Why We Need LVL Country-of-Origin Labelling

Call for Country-of-Origin Labelling

In an industry where quality and compliance is so important, there’s increasing pressure to mandate country-of-origin labelling for imported Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). This simple yet significant measure helps protect builders, suppliers and clients by improving transparency and enabling informed decision-making. As an Australian manufacturer, Wesbeam supports this initiative and continues to meet strict Australian standards for sustainability and compliance.

Unethical Practices

The lack of clear labelling on some sources of imported LVL opens the door to a range of unethical and risky practices. These include illegal logging, species substitution, misrepresentation of structural performance, and the use of conflict timber. The consequences? LVL products entering the Australian market that fail to meet Australian Standards (AS/NZS 4357), leading to safety risks, site delays and costly rectification work.

Why It Matters for Builders

Without country-of-origin labelling, it’s nearly impossible to verify whether an LVL product was produced under conditions that meet Australia’s environmental, structural and ethical requirements. Some imported LVL has been shown to delaminate, split, or fail prematurely when used in structural applications. For builders, this raises serious concerns about compliance with the National Construction Code (NCC) and long-term liability.

Driving Industry Accountability

The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has taken a strong stance on this issue, advocating for mandatory country-of-origin labelling as part of a broader effort to ensure timber legality and traceability. These efforts align with recent changes to Australian laws requiring importers and processors to demonstrate due diligence in verifying timber sources. This means more scrutiny and greater responsibility across the supply chain.

Supporting Responsible Forestry and Local Industry

By choosing LVL manufactured in Australia, builders and specifiers aren’t just purchasing a compliant product, they’re supporting local jobs, sustainable forestry, and a transparent supply chain. Wesbeam continues to advocate for stronger regulatory controls to protect both the integrity of the timber industry and the safety of Australian construction.

As the only Australian manufacturer of LVL, Wesbeam sets the benchmark for quality. Every piece of Wesbeam LVL is manufactured in Australia from sustainably managed plantations and undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it complies with Australian manufacturing and safety standards.

Want to buy quality LVL products? Find Wesbeam LVL products online and in-store at your local Bowens store.

To learn more, Peter Board, General Manager – Sales & Marketing at Wesbeam, gives insight into what makes an LVL compliant in the blog, “Non-Compliant LVLs Enter the Australian Market.”

For more information on non-conforming LVL, read our blog “Non-Conforming LVL: The Implications for Builders.”