Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau

The Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB) is a private, non-profit lumber quality control inspection agency. Organized in 1903, it provides third party inspection services, grade stamping and educational training to more than 50 softwood lumber manufacturers, re-manufacturers, and drying/heat treating facilities in British Columbia and Alberta (in Canada) as well as the Northwest region of the U.S. PLIB also writes and publishes the Export R-List Grading and Dressing Rules. In addition to lumber manufacturers, PLIB serves wood packaging facilities that must meet ISPM 15 export regulations. The Bureau is headquartered in Federal Way, WA and has a Canadian division office in Vancouver, B.C.

Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau
(Headquarters) 
201-1010 South 336th Street
Federal Way, WA 98003

Tel: 253-835-3344
Fax: 253-835-3371

(Canadian Division)
PO Box 19118, Fourth Ave. Postal Outlet
Vancouver, BC V6K 4R8

Tel: 604-732-1782
Fax: 604-732-1782

Web: www.plib.org


On May 24, 1960 the CLS Committee approved PLIB as having the necessary organization, supervisory staff and trained graders to grade mark lumber to meet the United States Federal Housing Authority requirements.

CLSAB has accredited PLIB to supervise and grade stamp for each of the following classes of accreditation:

  1. Visually Graded Lumber
    1. in accordance with CSA-O141 (May 23, 2023), CLSAB Regulations (December 1, 2021), the NLGA Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber (2022) and CFLA JPS 1-05 (October 29, 2005).
  2. Agency Certified Lumber
    1. in accordance with CSA-O141 (May 23, 2023), CLSAB Regulations (December 1, 2021) and the NLGA Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber (2022) and CFLA JPS 1-05 (October 29, 2005).
  3. Fingerjoined Lumber
    1. in accordance with NLGA Special Products Standard for Fingerjoined “Vertical Stud Use Only” Lumber (SPS 3 – March 2023).
  4. Machine-Graded Lumber (MSR/MEL)
    1. in accordance with NLGA Special Products Standard for Machine Graded Lumber (SPS 2 – April 1, 2019).
  5. CE Marking
    1. in accordance with the MPA-CLSAB Agreement (October 17, 2022).
  6. Canadian Heat Treated Wood Products Certification Program
    1. in accordance with the CFIA-CLSAB Agreement (October 31, 2014).
  7. Canadian Debarking and Grub Hole Control Program
    1. in accordance with the CFIA-CLSAB Agreement (October 31, 2014).
  8. Canadian Sawn Wood Certification Program
    1. in accordance with the CFIA-CLSAB Agreement (October 31, 2014).