A peer-nominated Oversight Committee of wood fuel suppliers has launched the Wood Fuel Quality Assurance (WFQA) scheme in Ireland.

The scheme was officially launched at the recent IrBEA/Teagasc Annual Conference at the Tipperary Institute in Thurles.

The scheme involves the publication of a National Workshop Agreement for Wood Fuel Quality Assurance - Requirements (NWA 4:2009) and the formation of a wood fuel quality assurance scheme for Ireland in conjunction with key government and non-governmental agencies and entities.

The quality assurance scheme will certify organisations involved in the manufacture and supply of logs, chips, pellets and briquettes formed from clean wood.

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This scheme will provide customers with confidence that they are purchasing a quality wood fuel from a sustainable source relevant to their needs.

The NWA 4:2009 includes both monitoring of the supply chain process and end product testing. Documentation requirements will ensure the wood is source responsibly. Customers are protected, as Organisations Certified under WFQA will retain responsibility for the product quality until the point of purchase at each stage in the process.

A number of organisations are said to have already signed up to the scheme and are currently going through the certification process.

John O'Brien, who chaired the Working Group and continues as chair of the Oversight Committee, commented: "The development of this scheme by key players, with the support of the sector at large demonstrates the commitment within the sector to delivery a quality product for the end user. The core objective in developing and implementing this scheme is to support the delivery of a quality product to the customer every time. Organisations who are certified under the WFQA scheme will I believe become the customers 'suppliers of choice' going forward."

(NS/BMcC)