The earth is round and therefore limited in space. A consequence is that we - earthlings - are convicted to mutual understanding with a basic need to pay attention to others. Leading countries have been developing standards for years (i.e. USA/CANADA - AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND - SOUTH AFRICA - EUROPE). They are keen and proud to argue on their peculiarities and advantages. A survey of the various schemes, procedures and criteria suggests a good consensus on the basics, with a need to classify specificities and allow local application. Europeans are stretching out their hands towards their colleagues to harmonize hazard classification; climatic conditions and levels of performance is also proposed to harmonize prescription worldwide.
Keywords: TREATED WOOD; PRESERVATIVES; HAZARDS; STANDARDS; AWPA; CEN; ISO