The 5
th
Meeting of the ACCSQ WBPWG 11-12 July 2007, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
7 Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The
information paper from Malaysia appears as ANNEX 9 and 10. 44.
The Meeting noted that the initial findings were as follows: • Sawn
Timber 45.
Each respondent country has its own reference documents, and the purposes and description vary from structural uses to measurements, timber
characteristics and properties, as well as treatment. Hence, the details of these documents may require to be scrutinised so as to harmonize the product
characteristic among ASEAN member countries.
• Wood including flooring and mouldings 46.
Within this chapter, only the Philippines requires the information on the characteristics and properties of the products. They are on the sampling
methods, testing in compression, shearing stress and MOE. Other countries in ASEAN may either adopt or adapt to the International Standards before they
could establish their own standards and products requirements, with regards to flooring and mouldings.
• Builders, Joinery and Carpentry BJC of wood, including cellular wood panels, assembled parquet panels and shingles
47. Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines and Singapore require information
on specific requirements. In the case of Brunei Darussalam, terms associated with trusses, nail and screw holding capacity, jointing systems, column,
beams, etc are being regulated based on its national and international standards. The Philippines requires information on specification of wooden
flush door and windows. As for Malaysia and Singapore, contractors are required to comply with the Malaysian Construction Industry Standards and
Code of Practice respectively.
• Furniture, including furniture wooden parts 48.
Malaysia and the Philippines have specific requirements for furniture, in terms of strength and stability, specification, seating performance rating as well
as method of test for finishes.
7.2 Harmonisation of standards, technical regulations and
conformity assessment for identified areas
49. The Meeting noted that only Malaysia and Indonesia responded to the
survey, which appears as ANNEX 11. The Member Countries which have not responded were urged to submit their response by 31 July 2007.
The 5
th
Meeting of the ACCSQ WBPWG 11-12 July 2007, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
8
AGENDA ITEM 8: OTHER MATTERS 8.1 EU Regulations on wood-based products and ISOCEN
procedures
50. ASEAN Secretariat, on behalf of the CEN Representative, presented to
the Meeting the EU Regulations on wood-based products and ISOCEN procedure, which appears as ANNEX 12.
51. The Meeting was given a briefing on the PAN European Forest Certification PEFC process, the European standardisation process, and the
use of the Keymark and the CE Marking. The Meeting was also updated on the mechanism for non-CEN members to participate in the CEN Technical
Committees as Partner Standardisation Bodies PSB. As a PSB, national standards bodies will have to commit to implementing as national standards
the European standards developed by CEN Technical Committee in which they participate.
8.2
Dissemination of information on updates and activities on WBPWG through electronic media
52. ASEAN Secretariat
informed the Meeting that ASEAN Application Portal ASAP is still under maintenance and will update the WBPWG when the
system is ready for use.
8.3 Project Proposal to be covered by AADCP ASEAN-Australia
Development Cooperation Programmes for Wood Sector
53. The Meeting sought clarification from the ASEAN Secretariat on the
status of the project proposal from the AADCP “Towards a Regional Approached for Addressing Standards for Wood-based Products in an
ASEAN-AustraliaNew Zealand FTA”. The ASEAN Secretariat agreed to follow up with the AADCP and report back to the WBPWG soonest possible.
The Meeting was informed that the proposal from AADCP was a follow-up from the recent ASEAN-AustraliaNew Zealand FTA negotiation.
54.
Malaysia proposed a new project on “Establishment of National Quality Assurance Scheme” for consideration by AADCP. The proposal appears as
ANNEX 13.
55. Viet Nam proposed merging both projects since it would be covered by
the same Dialogue Partner. The Meeting agreed to maintain these as two separate proposals looking at the scope of the project as well as the target
group that will benefit from the respective projects. Further, the Meeting noted that the proposal from Malaysia could be submitted to APRIS II for their
consideration as it is more in line with their scope of cooperation. 56.
The ASEAN Secretariat also agreed to source other possible avenues for relevant technical assistance and capacity building programmes for wood-
based products as AADCP has not indicated wood-based products sector as
The 5
th
Meeting of the ACCSQ WBPWG 11-12 July 2007, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam
9 priority for cooperation. The EU Dialogue Partner would possibly be able to
provide assistance in wood-based products sector under the APRIS II programme.
8.4 Nomination of the New Secretary of WBPWG
