Robertson Timberkit has confirmed its strong environmental credentials as it was awarded PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) Chain of Custody certification through BM TRADA (Timber Research and Development Association).

The certification bolsters Robertson's reputation for robust environmental management and adds to the organisation's ISO14001 standard and the prestigious BREEAM award which Robertson received in 2006 for Scottish Natural Heritage's headquarters in Inverness.

The Chain of Custody certification gives Robertson Timberkit a unique selling point assuring customers that all of its timber is from well-managed, sustainable forests and ensures it is not mixed with controversial forest products at any stage of the supply chain.

To achieve the certification, Robertson Timberkit underwent rigorous audits by BM TRADA - who are accredited to offer certification for the two Chain of Custody programmes; the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) scheme.


Peter Bowen, Quality and Sustainability Manager at Robertson Timberkit, said achieving the new certification highlighted the company's continued commitment to environmental sustainability.

Mr Bowen said: "As a company, Robertson supports robust environmental management. We have taken steps to ensure that environmental impacts stemming from our operations should be as minimal as possible. We can only achieve this if we take a progressive approach and continually look at improving our standards.

"Chain of Custody certification enables us to produce products that people can feel justifiably good about buying. Confidence in the quality of our products now stands beside confidence in the source of our products. Timber has a key advantage over other non-renewable materials as it is indefinitely renewable and undoubtedly and one of the most environmentally friendly materials available today."

Ron Easton, executive chairman of Robertson Timberkit, added: "We are proud to be keeping environmental standards on the agenda for all Robertson companies, a commitment proven by this latest achievement.

"Improving standards not only helps protect the environment for future generations, but also improves our businesses, making them more competitive."

Robertson Timberkit, which has manufacturing facilities in Elgin and Seaham, already holds the externally certified ISO14001 environment management standard, an internationally recognised endorsement considered to be the cornerstone standard for organisations actively looking to minimise their environmental impact.

(GK/JM)