A recent study from World Forest ID that tested birch wood samples has found that 46% of wood tested may not come from where it claims. Experts have concluded that it is likely these samples have been laundered from Russia and Belarus as the regions where the birch is grown overlaps in places. 

Tests were not able to specify the country of origin due to the way stable isotope analysis works, but Russia and Belarus are said by the researchers to be the only plausible origins. This is due to the claimed origins of Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, and Latvia overlapping with these regions, making it likely that the wood was harvested in sanctioned areas without following sustainability requirements, then smuggled into the claimed areas to try and receive certification. 

Certification scepticism 

Timber samples tested that were certified under FSC and PEFC underwent chemical fingerprinting using a technique known as stable isotope analysis to find out where they originated.  

52 samples used for this research were FSC- and PEFC-certified – two of the world’s most used and trusted timber certification marks – yet 24 of these samples were not from where they claimed. 

Chemical markers from the birch samples were compared to a large database that covered northern and eastern Europe, allowing for a clear understanding of the region the wood was harvested from. The soil, altitude, distance from the coast, and climate in an area affects a tree’s chemical fingerprint – using stable isotope analysis researchers were able to determine that 24 samples could not have been sourced from where they claimed. 

This research, whilst small-scale, has raised concerns regarding the origin of imported wood – as it is possible these samples would have been imported to the UK under the guise of sustainability, misleading suppliers and consumers alike. 

The FSC welcomed the research as a way to tighten operations and invest into new techniques – such as the one used in this new research – to ensure supply chains can be reliably trusted. The PEFC, on the other hand, stressed that only 14% of these potentially fraudulent samples were associated with their certification mark, and generalisations should not be made based on the small study. 

Certification equals sustainability 

This research has brought into question the reliability of such certification schemes and their ability to accurately tell customers where the wood they are buying originates.  

FSC and PEFC certification are designed to guarantee sustainability, legal harvesting, and traceability, but if some of their certified wood is not from where it claims then it calls into question the trustworthiness of the marks. 

Chemical fingerprinting can be used as an additional way for these suppliers to further the reliability of their products, as instances such as in this research would be much less likely.  

Importance of local firewood 

This startling discovery, whilst a way for other timber certification bodies to tighten procedures and a potential way to implement stricter, more robust checks for sustainable supply chains, also highlights the importance of buying locally. 

UK-grown firewood is transparent, clear, and traceable – eliminating any doubts consumers may have about the origin of their wood fuel. 

Woodsure certification grants the assurance of quality wood fuel that can be trusted and is the UK’s only wood fuel quality assurance scheme. All wood fuel with Woodsure certification follows legality and sustainability, granting consumers the peace of mind that their fuel has undergone stringent checks to ensure it is clean and sustainable. 

The Woodsure supplier search also has an additional filter where you can find wood fuel suppliers near you that are both Woodsure certified and Grown in Britain Approved – giving you the assurance that your wood fuel is locally sourced and high-quality.