The future of creosote fencing in the UK
Coal-tar creosote has been used as a wood preservative since 1838 but was banned for sale to the general public in the United Kingdom in 2003. This ban was enacted due to concerns over the potential health and environmental risks associated with the use. However, approvals made under the EU Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) were allowed to continue for professional and industrial use. These approvals included use for railway sleepers, highways fencing, overhead electricity and telecommunication poles, as well as stakes, poles and fencing for agricultural use.
However, we’ve been aware, for a few years, that creosote production would come to an end and that time is fast approaching. The ban will apply to the sale and supply of creosote for agricultural use, including the treatment of fencing, gates, and other wooden structures. The ban will not cover use in certain industrial applications, such as railway sleepers and telegraph poles, where there are no suitable alternatives.
When will the ban happen?
As yet, no dates have been given to when creosote production will be implemented, however, a meeting, will be held in July. At that meeting, a time frame will be set for when the ban will be enforced. It is widely believed that the ban will be operational by the Autumn of 2023. This ban will only apply to the production and importing of creosoted products. Once the goods have either been manufactured or imported, into the UK, a grace period will be granted for the products to be sold and used.
We anticipate that demand for Octoposts over the coming months will increase significantly, and we are doing all we can to get as much stock into the UK before the ban is implemented. However, if you have some fencing work that will needs doing in the coming months, we recommend you place and order, sooner rather than later, to avoid any disappointment.
What will happen after the creosote ban?
Octowood, will use the Tanasote® treatment, which should give a similar service life to that of creosote, which is thereabouts of 40 years.
Production of the Octoposts using the Tanasote® treatment will commence in October 2023 but no date has been set, as priority has been given to manufacturing creosote posts for as long as possible.
For more information on Tanasote®, please use the link here
Please feel free to get in touch should you wish to discuss any of the information provided.
