FSC is revising the general accreditation standard FSC-STD-20-001 V4-0 General Requirements for FSC Accredited Certification Bodies. The standard ensures that FSC certifications are managed in a competent, consistent, impartial, transparent, rigorous, reliable and credible manner. The standard is being revised together with two related procedures FSC-PRO-20-003 Transfer of FSC Certificates and License Agreements and FSC-PRO-20-004 General Requirements for FSC Training Programme.
Please access the process page here to learn more about this joint revision. As part of the drafting phase, FSC is conducting a public consultation on the drafts for three documents (please note that FSC-PRO-20-003 is included as an Annex 6 to FSC-STD-20-001 V5-0 D2-0).
These changes will affect all FSC certificate holders and so please take the opportunity to consider these changes and their impacts and to feedback through the FSC consultation platform.
The infographic below highlights the range of areas and key FSC documents that are covered in the consultation. Included in the proposed changes are how non-conformances are dealt with during both main and surveillance visits, for example:
- A move to a 3/4 months close out periods for all non-conformances from the date of audit closing meeting
- The need to close all non-conformances from a main audit before a certificate can be issued.
These changes along with others will be explained at webinars mentioned below.
Key changes
The following is an overview of the key changes:
1. Changes triggered by EC regulation 765/2008:
- Obtaining and maintaining accreditation as per ASI Two-Tier Assurance Program.
- ISO 17065 as basis for accreditation.
Why it matters: FSC introduced the process for accreditation and the conformity with ISO 17065 as mandatory accreditation requirement.
2. Alignment with ISO 17065
Why it matters: FSC has aligned its certification body standard with ISO 17065 and this alignment led to the changes in closure of nonconformity timelines, timeline for making certification decision and granting and maintaining certification if the nonconformities are addressed.
3. Proposal to introduce risk-based approaches to auditing.
Why it matters: Risk-based approach to apply additional evaluation measures in case of high integrity risk is added.
4. Changes to the related procedures include provision for online trainings for auditor candidates and clarification to the transfer of certification from one certification body to other.
Why it matters: FSC introduced the provision of online trainings for auditor candidates for chain of custody and forest management trainings the in-person component is kept as mandatory. In terms of transfer of certification, process for voluntary and non-voluntary transfers is clarified.
Webinars
FSC will be conducting webinars to present the draft documents and to discuss the key changes. Please register below for the targeted webinars for our technical and expert users, such as our certification bodies.
Consultation webinar on FSC accreditation standards revision for technical users
- Thursday, 07 November 2024 at 8:00 – 09:30 GMT Register here.
- Thursday, 07 November 2024 at 15:00 – 16:30 GMT Register here.
Participate today
To access the consultation, please click here. The consultation is open until 21 November 2024. We are looking forward to your participation!