HHGL timber policy
Our goal is to ensure all timber and wood products supplied to Homebase (UK&I) Holdings Limited, and its UK and ROI operating companies, originate from:
- Legal, responsibly sourced and well-managed forest operations
- Plantations or native forest that do not contribute to deforestation by conversion or clearing
- Forests that provide direct benefit to local communities
We have a zero-tolerance approach to illegal timber. To ensure that our goal is achieved, Homebase has worked with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) since 1992, supporting its initiative to eliminate illegal logging through the Global Forest & Trade Network (GFTN).
GFTN-UK has now ended but we will continue to work closely with suppliers to confirm the legality of wood products. Homebase evaluate all suppliers of timber products and conduct annual timber supply chain due diligence to verify the source and chain-of-custody of the timber products we purchase. We work with key industry groups, government and environmental organisations to continuously improve our timber sourcing practices.
We will continue monitoring and reporting supplier performance and agree action plans on an annual basis. In sensitive forest regions the timber that we purchase must have credible third-party certification. This ensures that these regions are protected, and the ongoing biodiversity of the forest is maintained.
In 2017 more than 95% of Homebase’s total timber products are sourced from independently certified forests, verified sources or sourced with demonstrated progress towards achieving independent certification, such as that provided by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
Further information regarding FSC and PEFC can be found on the following links:
We believe that our customers and team members have a right to know that the timber we sell is responsibly sourced and we remain committed to ensuring that we provide this assurance.
In line with our supplier terms and conditions that are shared with all our partners annually, all products supplied to Homebase must be compliant with regulations applicable in the UK and ROI, including the EU Timber Regulation. Our timber sourcing policy extends to timber-based products we use within our everyday operations. Our procurement policy covers the environmental impacts of goods not for resale and sets out to minimise negative environmental impacts of goods and services purchased across their whole life cycle, from raw material extraction to end of life. All paper used within our business including all printed paper and marketing materials such as flyers and brochures are FSC certified.