The International Wood Products Association’s (IWPA) “Seeing the Forest and the Trees” training course is designed for CEOs, CFOs, buyers, compliance staff, customs specialists, sales staff, overseas producers and exporters to help them establish standard operating procedures to comply with the Lacey Act.

Developed in partnership with the World Resources Institute, the course will provide attendees with a comprehensive analysis of the requirements of the Lacey Act and other laws relevant to the trade in wood products, according to the association.

“IWPA developed the due diligence training and resources for wood trade professionals to empower the wood products industry and provide them with the tools they need to successfully fulfill their role in sourcing decisions,” said Cindy Squires, executive director of IWPA. “There is no one-size-fits-all approach to sourcing and compliance. These due diligence tools reflect the legal requirements and the industry’s need for flexibility to adjust their corporate standards and procedures based on the particular specifications of their product, the country of origin and the complexity of their supply chain.”

The courses will be taught at day-long sessions spread around the U.S. in an effort to arm those buying and selling wood products with the latest information about resources and procedures that will allow them to tailor a compliance system for their own market niche.

Courses will be held on the following dates and cities: May 19, High Point, N.C.; May 24, Pomona, Calif.; May 26, Portland, Ore.; June 21, Chicago; Aug. 23, Atlanta and Sept. 21, Alexandria, Va. Individuals attending the course will also receive IWPA’s Formaldehyde Fact Sheet for importers, prepared in cooperation with the California Air Resources Board.

“This program will help foster a culture of professionalism that will be an asset not only to individual companies, but to our industry as a whole," said Squires. "We will continue to urge Congress to focus the federal government’s limited enforcement resources at those who are not working in good faith to comply with the requirements of the Lacey Act and to recognize the abilities of small to medium-sized businesses in implementing with this far reaching law.”

For more information, visit iwpawood.org.