Wood preservation and European regulations

Wood, being a product of a living tree, is liable to deterioration due to abiotic and biotic factors. The rate of wood degradation is dependent on its natural durability which varies from species to species. Those of poor natural durablility have to be chemically protected to prolong their time of service. Intensity of protection depends on the environmental conditions in which the wood is used. Various European regulations are made concerning the ways of choosing the wood species, chemicals and intensity of protection, all depending on the place of use. In view of the intention of Croatian economy to participate on the European market, this article wants to review European regulations in the field of wood protection, and thus help Croatian regulations to be in keeping with the European ones. The first part of the article describes mechanisms of the most important wood deteriorating factors, while the second one presents European regulations in the field of wood protection.