22.05.2026
Meeting on April 15, 2026, the ATIBT Wood Materials & Standardization Commission—now called the Wood, Industry & Standardization Commission—focused its discussions on standardization issues, processed products, and industrial developments in the tropical timber sector. Discussions focused in particular on customs codes, the quality of plantation eucalyptus squared timber, and the development of higher-value-added processed products in Central Africa.
Discussions first focused on the correspondence between customs codes and wood product families, a topic that is a regular source of disputes and differing interpretations with customs authorities.
The issue of decking boards remains particularly sensitive, especially regarding the distinction between codes 44.07 and 44.09, whose definitions sometimes appear contradictory in the customs explanatory notes.
The Commission also discussed recent difficulties encountered with certain shipments of Cumaru, where customs authorities questioned the identification of the declared species, even though all species of the genus Dipteryx are covered by the CITES appendice2 .
A cross-reference table between wood products and customs codes, revised with Peltier Bois, was shared to gather comments and suggestions from Commission members.
The Commission then reviewed a technical note on the impact of Eucalyptus variability on the quality of multi-ply square-edged boards for joinery.
This discussion follows concerns regarding particularly intense competition from Eucalyptus plantation products among others—presented wrongly as technically equivalent or even superior—against square-edged boards made from natural tropical forest species, notably Sapelli.
Participants noted that there is not “one” Eucalyptus but a very wide variety of species, hybrids, and wood qualities, with significant variations depending on origin, tree age, or growing conditions.
The Commission also highlighted the risks associated with the representativeness of the samples used in standardized tests, as well as potential discrepancies between the wood initially tested and the products actually placed on the market.
Several reports from the field highlight quality issues observed in certain square-edged boards: color variations between the lamellae, insufficient density, limited natural durability, and in-service degradation in joinery.
Members also emphasized potential misrepresentations linked to certain commercial designations deemed fanciful, reiterating the importance of maintaining clear and rigorous identification of the species being marketed.
The meeting also formalized the change in the Commission’s name, which is now the “Wood, Industry & Standardization Commission.”
This change aims to better integrate issues related to industrial processes, processing, and industrial organization, which are considered fully linked to material and standardization challenges.
Finally, members discussed the development of processed products with higher added value in Central Africa: EWP (Engineered Wood Products), heat-treated wood, solid wood reconstituted by gluing, and calibrated and standardized products.
Participants emphasized that markets are increasingly seeking standardized, calibrated, certified products that are directly usable in industrial applications, without the need for quality rework by customers.
Discussions focused in particular on thermally modified wood (TMW), a technology initially developed in Scandinavia and subsequently widely adopted in Europe.
This technique appears to be an interesting avenue for adding value to certain tropical species that are not very durable or face strong competition, such as Ayous. However, several points of concern were highlighted:
A specific technical note on thermally modified wood was prepared and shared with members to continue the discussion on these topics.
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