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Chapter 2 Policies shaping forest products markets
two systems are mutually compatible in the construction sector (Piasecki, 2014). In August 2014, the US Department of Agriculture announced the inclusion of more wood products in the BioPreferred programme, which previously had excluded products with mature markets. With this change in policy, diverse paper and wood products will be eligible to participate in the programme and to apply for BioPreferred labelling (USDA, 2014). A number of paper, tissue, packaging, lumber and other wood-product companies have either qualified for federal purchasing or are certified through the voluntary labelling initiative (USDA, 2015).
2.6
CONCLUSION
The use of wood and the management of the forest resource from which it is derived have influence across policies, markets and economies. The transition towards a green economy depends on the development of policies and market-based instruments that support further innovation and diversification in forest products markets. The EU Forest Strategy, international trade agreements and timber regulations can have significant influence, along with non-regulatory systems such as voluntary certification programmes, markets for ecosystem services, research findings, and green building innovations.