CTB NC (Nouvelle-Calédonie)

The certification of products CTB NC Nouvelle Calédonie pine products is declined in several applications: sawn timber and logs, wood treatment.

The two declinations are subject to specific technical requirements written in two separate parts of the certification standards.

The technical specifications of this certification take into account the approval of the Caledonian Pinus (pinus caribaea and pinus elliotti) issued by the Government of New Caledonia (order n°2019-797/GNC of April 2, 2019) on the basis of a characterization study validating the capacity of this material to meet the requirements of mechanical resistance and durability in accordance with those of the normative reference frames in force.

A dynamic and committed local industry

While the wood market in New Caledonia is still mainly supplied by imported products, the local industry is developing thanks to the exploitation of New Caledonian pine. This fast-growing species, perfectly adapted to New Caledonian climate and soil, has the technical characteristics required for a diversified use, especially in construction.
Moreover, Caledonian pine has a good aptitude to receive preservation treatments “in the heart”, thus allowing a better durability of the products.
Thanks to the approval of Caledonian pine to the Construction Standard (RCNC), Caledonian sawmills, grouped within the Groupement des Forestiers Calédoniens (GFC), have committed themselves to a virtuous approach in order to provide guarantees on the quality of their processed products.

What is CTB NC certification?

CTB NC is a certification awarded to products processed from New Caledonian pine, which guarantees their technical qualities as well as the performance of the companies to permanently maintain the required quality level. More precisely, it concerns: sawn timber for different uses (in construction or not) and
and logs. It guarantees the conformity of the dimensions, the drying, the classification of the wood as well as the performance of the preservation treatment.
The CTB NC certification is issued by the FCBA Technological Institute. Independent technological institute recognized for its technical skills in the fields of forestry and wood, it is also the main European certification body of the sector. It is also a notified body by the French public authorities to deliver certificates and test reports that are essential for companies to sell construction products with the CE marking on the European market.

Adapting to local constraints

The certification reference system, drafted by FCBA experts in close collaboration with New Caledonian professionals, has been designed to
to meet the specificities of New Caledonia in terms of normative requirements.
The requirements concerning the preservation treatments have been set with regard to
climatic constraints and pressure of biological agents.
This certification standard is declined in several applications:
– Sawn timber for structural use in construction;
– Non-structural lumber and logs;
– The control of the treatment of wood to preserve it from insects and other
biological agents.
It has been the subject of a formal consultation with all interested parties
interested parties gathered in a committee of the CTB NC brand. The certification
CTB NC certification may be developed for processed products, species and services according to needs.

Obtain the CTB NC certification

The application for certification of a sawmill is processed by the certification body after the company has set up a control plan for its production. The instruction process includes a technical audit in situ and, for the processing part, samples for laboratory tests.
CTB NC certified companies are audited in situ twice a year with the obligation to carry out continuous controls with permanent records verified at each visit. The audits are carried out by an independent auditor controlled and qualified by FCBA who verifies the conformity of all the technical prescriptions of the standard:

  • Dimensional compliance of wood sections and lengths;
  • Mechanical classification and aspect of sawn timber and logs;
  • Respect of the quality of drying;
  • Products, preparation of solutions and control of the wood treatment process;
  • Good conditioning of the products: respect of the rules of stacking and marking of the products;
  • Maintenance of the qualification of the personnel.