Beside legal requirements, buyers and end-users of wood preservatives and/or of treated wood and wood-based materials may require additional warranties regarding the quality and the performance of the products available on the market. These greatly enhance the confidence of end-users and the chance for a product of being marketed with a quality label. Additionally, quality control systems and trained and motivated personnel can contribute to better control and/or reduce the risks for environment and human health which are associated with the use of biocides. The means used across Europe to ensure the safety and quality of treated wood and wood-based products include regulations (mainly the Biocidal Products Regulation and the Construction Products Regulation), but also quality labels and certification of products, processes, application equipment and people (such are professional users). Certification schemes exist in many EU member states. This paper is an attempt to give an overview of the main legal instruments and appropriate measures which exist in Europe to demonstrate efficacy, address risks and ensure a sustainable use of biocidal products and treated wood-based products. They include regulations, certifications of products, processes and people, and communities of industries involved in the field of wood protection.

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