EWPAA MEDIA RELEASE
29 April 2024
Safety concerns rise over non-conforming timber products
As the use of engineered wood products (EWP) continues to rise across Australia, so does concern over the impacts of non-conforming and incorrectly branded timber products being imported into the country.
The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) today released a report that details the significant risks posed by use of non-conforming EWP, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL), in residential, multi-residential and commercial building applications.
The ‘Non-Conforming Timber Products Update 2024’ report calls for builders, retailers, and consumers to be wary, ask questions, and use due diligence on product claims, citing possible safety risks, poor product performance and potential reputational damage as negative outcomes for using non-conforming EWP.
EWPAA’s Chief Executive Officer Gavin Matthew commented that while the majority of industry and the market was doing the right thing, a concerning amount of timber products that do not meet the requirements set out in standards and the National Construction Code was still entering the Australian supply chain.
“It is widely acknowledged that imported timber products are necessary for a significant number of building applications and to meet market demand, yet we are consistently finding that some products do not conform or meet Australian standards or demonstrate the required evidence of suitability,” said Mr Matthew.
“Products that are incorrectly labelled or not fit-for-purpose are entering the supply chain, which is concerning as non-conforming products represent significant safety risks for builders, consumers, and the industry as a whole.”
In releasing this report, the EWPAA urges builders, consumers, and other supply-chain stakeholders to commit to using only conforming and fit-for-purpose products.
This includes remaining vigilant, asking the right questions, and undertaking due diligence on product claims, branding and product information.
The Non-Conforming Timber Products Update 2024 is available for download at this link.
Enquiries
Mel Newcombe
Cannings Purple
M: 0410 461 816
E: mnewcombe@canningspurple.com.au
2024-04-29 EWPAA Media Release – safety concerns rise over non-conforming timber products
* About EWPAA. The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) is a member association for manufacturers of a broad range of engineered and solid wood products located throughout Australasia. https://ewp.asn.au/
