2012's green timber pledge

publication date: Jun 26, 2008

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author/source: Mike Essex

Morag Stuart, Head of Procurement of the Olympic Delivery Authority, has announced that all timber sourced by Tier 1 (T1) contractors for the 2012 Olympic Games will be ‘legal and sustainable'. This means they must be certified under a scheme approved by CPET, the Central Point of Expertise on Timber. All contracts will include this clause and any suppliers who breach it will incur a penalty - the maximum being termination of contract.

The ODA will appoint a Timber Supplier Panel of around 20 members that will remain in place for four years. The pre-qualification for the panel is out now, Stuart explained, and the results are likely to be announced at the beginning of June, with the first contracts issued in August.

Sub-contractors below Tier 1 do not have to use the panel to source timber and wood products for Olympic projects, but T1 suppliers have the responsibility to ensure that no timber is allowed on site unless it is certified. “All deliveries will have to booked in and on site audits will be taking place to ensure that only timber which meets the criteria is allowed on site,” Stuart told delegates at Trada’s recent In Touch with Timber seminar.

Stuart also gave assurances that suppliers will be paid promptly. “There is a fair payment clause on all contracts for payment within 30 days. T1 contractors are being audited for their ability to pay within that timescale. It is hoped that this will be self-policing because of the vast media interest surrounding the Games, but it will be monitored,” she explained.