Using the Scottish Working Woods Label

The Scottish Working Woods label helps businesses, makers, and consumers understand which products are genuinely Scottish, responsibly sourced, and sustainably produced. This page explains how the label can be applied to products, who can use it, and how it supports both businesses and woodland communities.

Using the label for your products

The label can be applied to any product that meets SWW’s criteria, including:

  • Timber and sawn wood

  • Furniture and joinery

  • Crafts and decorative items

  • Food and drink made from wild-harvested woodland ingredients

  • Plant extracts, seeds, and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs)

Products carrying the label must contain at least 90% Scottish raw materials, and the materials should be sourced as locally as possible. If the majority of a business’ product lines comply with the label criteria, the label can be used widely across their marketing materials and letteread. If less than 50% of a company’s products comply with SWW criteria, then the label can still be used, but only on a per-product basis.

Why businesses use the label

Using the SWW label provides a clear signal to customers, clients, and specifiers that your products:

  • Come from Scottish working woodlands

  • Are produced by small and medium-scale Scottish businesses

  • Meet standards for environmental, social, and economic sustainability

  • Are part of a transparent, peer-led licensing system

The label has helped businesses win public procurement contracts, reassure customers about the origin of their materials, and showcase commitment to local sourcing and sustainable practice.

Label in practice

The label is flexible and designed to work for small businesses and workshops:

  • Businesses can sell both labelled and non-labelled goods.

  • The label can be applied to individual products or to the majority of your product line.

  • It is especially useful for public procurement tenders that ask for sustainable, legal timber sources, and for customers who care about provenance.

By using the label, businesses not only demonstrate the quality and authenticity of their products but also support local economies, woodland management, and traditional skills.

How to get licensed

Only businesses that are members of one of SWW’s representative organisations can become licensees. The process is simple:

  1. Ensure your business is a member of a recognised organisation:

    • Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers (ASHS)

    • Scottish Furniture Makers Association (SFMA)

    • Scottish Basketmakers Circle (SBC)

  2. Complete the SWW licence application form.

  3. Once approved, you will receive printed labels and digital assets to use on products, websites, leaflets, or letterhead.

  4. Use of the label is governed by a formal licence agreement. Licences can be revoked if the label is misused, maintaining the integrity of the scheme.