RPP Hub

The TTF offers guidance and advice on a whole host of technical and trade issues at the heart of the UK timber industry.

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RPP annual submission extension:

 

The annual RPP submission deadline has been extended to September if needed. However, to help us plan audits and remaining submissions, please submit at your earliest convenience.
Should you require the extension or need assistance email submissions@ttf.co.uk

The TTF RPP is a risk management framework for the continuous improvement of TTF Members’ awareness of what their obligations are under the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) and TTF Code of Conducts, and how they can meet these requirements.

 

At its core, the RPP provides members with the tools and guidance needed to meet the applicable legislations, providing a level playing field for all members and market reassurance and confidence for customers interacting with TTF members. This will be monitored through a streamlined reporting, data collection and annual audit process, enabling robust analysis.

The History of the RPP

For many years, Members of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) have been at the forefront of the industry, purchasing timber products responsibly and marketing the benefits of such products to customers.

 

With growing awareness of the threat and consequences of illegally-felled timber and false-declared products, companies are increasingly required to demonstrate steps to assess and mitigate the risks of illegal timber entering their supply chains.

 

In response to this, the TTF’s Responsible Purchasing Process (RPP) was developed for its Members in 2003, with a mandate by TTF Members in 2008 that a due diligence system should be compulsory for all TTF Members.

 

Since then it has also been adapted for higher risk products and countries to allow for an auditing process to confirm compliance with other regulatory requirements such as the Construction Products Regulation (CPR).

 

The RPP continues to be enhanced to capture wider sustainability concerns on a voluntary basis through the TTF Forests Forever Committee.

The Core Criteria for Procurement Due Diligence

The TTF’s Core Criteria for Procurement Due Diligence outlines what the TTF expects of a Member’s due diligence system, whether they use the tools provided via the RPP or their own system.

 

The chart below outlines the Core Criteria of a Procurement Due Diligence system and will be used as the basis for monitoring TTF Members’ implementation of Clause 3 of the TTF Sustainability Code of Practice.

EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES

Find below links to all of the tools and guidance needed to meet the applicable legislations, and confidence for customers interacting with TTF members.

What is the EUTR?

What is the EUTR?

Information and guidance on the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), the UK Timber Regulation (UKTR), impacts on due diligence and the TTF's RPP. 

RPP EUTR Toolkit

RPP EUTR Toolkit

Step-by-step tools and guidance to members to aide meeting the due diligence requirements for the EU/UK Timber Regulation 

Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery

Read the latest TTF Guide to the Modern Slavery Act 

Plywood guidance

Plywood guidance

TTF Plywood project 

Modern Slavery

The TTF Guide to the Modern Slavery Act is designed to help members deal with the recent regulation on slavery and human trafficking.

 

The Modern Slavery Act  2015 requires commercial organisations – which have a turnover equal to or larger than £36 million – to describe the steps they have taken to ensure that slavery and labour exploitation are not taking place in any part of their supply chain  or in any part of their own business.

TTF Guide to Modern Slavery Act

Chinese Plywood Guidance

A recap on what’s happened:

 

  • 2015– UK Competent Authority investigation of plywood products imported from China into the UK. High level of failure found concerning species misdeclaration and shortcomings in Importer’s due diligence procedure.

 

  • 2016 / 2017– TTF study on Chinese Plywood samples. High level of mismatch on glue bond declarations found on the product’s Declaration of Performance (DoP).

 

  • 2017 / 2018– Mandatory audit procedure on Chinese Plywood was ratified into the TTF Code of Conduct, All TTF Operator members importing plywood from China must have system in place to check and verify product labelling and performance concerning Glue Bond and Species, to
    • Improve the quality of the due diligence activities of the importer, in compliance with the CPR, when placing the product on the market and
    • Improve the quality of the product so that it would meet the performances claimed for it.

 

  • 2018 Jun – Audit guidance and checklist issued
Plywood project - guidance on What, Why and How
Tool D - Chinese Plywood
  • 2018 Sep – Trial run audit examining the availability of basic due diligence process in place.
Chinese Plywood Guidance based on 2018 audit findings
  • 2019 Sep – Independent annual audit measuring the extent to which importers had improved their due diligence process.
Chinese Plywood Evaluation Report Template 2019
  • 2020 Apr – Final Audit Report has now been completed and sent to individual Member. Please contact the TTF if you have not received the report. 
  • 2020 Q3/Q4 – Training / workshop to be arranged. Please contact the TTF for further information.