UK government decision following the Timber Procurement Policy review, places GiB on equal footing with international certifiers, removing barriers to the procurement of sustainable British timber

In a landmark announcement at the National Forestry Conference, Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh has confirmed that Grown in Britain (GiB) has been accepted as meeting Category A status under the Government’s Timber Procurement Policy, giving GiB equal recognition for their high integrity certification alongside FSC and PEFC for the first time.

The decision removes longstanding barriers to the use of British-certified timber in government procurement and major construction projects, marking a significant milestone for domestic forestry and the trusted certification that GiB has always delivered.

Industry welcomes landmark decision

“We’re delighted to hear from Minister Creagh, the unequivocal acceptance of Grown in Britain for Category A of the Timber Procurement Policy,” said Dougal Driver, CEO of Grown in Britain. “Our robust certification, now has official verification at the highest level, which will transform the fortunes of current and potential certificate holders.”

The decision has been welcomed across the construction and forestry sectors as a critical step in levelling the playing field for British timber.

“We are delighted with the news that Grown in Britain has been accepted as a Category A certifier of timber which the team has spent the last 10 years working towards,” said Justyna Wilkinson, Associate Architect at Stride Treglown.

“This gearing up in the Timber Procurement Policy removes any barriers to using GiB certified timber in the construction industry and adds more support for the Government’s own TIC Roadmap. This means more confidence and incentives in using British timber materials not only on sustainably focused projects, but also in the wider commercial market. So, we are extremely pleased to be able to share this great step forward for GiB.”

A transformational moment for the sector

The Category A designation aligns with the Government’s commitment to increase the use of sustainable, low-carbon materials in construction and supports the broader objectives of the Timber in Construction Roadmap – driving investment in domestic forestry, creating skilled green jobs, and reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment.

Grown in Britain certificate holders will now have full access to public sector projects while supporting the wider Timber in Construction Roadmap objectives, including:

• Strengthening domestic timber supply chains and reducing reliance on imported materials
• Supporting sustainable forest management across the UK’s 1.3 million hectares of certified woodland
• Creating green jobs in rural communities through increased demand for home-grown timber
• Building market confidence in British timber provenance and sustainability credentials

“Grown in Britain certification offers full supply chain traceability from forest to finished product – we’re the only certification body that verifies UK provenance,” says Dougal Driver.

“The future of our woods and forests depends on the material choices we make today. This Category A recognition enables us to support all those in the supply chain who are committed to using home-grown, sustainable timber. We’re here to help unlock the full potential of British forestry, for generations to come.”