The level of knowledge that the actors have about the timber and wood products they purchase remains for the most part at the first level of knowledge, that of geographic place names. This knowledge of geographical origin seems to vary among the actors involved. The established import agents and most forest corporations can provide information about the specific harvesting area and this information is available to their customers in Sweden. The large import agents responding to the inquiry have different internal systems, which can track and verify origin. The smaller companies appear to have less established systems for tracking and verifying timber purchases.
Some companies seem to have very limited or no knowledge about the origin of their imports.
They do however seem to represent a relatively small proportion of the overall trade. In the Swedish offices of the companies contacted there seemed to be very little knowledge, if any about the qualities of the forests from which the timber is coming and the ecological and social impact of the forest practices, both in the Baltics and Russia. Companies, attempting to gain knowledge about the origin and impact of their imports, are using a number of mechanisms. Many rely on the trustworthiness of the standard and enforcement of national forest management legislation and controls to ensure responsible trade. This may be a successful strategy if forestry legislation is appropriate and enforced.