Timber & Paper

We use timber to make furniture and frames to support other materials.

Commercial forests — or tree farms — provide a range of materials, including timber for construction, joinery and fibres for paper.  Trees absorb carbon dioxide when growing and can help combat climate change.  But how and where the trees are grown and harvested — and the chosen variety — can harm the environment and jeopardise the livelihoods of people living in forested areas.  Sustainably managed forestry reduces these social and environmental risks.

The challenge

Natural forests continue to be exploited, mostly illegally, for valuable tropical hardwoods such as mahogany, that were once the mainstay of the furniture industry.

By collaborating with environmental and human rights groups, the timber industry has developed certification systems that provide a stamp of approval for timber from sustainably managed forestry.  The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is the dominant certification system, providing assurance that wood bearing its mark is responsibly sourced. The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is another widely recognised certification.

Soane’s commitment

We comply with the EU’s Timber Regulation (EUTR) and the UK Timber Regulation (UKTR) which are designed to prevent illegally logged timber being sold in the EU. As of the end of 2023, we ensure all timber used in products supplied through Soane workshops and third parties is independently certified as sustainable. This includes wood fibres used in wallpaper.