Timber is a key raw material for John Lewis Partnership, used for our own-brand furniture and other household products across both John Lewis and Waitrose.
Risks and opportunities
Responsible timber sourcing is the practice of planting, managing and harvesting trees in a way that meets human needs for wood and paper without harming the long-term health of the forest or communities that live in them. Although intensive production of plantation timber is required to meet demand, there are risks around: deforestation or conversion of the world’s remaining primary natural forests or other ecosystems; unregulated or illegal harvesting of high value trees without replanting; habitat & biodiversity degradation; loss of access for indigenous and local communities; reduced carbon capture.
The Partnership recognises our role in supporting sustainable forestry practices and curbing the worldwide trade in illegal timber. We work with Track Record Global (TRG) to perform independent risk assessments of all timber supply chains used in our products.
In wider support of our target, John Lewis also has a 3 year (2026-2029) partnership with WWF; working together in Vietnam's Central Annamites landscape to restore forests and strengthen responsible timber sourcing. By combining forest restoration, sustainable management and innovative finance solutions. The partnership will help protect nature, improve climate resilience, support local communities and demonstrate meaningful corporate action towards deforestation and conversion free timber sourcing.
John Lewis Partnership is committed to;
- all timber for own-brand products to be deforestation and conversion free.
We define deforestation and conversion free as:
- End-products with a full chain of custody are FSC (100%, Mix, Recycled) or PEFC (Certified, Recycled) certified
- Recycled sources (certified or verified uncertified) including pre- or post-consumer
- FSC or PEFC certified forests or Controlled Wood/Sources
- Non-controversial countries of origin
Our expectations of suppliers;
We expect all our suppliers to comply with our Responsible Sourcing of Timber Policy and, where applicable, the UK Timber Regulation (UKTR).
Reporting
Our Performance Data Report has details of our latest timber performance data.