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FWPA involved in developing international codes and standards

Boris Iskra

Boris Iskra, National Codes & Standards Manager at FWPA, is regularly involved in international committee meetings attended by representatives from 33 countries, to discuss the latest in international standards development. Source: Timberbiz

Mr Iskra’s involvement provides access to the very latest insights from leading global experts, which can be used to enhance the Australian forest and wood products supply chain.

In his role with FWPA, he is responsible for coordinating the development and review of Australian timber standards, and associated building standards and codes.

He is also part of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) panel Technical Committee (TC) 165 Timber Structures, which allows him to regularly joins discussions with experts from around the world, to both gain and share knowledge.

The ISO/TC 165 panel considers standardisation concerning structural applications of timber, wood-based panels, other wood-based products, and related lignocellulosic fibrous materials. Its ambit includes:

  • requirements for design;
  • structural properties, performance, and design values of materials, products, components, and assemblies; and
  • test methods and requirements to establish related structural, mechanical and physical properties and performance.

“The benefits to the Australian forestry industry of our involvement is the potential to learn from leading global experts, and identify which of their insights have potential to be applied in an Australian context and enhance the way we do things here,” Mr Iskra said,

“It also provides opportunities for us to put our hands up to be involved with global research initiatives.”

So far, the work of the committee has resulted in 49 ISO Standards, with eight more currently under development.