From 1st of January 2012, in many European countries, all sawn timber used in structural purposes has to be strength graded and CE-marked according to the norm EN 14081. We at Koskisen have strength graded and CE-marked all whitewood and redwood sawn timber that are 32 mm or thicker and quality of export VI and better since October 2010.

Koskisen’s grading of sawn timber includes both strength and visual data. Timber is packaged primarily on the basis of visual quality, but the pieces also include a mark indicating the strength grade. In practice, each Koskisen’s sawn timber package contains several different strength classes from C18 to C30.  

-    We want to give more product information for our customers. This service we have chosen to provide free of charge. At request, Koskisen continues to offer, both sawn timber and planed products, also in only one strength class, says Tommi Sneck, Director of Koskisen’s Sawn and Further Processed Timber Industry.

Service well received

Some importers and wholesalers have chosen the Koskisen CE-marked sawn timber, because they can continue selling the same sawn timber as a strength-graded product to the construction industry or as a visually graded product to the wood-working industry. Wholesalers have reported Koskisen that this service has enabled their customers to use the pieces for various end-uses, based either on the visual quality or strength grade.

Some customers better aware than others

In some markets the customers are getting well prepared for the upcoming change in regulations. They have taken as a target to turn around all their stock before the end of the year 2011, in order to have all of the inventory CE-marked before the European Construction Products Directive applies.

-    Then there other markets and customers, who still think that no changes in sawn timber trade will occur and the implementation of the directive will be further postponed. Time will tell what happens, but one thing is for sure: Koskisen sawn timber is CE-marked and ready for the change, concludes Sneck.

For more information, contact your nearest Sales Representative, contact information you will find here.