American law cuts counterfeit floors
An act which was introduced in 2008 is starting to make the American flooring industry a better place for suppliers and customers.
The Lacey Act was brought in to ban illegally logged wood from being used for solid wood flooring and other products.
CEO of Anderson Hardwood Floors, Don Finkell, said: “The Lacey law is slow moving, but I think it’s getting rid of a lot of illegal logging.”
The general feeling in the industry is that, although impact is gradual, the act is making a difference across the market.
The Lacey Act is also having a positive environmental impact as fewer trees are illegally harvested, however it is agreed that there is still a long way to go.
Don Finkell said: “I still think there is a lot of work that needs to be done to clean it up. Behind the scenes everybody is scrambling around trying to get on the right side of this.”
The main problem is that the full supply chain is difficult to keep track of so reputable suppliers can sometimes end up with solid wood floors from illegally harvested wood.
The important point in the opinion of the American flooring industry is that change is starting to take place and it is having a positive impact on the environment.
