International Furniture Prices

16-31th May 2005

Furniture and Parts  

Malaysia 

 Brazil 

 In May, rules for the Sectorial Program for Domestic Wood Quality (PSQ-PIM) were approved. This programme was created under the framework of the Brazilian Program for Quality and Productivity in Habitat (PBQP-H), coordinated by the Federal Government under the Habitation Construction Quality Program in the State of São Paulo (Qualihab) and by the Habitation and Urban  Development Company in the  State of São Paulo.  

Work is being carried out with the Brazilian Association for Mechanically Processed Timber (ABIMCI). In 1999, ABIMCI developed the National Program for Mechanically Processed Timber (PNQM), and has the support of a group of Brazil's major door manufacturers.  

With PSQ-PIM, market products will be inspected according to Brazilian norms. Brazilian norms are issued by the Brazilian Association for Technical Norms (ABNT), in which ABIMCI chairs the Technical Committee for Wood Products (ABNT/CB-31).  

Furthermore, PSQ-PIM intends to raise the awareness of door manufacturers and consumers of the importance of improving quality and updating standards. The Brazilian timber sector is also concerned with harmonision of standards with European norms, since many companies export products to the European market.  

The preliminary test results on wooden doors will be made public in June, 2005. The tests are the responsibility of the Technological Research Institute of the State of São Paulo (IPT). The manufacturers that participated in the PSQ-PIM represent over 55% of Brazil's wooden door producers.  

A PSQ-PIM certification will be granted by ABIMCI, the programme executor. During the first year of the project, manufacturers can achieve level C certification, which attests that they meet standards in force.  

In 2006, with the approval of new standards by ABNT, the objective will be to grant level B certification to manufacturers who meet such new standards. In the third year of the implantation, only manufacturers who meet new standards and are certified by PNQM will be granted level A certification. 

Abbreviations

LM        Loyale Merchant, a grade of log parcel	Cu.m         Cubic Metre
QS         Qualite Superieure	Koku         0.278 Cu.m or 120BF
CI          Choix Industriel	FFR            French Franc
CE         Choix Economique	SQ              Sawmill Quality
CS         Choix Supplimentaire	SSQ            Select Sawmill Quality
FOB      Free-on-Board	FAS            Sawnwood Grade First and
KD        Kiln Dry	Second
AD        Air Dry	WBP           Water and Boil Proof
Boule    A Log Sawn Through and Through	MR              Moisture Resistant
the boards from one log are bundled	pc         per piece
together	ea                each
BB/CC  Grade B faced and Grade C backed	MBF           1000 Board Feet
Plywood	MDF           Medium Density Fibreboard
BF         Board Foot	F.CFA         CFA Franc
Sq.Ft     Square Foot	Price has moved up or down