European oak flooring: how to be sure it’s the real thing?
How can a leading British oak flooring company be sure it’s getting the real thing – legally- acquired and responsibly-sourced – when it’s coming from the other side of the world? Product traceability and supply chain transparency is the answer. Five years ago, Brooks Bros (UK) Ltd wanted to provide assurance to its customers that […]
To catch a thief! Or how to prevent an upsurge in forest crime
By Ken Hickson for Focus on Forests “Wildlife and forestry crime is the world’s fourth largest illegal trade – a lucrative illegal business with far-reaching and devastating consequences not just for the environment but also for society, public health and global economics. Wildlife and forestry crime often occurs hand in hand with tax evasion, corruption, […]
The first use of Sourcemap to show the journey of timber from the forests of Austria and Slovenia to the Changi Chapel & museum in Singapore
For the first time in Southeast Asia, a sophisticated supply chain traceability process has been used by Double Helix Tracking Technologies to identify the source of timber – in this case from sustainably managed forests in Austria and Slovenia – to be used in a building in Singapore, the historic Changi Chapel and Museum. View […]
How green is my building?
There’s been an important focus on green buildings in the world this month (September 2020), so we must ask the question of whether buildings can truly be certified green and sustainable if most of the materials used are not. Look at all the concrete and cement that goes into your average office block or residential […]
Doublehelix now offers PEFC chain of custody
Increasing use of forest products makes certification all the more important. Environmentally conscious companies have a new, home-grown choice when it comes to certification of forest products. Singapore-based Double Helix Tracking Technologies (DoubleHelix) now offers PEFC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification to companies here, and also across the Asia-Pacific region. PEFC CoC certification shows that […]
Timber Traceability Platform Announced
A new technology partnership brings to light the journey of wood products from forest to consumer Singapore, 27 February 2020 A new partnership enables companies to understand the journey of wood products through the supply chain from forest to store shelf. Combining best-in-class traceability, verification, and visualization, the timber traceability platform being introduced by DoubleHelix […]
DoubleHelix statement regarding Okoume Veneers investigation
Following recent media coverage, DoubleHelix has been made aware of an upcoming report by the US office of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), and an associated investigation by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), into okoume veneers sourced from Gabon and the Republic of Congo by Cornerstone Forest Products and Evergreen […]
Genetic infrastructure in Africa for timber verification
DEVELOPING DNA FINGERPRINTING AND OTHER TOOLS FOR VERIFYING TIMBER SPECIES AND GEOGRAPHICAL ORIGIN CLAIMS IN TROPICAL AFRICA To demonstrate the applicability of DNA fingerprints and stable isotopes, ITTO partnered with Thünen Institute of Forest Genetics in Germany, along with 14 collaborative agencies in Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe to implement Project PD 620/11 Rev.1 (M): […]
Update on DoubleHelix and partner activities in Myanmar
This statement has been prepared following publication of the summary record of the EUTR-FLEGT Expert Group meeting of 20 September 2017, and subsequent briefing provided by DoubleHelix at the Timber Regulatory Enforcement Exchange meeting on 23 October 2017. It provides an update of recent activities and a short-term roadmap of activities intended to address concerns […]
Securing Myanmar teak supply chains with DNA
In a move to facilitate trade flows for teak exporters in Myanmar, the University of Adelaide and Double Helix Tracking Technologies (“DoubleHelix”) have launched the next phase of a project to develop genetic reference data for Burmese teak. When completed, this system will support the Myanmar timber trade to meet increasingly strict import regulations in […]
