FEATURES
Continued from page 40
“It creates a uniformity of acceptable standards and
practices when supplying treated timber. These protect the
consumer and ensure they get a quality product,” De Klerk
says. He mentions that there are illegal treaters supplying
the treated timber market with sub-standard ‘treated’
products, that gives the impression that its treated and
mislead consumers, and will fail for the use they are
purchased for. “This in turn effects the image of our industry
and I think the laws help enforce that the correct product
gets out into the market,” he adds.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
with the assistance of SAWPA published the Protocol for The
Approval of Industrial Wood Preservatives in South Africa.
The document outlines procedures and requirements for
registering preservatives used in timber preservation. The
protocol document states that ‘all wood preservative
products supplied and used in accordance with SANS 10005
in South Africa must be registered with the Department of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries’. In addition, the products
must be in line with the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural
and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of 1947).
In terms of product standardisation, the document states
that a wood preservative compound or formulation needs to
be registered with the department and must adhere to
relevant SANS specifications. The product specification
requires that the product is manufactured and supplied to
the end user (in this case, the timber treater) within defined
quality standards. The treatment specification requires that
timber treated with the particular product complies with
defined quality standards in terms of the active ingredient
retention level and penetration requirements.
As a way of adhering to the timber treatment law, De
Klerk explains that VC 9092 requires certification bodies to
audit all timber treatment plants and test and inspect
preservative treated products. Apart from testing and
inspecting, De Klerk mentions that the certification bodies
also provide much-needed timber treatment guidelines.
“The permit conditions of the certification bodies ensures
that there are daily checks that take place to assess if the
correct methods are being used and the products are coming
out to an acceptable standard. We believe having a good
quality product ensures a sustainability in the market.”
TIMBER TREATMENT CHALLENGES
It is essential that timber is treated correctly and according
to the law. This does not mean that timber treatment is
immune to any challenges. Chemical preservatives are used
to preservative treat timber and these chemicals can be
hazardous to the environment, the public and communities.
It is especially important that those directly dealing with
the preservatives take extra care when handling
the preservatives.
SAWPA mentions other concerns related to the operation
of timber treatment plants are effective maintenance of
equipment and establishing emergency procedures to deal
42 APRIL / MAY 2019 //
Dipped or surface painted poles will only last as long as raw
untreated poles.
with spills and leaks can pose some challenges. The
association also says that proper management of waste and
effluent is a concern in controlling pollution on-site as well
as off-site.
De Klerk points out that pricing is another challenge
associated with timber treatment. “To properly treat timber
takes a lot of manual labour, a treatment plant and a lot of
chemical. These all cost money.”
He highlights that illegal treaters dip or paint poles, which
is a fraction of the cost, and in most cases don’t even use
preservatives, but merely something that gives a similar
colour to properly treated timber. He also adds that illegal
treaters don’t pay any certification fees or NRCS levies.
“They sell poles for a far cheaper price which makes the
competition in our market become extremely difficult for
someone selling compliant and correct products.”
ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW
To abide by the timber treatment laws, De Klerk’s advice is
for manufacturers is to be affiliated to a certification body
(like SABS or SATAS) and approved by the NRCS.
“These bodies do inspections and inform the producers
where they fall short.” In addition, De Klerk believes that the
preservative chemical suppliers can also assist with any
treatment queries.
From an industry point of view, De Klerk believes that
there is good awareness about timber treatment laws in
the industry, however consumers were at the mercy of
illegal treaters.
“I think the public aren’t very aware and are taken
advantage of by illegal product in the market. The general
public just don’t know enough about correctly treated
timber.” He praises the SAWPA for the work they are doing to
help create awareness about timber treatment and the laws
associated with it. “The SAWPA body is very helpful for any
information we need, and they will help the public too.”
The importance of abiding by timber treatment laws
cannot be stressed enough. It is equally important for
treatment plants and suppliers to be updated and informed
about the laws and any changes to it.
“The laws around timber treatment cover all aspects.
From products quality to health and safety of your staff in
the treatment plant. These help the consumer and the
supplier, so it is an important part of the industry to adhere
to,” adds De Klerk. He says it will make the industry
sustainable for the future and benefit customers for many
years to come.
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