Request to extend the implementation of the QCO By Federation of Indian Plywood & Panel Industry

FIPPI-BIS-2023-24, November 14, 2023

Shri Arunkumar S

Head (Civil Engineering), BIS, New Delhi

Subject: FIPPI comments on Draft Quality Control Orders in respect of Resin treated compressed wood laminates, Plywood and Wooden flush door shutters and Wood Based Boards
Sir,

We refer to your letter No.P-14031/155/2022-CI,E-173688 dated 19/12/2022 on the above subject please find below the comments from President on behalf of Federation of Indian Plywood & Panel Industry for your consideration.

Most of the BIS standards related to plywood and Wood Based Panel Products are in the process of revision and amendments. Revision work has not yet been completed. The related revision work has been taken-up by BIS Sectional Committee, CED 20 Wood and Other Lignocellulosic Products: in association with technical committee members under the Chairmanship of Director, IWST, and Bangalore

Reasons for amendment in wood products specification

Most of BIS standards related to plywood and wood based panel products were formulated long back when commercial plywood were begun to be manufactured after independence. The standards set in the specifications were based on the test results on plywood which were made from old grown, mature timber procured from natural forest. Selected timbers were suitable for manufacture of plywood and other panel products in those days.

Things are totally different today. For the last two decades, there is very little or no supply of timber from forest and the plywood industry is totally depended on short rotation plantation timbers. Plantation timber of 5 -10 years old which are immature having lower strength compared to 30-50 years old mature timber. Hence many physical-mechanical properties plywood made with plantation timbers cannot meet all mechanical properties set in BIS product standards.

Today plywood industry has obtained best technology, best adhesives for manufacture of plywood but for wood the industry has to depend on short rotation plantation timbers only as old grown forest timbers are not available at present.

The need of the hour is to bring necessary amendment in major BIS specifications related to plywood, particle board and MDF. The aim of amendment is to incorporate the physical-mechanical properties test parameters which can be obtained by using best quality plantation timber.

The need of amendments in the BIS specifications on plywood, MDF & particle board were raised in the last 25th meeting of CED-20 held on 20th July, 2020. Chairman of CED-20 had given patience hearing to the above mentioned points raised by industry representatives during the meeting and it was suggested that industry to submit draft amendments in products specifications for considerations by the BIS technical committee.

It is therefore requested that issue of Quality Control Orders in respect of Resin treated compressed wood laminates, Plywood and Wooden flush door shutters and Wood Based Boards be kept pending till the revisions in respect of different wood products specifications are completed by BIS.

Just to summarise we request you to please extend the implementation of the Quality Control Order till the Revised standards are published by Bureau of Indian Standards related to Plywood & Panel Products.

For FEDERATION OF INDIAN PLYWOOD & PANEL INDUSTRY