|
 |
 |
 |
Mandate
The mandate of the Market Access and Trade division is to help secure the right or opportunity to conduct commercial business in world markets.
Major Functions and Responsibilities
Focus on market access, defined as basic activities which secure the right or opportunity and positive climate to conduct commercial business, including:
- Tariffs and non-tariff barriers,
- Building codes and product standards,
- Environment and plant health issues,
- Incoming missions of international visitors with influence on market access issues,
- Education of key government, academic and trade personnel on the industry and products/product uses, and
- Advocacy of wood versus non-wood products.
|
Current Priority Issues
- Reduction of non-tariff trade barriers in all markets
- Elimination of all wood products tariffs
- Advocacy of wood usage in Japan
- Adjustment of discriminatory building codes in Japan
- Broader acceptance of wood products in Japanese products standards
- Environmental issues in Europe and other markets
- Eurocodes development and implementation in Europe
- Resolution of plant health issues, particularly related to pinewood nematode concerns in Europe
- Emerging market development and addressing key barriers to access in China, Korea and Taiwan
|
SPF Initiative
The SPF initiative is a market development program supported by COFI member companies as well as some SPF lumber manufacturers in Alberta. The initiative runs hand-in-hand with the COFI market access and trade program and is a subset of the Canada Wood initiative. Its mission is to promote the use of SPF lumber in three main applications:
- wood-frame construction
- outdoor landscaping
- remanufacturing
|
Currently active in Japan, China, and South Korea, the SPF initiative meets its objectives by putting on construction and design seminars/training, developing and distributing SPF related literature, participating in trade shows and by providing product support to local government and industry.
Market Access and SPF Initiative Steering Committee
COFI’s work is guided and overseen by the Market Access and SPF Initiative Steering Committee chaired by Glen Wilson, Interex.
For more information about COFI’s Market Access work visit the Canada Wood or Canada Wood - Chinese website and read our Market Access newsletters.
|
| |
|
|
|
