This report gives some information on the production, import and use of timber in the Netherlands and, in more detail, about the country's wood preservation industry. As the country's production of wood that is useful for its manufacturing industries is very limited, the position of wood in the building industry is not too important. Architects think first in terms of bricks, concrete, glass and lastly of wood, and then often in the sense of aesthetics and interior decoration. This is one reason why the Dutch wood preservation industry has great difficulties in enlarging its market. Up to date its limited scope does not favour aggressive marketing. Information is given on the country's treating plants and the amount of wood preservatives used. In the Netherlands a wood preservative is a pesticide according to the Dutch Pesticide Law and has to be approved and registered in accordance with this. This enables the authorities to pay attention to such divergent aspects as efficacy and human health and environmental effects. Details are given on how a preservative approval may be applied for. Two appendices have been added listing the wood preservative products and products for remedially treating wood that have been officially registered, together with a list of permit holders of these approved products.

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