South African Standards SANS 1288, SANS 457-2/3 and SANS 753/4 specify the marking requirements for any preservative treated product that claims to comply with the respective Standards. The following information must be contained in the marking:

• A unique treatment plant identifier or trademark. This is usually a name or acronym that identifies the treatment plant where the timber was treated. A register of treatment plant trademarks is maintained by the third-party product certification body with whom the treatment plant is certified, e.g. SABS.
• Product certification mark. This is the quality mark of the third-party product certification body (e.g. SATAS) that certifies the processing plant.
• SANS standard number. This number is usually found below the quality mark and indicates the SANS standard the treated timber complies with, e.g. 1288, 457, 753, or 754. In the case of SANS 457 hardwood poles (part 3) the additional letter refers to the type and grading, i.e. S for Structural/Agricultural, F for Fencing and P for Guardrail Posts.
• A hazard class. There are six hazard classes, each of which identify the level of treatment applied.
• Year of manufacture for SANS 457, and month & year for SANS 753/4 poles.

For poles and round wood, the information is commonly applied on 25mm metal tags or anti-split end plates, and for sawn and machined timber or boards, ink stamps are used.

Number of pieces marked (at the time of leaving the treatment plant)

Round wood

• Poles, half rounds: each pole shall be marked, preferably on the top end.
• Laths and droppers: One in a bundle, but in the case of loose laths and droppers at least 10%.

Sawn/profiled

• Stress graded (excluding brandering and battens): Every piece exposed on the top and sides of the pack shall be marked on the face or edge. In the case of a consignment of loose pieces, each piece shall be marked.
• Other (including brandering and battens): In the case of a pack consisting of loose pieces, or smaller packages of units or bundles of pieces, at least every piece exposed on the top and sides of the pack shall be marked. In addition, at least one piece in every package or bundle situated within a large pack shall be marked.

If treated timber is not marked as above, it is not produced according to the requirements of the relevant South African National Standard and therefore does not comply with the compulsory specification, VC 9092.

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