IRG 40 Annual Conference

The IRG 40 Conference will be held in Beijing, China on 24-28 May 2009. The website will open later this year.

TEMPLATE FOR IRG PAPERS

GARETH WILLIAMS SCHOLARSHIP AWARD BY ARCH

DEADLINES:

Ron Cockcroft Award application	15 December 2008
Papers (title and authors)	1 March 2009
Papers (full paper in Word format)	15 March 2009
Registrations	30 April 2009

Membership Renewal

Members' and Sponsors' online payment service

Organisational Structure

The following organigram summarizes the present (July 2008) organisation of the IRG:

organisational map

Committee Structure

Executive Council (EC)

The Executive Council (EC) is in effect the "Board of Directors" of the IRG and the IRG Secretariat; it is responsible to the Plenary Meeting. It is chaired by the President, who is the highest official representative of the IRG. The EC is responsible for implementing all the decisions of the Plenary Meeting and for the finances and administration of the IRG and the IRG Secretariat in accordance with the Statutes.

Scientific Programme Committee (SPC)

The Scientific Programme Committee (SPC) is comprised of the Section leaders together with the President, Vice-President and Secretary-General (ex officio). The main responsibilities for this committee are to create strategic, long term plans for the scientific activities and priorities of IRG, co-ordinate the activities (scope, priorities etc) between the Sections, make final decisions on the establishment of Working Parties and co-ordinate these between the Sections and review the activities and continuing need for individual Working Parties. The SPC reports back to the Executive Council.

Sub-Committees under the Executive Council

Finance Committee (FC)

The Finance Committee (FC) is a permanent sub-committee under the EC. It gives financial advice and reports to the EC. The members of the FC are appointed by the EC.

Nominations Sub-Committee (NSC)

The Nominations Sub-Committee (NSC) receives and reviews nominations for the position of President, Vice-President and members of the EC and makes proposals to the EC.

Electronic Communications Sub-Committee

This committee shall support the Secretariat and Membership with advice and guidance concerning electronic matters and in particular questions concerning electronic communication.

Ron Cockcroft Award Committee (RCAC)

This committee takes decisions on the granting of the Ron Cockcroft Award. It reports to the EC and is comprised of the immediate Past President and the Vice-President.

IRG Travel Award Committee (TAC)

This committee takes decisions on the granting of IRG Travel Awards. It reports to the EC. EC also appoints this committee's members.

Sections and Working Parties

The IRG is organised in Sections, each with a specific scope. At present there are five Sections that reflect main areas of current importance in wood protection.

The Section Leaders (Chair, Vice-chair) are responsible for co-ordinating the activities within their Sections and for encouraging the initiation of new work. The Scientific Programme Committee (SPC) has the responsibility for co-ordinating the activities between the Sections.

Within each Section any Member may make proposals for projects and for Working Parties so long as they have a clearly defined scope and a clearly expressed target date. Working Parties are usually formed around a specific topic such as Physiology of decay. Activities can include research symposia, discussion groups or collaborative research projects. WPs are intended to be easily created or dissolved and serve as a vehicle for bringing IRG members together.

Section 1. Biology

This section is concerned with the research on timber substrates and all aspects of agents of decay that affect performance of wood. It also covers ecology, physiology, biocontrol and mechanisms of decay in relation to the gross and fine structure of wood species.

Relevant subject matter includes:

Fungi including decay fungi, sapstain and moulds, bluestain-in-service.
Bacterial degradation.
Termites and other wood-destroying insects.
Marine crustacean, teredinid and pholad borers.

Section 2. Test Methodology and Assessment

This section is concerned with the study of test methods and analytical methods relating to physical, chemical and biological means of protecting wood from biodeterioration and weathering. It also covers harmonisation of international standards.

Relevant subject matter includes:

New or improved methods to evaluate the efficacy of wood protection methods against fungi, bacteria, insects, marine organisms and weathering (ultraviolet light and moisture).
New or improved methods for evaluating the permanence of wood-protecting chemicals.
New or improved methods for detection of decay and insects in wood.
New or improved analytical methods to determine the amount, distribution and form of wood-protecting chemicals in wood.
Comparison among test methods.
International collaborative research on test methodology.
Experimental design and technique, interpretation of data and performance criteria for standards.
Prediction of long-term performance from short-term field or laboratory data.
International standards for wood durability and protection.

Section 3. Wood Protecting Chemicals

This section is concerned with research to improve the understanding of the interactions of chemical wood protection systems, both existing and under development, with wood or wood-based materials with particular emphasis on performance evaluation against fungi, bacteria and insects.

Practical and fundamental areas of interest include:

New technologies including new active ingredients or formulations, non biocide systems and multi-component systems.
Biological performance evaluations. Laboratory tests and exterior field trials.
The interaction and distribution of wood protecting chemicals in wood.
Permanence and associated long term performance of wood protecting chemicals.

Section 4. Processes and Properties

This section deals with research into processes for the preservative treatment and/or the modification of wood and wood composites and their resultant properties, remedial and repair treatments, and techniques for applying chemicals to the surface of wood.

Specific topics include:

Physics of wood treatment and treatment mechanics including process control techniques.
Influence of treating processes of preservative distribution and performance.
Pre-treatment and post-treatment processes effecting the preservative treatment of wood.
Processes for modifying wood including its chemical, physical, mechanical properties.
Processes to improve properties including resin treatments water repellents, coatings, etc.
Effect of treatments on properties of solid wood and composites.
Remedial treatments and repair systems.

Section 5. Sustainability and Environment

This section is concerned with research into any environmental interactions which may result from the use of chemicals to protect wood.

Specific topics include:

Migration of wood protecting chemicals from treated wood during service.
Disposal of treated wood.
Environmental fate of wood protecting chemicals.
Ecotoxicology of wood protecting chemicals.
Design and operation of wood treating facilities.
Information on the health and safety to producers and users of treated wood.