Guidance

Timber: definition of legal and sustainable

Sets out the definition of ‘legal’ and ‘sustainable’ under the UK government Timber Procurement Policy.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 1 June 2013
• Last updated: 27 February 2025 — See all updates

Documents

Definition of legal and sustainable for timber procurement (sixth edition)

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Details

Defra is currently reviewing the UK government’s Timber Procurement Policy (TPP), including assessing certification schemes.

Stakeholders are invited to submit evidence of certification schemes’ compliance with the TPP. Comments can be submitted using the online survey until 30 March 2025. 

The UK government Timber Procurement Policy (TPP) requires that only timber and wood-derived products originating from an independently verifiable legal and sustainable source – which can include from a licensed Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) partner – will be demanded for use on the government estate. Appropriate documentation will be required to prove this.

This guidance details what ‘legal’ and ‘sustainable’ mean in the context of the TPP.

Published 1 June 2013

Last updated 27 February 2025 + show all updates

1. 27 February 2025

   Added the updated definition of legal and sustainable, 6th edition. Removed the previous version (5th edition).

2. 1 June 2013

   First published.