“We demand a strong response to the relevant bodies that could lead to concrete actions that bring Italy to provide in payment terms harmonized or mandatory within the European Community itself under the new European directive 2011/7/Ue“.
This is the position taken by Paolo Fantoni, president of Assopannelli, the Association of FederlegnoArredo gathering manufacturers of wood semi-finished products and panels, which during Sicam (the International Exhibition of components and accessories for furniture industry in Pordenone, just ended), has put on the table proposals which may create better conditions for firms operating in the field of construction supplies and more, without forgetting the importance of greater awareness about the companies and institutions on the need of a judicious use of woody biomass.
In Europe there is already the Directive 2000/35/Ec, implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree 231/2002, which applies to commercial transactions between companies or between companies and public administrations. This Directive does not provide, however, payment terms harmonized or mandatory within the European Community itself, but has introduced the right of creditors to increase interests in the event of late payment, without any reminder.
A new European directive (2011/7/Ue) issued February 16, 2011 has strengthened the protection of companies against late payment in commercial transactions. Among the changes, the obligation of governments and enterprises within the Eu to make payments within a maximum standard of 60 days. Unfortunately, however, in commercial transactions between private companies, the new directive reproduces the provisions of Directive 2000/35/Ec without providing for an harmonized payment and leaving to the States the opportunity to define its terms.
The hope for Assopannelli is that, in analogy to what is defined by French law, it could be applied the reduction of the rate for permanent equipment of furnishing homes.
But during Sicam, Assopannelli, with the support of the European Panel Federation has also presented “Action Day 2011: Europe’s commitment to greater mobilization of wood” in order to raise awareness among companies and institutions on the need to a reasonable use of woody biomass.
