Introduction

There is an active international discussion regarding substitute materials for treated timber and alternative preservatives for timber, particularly in those jurisdictions where the use of CCA-treated timber has been significantly limited, such as the EU and US. International symposiums are regularly planned for industry, government and academic researchers. Indeed, in March 2005, the American Chemical Society is hosting the Health, Environment And Efficacy Issues In The Development Of Commercial Wood Protection Systems, and the International Research Group on Wood Preservation is planning their 6th symposium for February 2005, which will consider issues new wood preservatives and treatments and risk and waste management in wood preservation.