’d buy products made from natural materials without thinking about how they came to be. Protecting the planet’s forests and woodlands is crucial nowadays, and for this reason we only sell products made from sustainable materials. Furthermore, we design and source our wood flooring to discourage deforestation and prevent support for illegal logging. This way, when you purchase, you can rest easy in the knowledge that you’re making ethical buying decisions and supporting sustainable forests.
What is sustainable wood?
Across the globe, there are over 184 million hectares of certified sustainable forests in 80 countries, according to the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). Sustainable wood is created from trees within forests that are sustainably managed, specifically by forest stewards who track and manage the environment carefully. This preserves delicate ecosystems, therefore meaning native cultures and economies are respected. The main focus of sustainable forests is ensuring their longevity through careful planning and execution. They take a long term approach to forests, rather than only focusing on resources and the short-term benefits. Sustainable forests are an imperative element to ensure the world isn’t overcome by carbon emissions, or that wildlife is left without a home.
What should you look for when purchasing?
On each of our wood product pages, we’ll state that the product comes from sustainable sources as above. Our products hold a huge number of certifications to prove their sustainability.
Direct Wood Flooring Certifications
We’re incredibly proud of our sustainably sourced wood flooring. Here are a number of the certifications our suppliers hold:
CE (European Conformity)
The CE mark confirms European Union standards are observed when the product is manufactured. It affirms that essential requirements for consumer safety, environmental protection and health are met. Products with the CE mark are manufactured, controlled and tested in accordance within strict EU guidelines.
ISO 9001:2008
Possession of an ISO certificate highlights a delicate process is enforced throughout the development and implementation of a product, with the quality management systems being constantly improved to increase customer satisfaction. ISO 9001:2008 confirms that the product has adhered to standard requirements throughout each stage of production.
Real Wood
This is a basic sign of recognition which identifies flooring made from 100% real wood. Furthermore, this is a good way of identifying real wood products from other floor types.
The European Federation of the Parquet Industry (FEP)
The FEP unites European parquet producers alongside suppliers. Moreover, it is the main representative body which defends the interests of the parquet industry within the European Union.
Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC)
As the world's largest forest certification system, the PEFC’s standards set the bar for sustainable forest management. Operations on both a local and global scale ensure environmental, economic and social benefits of forests are respected; and therefore enjoyed for centuries to come.
If you’re truly conscious about the impact your purchases have on the environment, buying your products from sustainable sources is a good place to start. If you’d like more information on the particular product you’re interested in, you can contact our Customer Service Team on 03333 201933 or email [email protected].
