The Alliance for Wood ID Testing is a pioneering coalition of companies hosted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and World Forest ID, committed to ensuring that the international trade in wood products is both responsible and legal. By harnessing scientific research and technology, the group aims to combat illegal logging—a pervasive threat to biodiversity, climate stability, legitimate businesses, and local communities.
Pilot Projects
To this end, we are launching two parallel wood ID testing pilot projects focused on high-risk supply chains through 2024 and 2025: birch plywood and selected African species commonly used in veneer production, such as okoume and sapele. These pilots will support the development and use of processes, practical techniques, and reference data available to companies seeking to verify the origin of the wood in their supply chains.
World Forest ID/ WWF's Role
World Forest ID is at the forefront of this initiative, providing data, expertise and resources to ensure the success of the pilot projects. Our team’s responsibilities will include:
Leveraging trade data analysis to advise on high-risk products and supply chains.
Identifying the appropriate non-proprietary protocols and methodologies to ensure that wood ID testing is accurate, reliable, and consistent across different laboratories.
Identifying and partnering with qualified testing laboratories to carry out the necessary analyses.
Defining and contracting the analysis for the group, and providing participating companies with detailed interpretation results, including anonymized and aggregated comparative performance results.
WWF will play a crucial role in convening the companies, co-managing the process and communicating its results.
Industry Commitment
The companies committing to this endeavor represent all parts of the supply chain, from producers, through processors to retail. Their engagement and willingness to innovate will be essential to the pilot's success. Lessons learned and anonymised results from the pilots will be shared to amplify the impact and credibility of the work.
Impact and Goals
The Alliance for Wood ID Testing's pilot projects represent a significant step forward in the global effort to ensure the legality and sustainability of wood product supply chains. By demonstrating the practical application of wood ID testing, we aim to set a new standard for transparency and accountability in the wood industry. This initiative not only helps protect forests and the communities that depend on them but also supports legitimate businesses committed to sustainable practices.
Through collaboration, rigorous scientific analysis, and public reporting, we can make a tangible impact on reducing illegal logging and promoting responsible trade. The birch plywood and African veneer pilots are just the beginning. Together, we hope to create a future where all wood products are verified as coming from legal and sustainable sources, benefiting both people and the planet.
Companies that want to get involved should contact cicely.podmore@worldforestid.org
