Corporate Governance

Wood Work Science is built on precision, integrity, and respect for the craft. We study wood, its behavior, and the science that makes great work possible. Governance isn’t a checkbox for us—it’s the grain running through everything we do. Our framework safeguards ethics, research integrity, regulatory compliance, and long-term value for our readers, partners, contributors, and the broader woodworking community.

Our leadership team includes practitioners with hands-on lab experience, materials scientists, and editors who have tested tools, finishes, and species in real conditions. That mix matters. It lets us make principled decisions, document them, and stand behind them—openly and confidently.

Code of Business Conduct

Our Code applies to every person representing Wood Work Science—employees, editors, contributors, researchers, contractors, advisors, and board members. Each is trained annually. Each signs on, in writing. No shortcuts.

Anti-Bribery & Corruption

Zero tolerance. No excuses. No gray areas. No one at Wood Work Science may offer, give, solicit, or receive anything of value to improperly influence a business, editorial, or research decision. We conduct due diligence on third parties, record all sponsorships accurately, and prohibit facilitation payments. Gifts and hospitality are tightly limited, pre-approved, and disclosed. Interactions with public officials follow strict rules and the law—every time.

Fair Competition

We compete vigorously—and fairly. We do not collude. No price‑fixing, no market allocation, no bid‑rigging, no group boycotts. Our reviews and recommendations are independent and evidence‑based. Vendor relationships, affiliate links, or sponsorships never determine outcomes; any potential conflicts are disclosed clearly and managed through internal firewalls.

Confidentiality

We protect confidential information from clients, partners, and sources with rigor. Research data under embargo stays sealed until agreed release. Personal information is collected minimally and used only for its stated purpose. Access is role‑based, encryption is standard, and retention is limited to what the law and good governance require.

Research Integrity & Editorial Independence

Our testing protocols, material analyses, and field evaluations follow documented methods reviewed at least annually. Editors operate independently from commercial teams. When we test adhesives, finishes, or species performance, results are reported as found—replicable, cited, and audit‑ready. If we discover an error, we correct it quickly and transparently.

Risk Management & Compliance

  • Data Governance: We treat data privacy as both a legal requirement and an ethical obligation. Our Data Protection Officer (DPO) conducts quarterly audits for GDPR, CCPA, and applicable local regulations, with corrective actions tracked to closure.
  • Whistleblower Protection: We maintain an anonymous reporting channel at [email protected] and a secure contact form at https://woodworkscience.com/contact-us/. Reports are investigated promptly, confidentially, and without retaliation.
  • Information Security: We apply least‑privilege access, encryption in transit and at rest, and multi‑factor authentication. We review vendors for security posture and execute DPAs where required.
  • Incident Response: We maintain an incident playbook with defined SLAs for triage, containment, notification, and post‑mortem review.
  • Training & Attestations: Annual training on anti‑bribery, privacy, and editorial integrity is mandatory; policy attestations are recorded and audited.
  • Conflict of Interest: All staff and contributors disclose relevant financial interests or relationships. Where a conflict exists, we recuse, disclose, or both.

Supply Chain Ethics

We require our vendors, labs, and content partners to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which mandates:

  1. Fair labor practices and zero tolerance for forced, child, or trafficked labor.
  2. Safe, healthy working conditions with proper PPE and training.
  3. Environmental stewardship, waste reduction, and responsible chemical handling.
  4. Legal sourcing of wood and wood products, including compliance with the Lacey Act, EU Timber Regulation, and applicable local forestry laws.
  5. Accurate, transparent documentation, including origin, species identification, and chain‑of‑custody where applicable (e.g., FSC/PEFC).

Oversight, Accountability & Continuous Improvement

Our Governance & Ethics Committee reviews policies annually, monitors compliance metrics quarterly, and reports material issues to leadership. We conduct periodic external reviews of key controls and invite feedback from our community—professionals, hobbyists, and educators alike—to keep our standards sharp and our methods honest.

Questions or concerns? Reach us at https://woodworkscience.com/contact-us/. We’ll listen. We’ll act. And we’ll keep earning your trust—one well‑documented decision at a time.