The WPA has a genuine passion for timber and its positive impact on the environment
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The Wood Protection Association is a not for profit trade association. Together with its members, the WPA has a shared vision: to champion the use of timber as a building material.
We do this in two ways:
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by acting as a technical and advisory body – providing guidance to specifiers, contractors, engineers and architects on the best ways to ensure wood is fit for its intended purpose.
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by actively promoting the technology that enhances the performance and value of sustainable softwood products – mainly through industrial preservation, wood modification or factory applied flame retardant treatment.
WPA visit Downing Street
The roots of the WPA go back to 1934 with the formation of the British Wood Preserving Association. In 2006, the Wood Protection Association was re-launched to reflect the expanding choice of industrial pre-treatment wood protection technology. We continue to represent the needs of our members who range from large multi-national timber treatment manufacturers to SME’s, partner trade associations and individuals such as researchers or scientists.
Due to our collective industry knowledge and experience, the WPA is the UK lead body on all matters concerning wood protection. We have a respected voice with many British and European Standards setters – key for communication dialogue and influencing decision making. We have good working relationships with key UK government contacts, including the Health & Safety Executive, the Environment Agency, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and the Highways Agency.
Meet the WPA Team
Many of the Directors and Board members also sit on industry committees and working groups which further enhances the scope of work the WPA can get involved with.
Dr Matthew Powell
FR Consultant
Matt's past experience as a formulation chemist with a leading timber treatment business and his extensive fire test data research work stands him in good stead for his WPA role.
Barbara Westmoreland
Marketing Communications
Barbara has experience and industry knowledge gained from working in the timber treatment sector as well as being a trained, creative graphic designer. Barbara works at the TDCA in a similar capacity.
Caroline Hewison
Administration
The back office would not run without Caroline who also works in a similar role over at the Timber Decking & Cladding Association. Caroline has experience within the education and legal sectors.
Neil Ryan
Director
Neil has extensive experience in the wood treatment sector with a background in science research. Neil focuses on regulatory issues as they apply to timber treatment operations.
Janet Sycamore
Director
Janet is also a Director at the Timber Decking & Cladding Association and has over 30 years experience in the wood protection industry with a background in chemistry.
Stephen J Young
Director
Former Director of Operations and Company Secretary with the WPA, Steve's role now includes looking after corporate governance, reputation management and PR.
Dr Chris Coggins
Director
Chris has an extensive technical knowledge and sits on many BSI committees. He is regularly consulted by organisations with influence over building standards such as NBS and NHBC.
The WPA Board
The WPA Board consists of representatives from our different membership categories. We meet three times a year to discuss issues raised and hold an annual AGM.
Primary Partners
The WPA is affiliated to Timber Development UK
and works closely with the Timber Decking and Cladding Association
Timber Development UK (TDUK)
Timber Development UK has been formed from the merger of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA). Together they create the largest, most comprehensive timber supply chain body in the UK – spanning sawmills to specifiers and all points in between. The WPA is affiliated to TDUK. Under the Affiliation Agreement, each body operates as independent membership organisations. The WPA acts as the TDUK’s centre of expertise on flame-retardant treatments, wood modification and preservation. With WPA providing essential technical, quality assurance and support services under a united strategy to grow demand for added value treated timber products that can be trusted.
Timber Decking & Cladding Association (TDCA)
An independent technical and advisory body for the timber decking and cladding industry. Providing advice, guidance and training resources and a database of approved suppliers and installers. TDCA operates the Deckmark and Cladmark quality assurance schemes. The WPA share vital resources with the TDCA, occupying the same registered office.
Learn about our campaign to promote
'fit for purpose' treated timber
Industry Associates
Collaboration is a core value of all we do. We welcome partnerships with groups, companies and other trade associations who share our aims, as together we can reach a larger audience and achieve greater goals.
BM Certification is an independent certification body that provides auditing, certification, inspection and training services in United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, Finland, the Baltic States and elsewhere in the world. The WPA has appointed BM Certification to expand provision of its WPA Benchmark quality scheme for treated wood in the EU region.
Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE) An independent and impartial research-based consultancy, with testing and training facilities, offering expertise in every aspect of the built environment. BRE has one of the most comprehensive capabilities for timber related research and testing of wood based products anywhere in the world.
The Confederation of Timber Industries is an umbrella organisation, representing the UK's Timber supply chain. In collaboration with other timber trade bodies (including the WPA), their mission is to speak as a single voice campaigning to improve the business landscape, to grow the use of timber and develop a vibrant and increasingly prosperous industry.
Confor (Confederation of Forest Industries) A business support organisation for the forestry, sawmilling and associated products and services sector with a strategy focused on promoting wood as a sustainable low environmental impact material.
Highways England National Highways Sector Schemes ensure that quality management practices are applied consistently to all materials supplied for UK motorway and county trunk road contracts . Procedures for treated wood fencing specification and procurement is covered in Sector Scheme 4 (SS4). Much of the SS4 Scheme Document is based on and makes direct reference to WPA Quality Guidance Note 2 (QGN2) and the WPA Manual of Wood Preservation.
Nordic Wood Preservation Council (NTR) sets standards for wood preservation in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
NBT Nordiskt Brandskyddat Tra Nordic Association for Fire retardant treated wood, provides comprehensive information including the current rules and regulations regarding fire protection in Sweden and the Nordic countries.
Wood Campus The UK wood industry’s free information and learning site for specifiers, builders, merchants and DIYers. The WPA have worked with them to produce informative CPD training modules.
Wood for Good Wood for Good is the timber industry’s campaign to promote use of wood in design and construction - their objective is to make wood a first choice material for specifiers and designers by demonstrating what you can do with wood.
Structural Timber Association The WPA operates the FR Build scheme for the Structural Timber Association (STA). It provides third-party certification of the factory process used to apply STA approved flame retardant on timbers used in the construction phase of a building.
Swedish Wood Represents the Swedish sawmill industry and is part of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation. Its aim is to increase the size and value of the market for Swedish wood and wood products in construction, interior design and packaging.
Want to work with the WPA? Please get in touch
WPA Networking Opportunities
We hold an annual awards and conference where projects, companies and people are celebrated for their contribution to the industry. A variety of prominent guest speakers share their views and advice during conference day. Members and non-members are invited to participate in both the awards and the conference, proving an enjoyable and productive event.
tell me more
WPA can review your resources – this could be anything from a piece of literature, a poster, website page or a training course.
WPA Accredited Resource Service
The WPA Accreditation Service is designed to help members, third party organisations and key stakeholders in the treated wood supply chain, who want assessment and endorsement of their resources – anything from product marketing and technical information to training collateral.
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Applications will be assessed against the CCPI criteria and the broader need to support good practice throughout the supply chain.
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Dependant on material, up to two experts from the WPA team will review the resource and issue a short report with suggestions for improvement (if any) prior to accreditation.
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On approval of a final version, the WPA accreditation logo will be issued, which can be applied to the accredited material.
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Accreditation lasts three years, during which time the WPA will list Accredited Resources on its web site.
WPA Research Projects
15 year field trial: durability of British Softwoods
Again, in collaboration with BRE we are conducting a long term controlled field trial of sawn and pressure treated British Softwood posts at two sites with differing soil conditions – one in Scotland and one in England. In all, some 1,560 samples of treated and untreated spruce, pine, Douglas fir and larch posts have been installed across the two sites.
Indoor Air Quality - research in collaboration with BRE
The WPA has commissioned Building Research Establishment (BRE) to help them understand how treated timber performs in the context of air quality within buildings. Such evidence can actively support the continued safe and appropriate use of wood preservatives to enhance the performance of timber used in construction.
Join the WPA
and help to support our valuable work for the industry
We welcome new members. Joining the WPA adds value to your business as it not only demonstrates a responsible approach to wood protection but gives you direct access to independent help and advice as well as providing a channel of communication with trade and regulatory bodies. Members also receive reduced rates when applying for WPA Benchmark Quality Approval schemes.
In addition, we pledge to:
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listen to our members – understand their needs and support them wherever possible
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develop and promote best practices in training, quality, safety and technical standards
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raise awareness of the benefits of wood protection
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defend existing markets and help to create and develop new opportunities
The WPA has the following classes of Membership:
Manufacturers for businesses or corporate bodies engaged in the production of formulations, materials, products and the process technology used to enhance the properties of wood.
Timber Treaters for businesses or corporate bodies involved in the production of enhanced wood products.
Commercial for businesses or corporate bodies involved in the commercial production or supply of products or services associated with wood protection or the disposal of treated wood.
Trade, Technical and Learned Bodies for consultancies, businesses or timber trade organisations/associations and universities with an interest in wood protection technology.
Personal for individual consultants and scientists or researchers with an interest in wood protection technology.
