NWFA Program Helps Firms With Lacey Act

St. Louis, MO, Nov. 19, 2013 -- The National Wood Flooring Association says its Responsible Procurement Program can help companies avoid the headache and expense of an inadvertent violation of the Lacey Act.

The law, which prohibits the importation of illegally harvested wood, has been in the news lately with the raid of Lumber Liquidators offices by federal agents.

“There is no doubt that wood products companies' imports into the U.S. are being monitored for Lacey Act compliance,” says Don Finkell, chairman of the NWFA RPP Committee, and chairman of the Hardwood Federation.

“The NWFA RPP provides these companies with third-party audits that demonstrate to the government that the lumber has been legally sourced.  It’s one of the easiest ways possible to show due-care as required by Lacey.”

The NWFA’s RPP was developed to recognize companies that work to sustain the world’s forest, but what makes the program different is that the NWFA worked with top environmental groups to develop the program, and utilizes third-party audits to provide independent verification.

Organizations involved in the development of the NWFA RPP include the Forest Stewardship Council, World Wildlife Fund Global Forests & Trade Network, Rainforest Alliance, the Nature Conservancy, and Scientific Certification Systems, which provides the required third-party audit for participating companies.

The NWFA RPP is designed to be transitional, which means that companies are able to gradually increase their level of commitment to sustainability over time.

Related Topics:Lumber Liquidators, NWFA Expo