All timber procured through the ODA’s supply chain contracts will be supplied by the Timber Supplier Panel under a groundbreaking scheme which is an important part of making London 2012 a truly sustainable Games.

David Higgins, ODA Chief Executive said: 'This is the first time that such a panel has been established on a project of this scale, and we hope that it will be a catalyst for change and leave a lasting legacy for the industry.

'We want London 2012 to be a truly sustainable Games and this new supplier panel shows that this ambition runs through the heart of the construction project.'

The ODA has also published a progress report on its sustainability targets and achievements to date, detailing the progress being made in the sustainable design and construction of the London 2012 venues and infrastructure.

The online document sets out how the ODA is aiming to raise the bar for sustainable development standards by bringing together all elements of sustainability. The document can be read online – http://www.london2012.com/documents/oda-publications/sustainability-update-interactive.pdf

Dan Epstein, ODA Head of Sustainability, said: 'Sustainability underpinned London’s bid for the 2012 Games, and is now at the heart of the ODA’s work to design and build the venues and infrastructure for both Games and the legacy communities.

'This progress report is a essentially a snapshot of key achievements and demonstrates that we are setting new standards in sustainable development.'

The Timber Supply Panel will supply up to an estimated 600,000 square metres of hardwood, softwood, plywood and other products and 40,000 metres cubed of softwood timber to the ODA's contractors and their suppliers.

The timber suppliers will also have to ensure that they have comprehensive certification and sufficient auditing in place to ensure standards are met throughout their supply chains.

Notes to Editors:

1. The following 16 suppliers were appointed by the ODA to the Timber Supplier Panel:
2. Watch a short video about the progress being made in the sustainable design and construction of the 2012 venues and infrastructure: http://www.london2012.com/plans/olympic-park/videos/sustainability.php

3. Any contract placed with a timber supplier by a member of the Contracting Authority’s supply chain for the supply of timber in connection with an Olympic project shall be issued as contemplated by and consistent with the terms of the agreement between the Contracting Authority and the Timber Supplier Panel.

4. The Suppliers on the Timber Supplier Panel were appointed based on documentation of their Chain of Custody, Obligations, using sustainable means of transport, and a mitigation strategy.

5. Central Point of Expertise on Timber Procurement - http://www.proforest.net/cpet

- Ends -

For further information please contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 700.

The construction of the venues and infrastructure of the London 2012 Games is funded by the National Lottery through the Olympic Lottery Distributor, The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Mayor of London and the London Development Agency.

Find out the latest from London 2012 HQ on our blog.

• Arbour Forest Products Limited
• Arnold Laver & Company Limited
• Brooks Bros. (UK) Limited
• Christina Meyer Sustainable Wood Products and International Forest Products (UK)
• Finnforest UK Limited
• Hoppings Softwood Products Plc
• James Latham Plc
• Jewson Ltd
• John Brash & Company Limited
• Kronospan Limited
• MLM Distribution Limited
• Premier Forest Products Limited
• Ridgeons Limited
• Timbmet Limited
• Vincent Timber Limited
• Wolseley UK Limited