Export markets are crucial to the lumber industry. The CLSAB has worked with other key groups to explain the function and reliability of Canada’s Lumber Grading system to overseas governments and approval bodies. These ongoing efforts are opening new markets for Canadian graded lumber.

In Japan, for example, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests recognizes CLSAB-accredited Grading Agencies and the NLGA grading rules and product standards. As a result, graded Canadian lumber is acceptable for appropriate use on Japanese construction sites, without having to undergo further testing, evaluation or grading.

Australia is another example. In that country, CLSAB has been successful in its application for recognition of phytosanitary heat treatment (HT) marks applied under the CLSAB-supervised grading system. This means properly graded Canadian lumber now comes under a special program of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), which leads to random inspections, instead of the normal 100% re-inspection.

CLSAB works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in order to gain international phytosanitary acceptance of Canadian lumber. It also has sought recognition through the International Accreditation Forum. This will help to expand the recognition of CLSAB-accredited Grading Agencies’ stamps and certificates, and open up more new markets for Canadian graded lumber in Asia and around the world.