- FSC-STD-20-001 General requirements for FSC accredited certification bodies
- FSC-PRO-20-003 Transfer of FSC Certificates and License Agreements
- FSC-PRO-20-004 General Requirements for FSC Training Programme
FSC-STD-20-001: ensure that FSC accredited certification programs are managed in a competent, consistent, impartial, transparent, rigorous, reliable and credible manner. The standard was developed to ensure the conformity with ISEAL requirements and compatibility with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065:2013-01
FSC-PRO-20-003: applying a consistent set of process requirements to facilitate the voluntary transfer of certificate holders from one certification body to another
FSC-PRO-20-004: ensure consistent initial and ongoing qualification of auditors through implementation of the FSC Training Programme
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Continued relevance and validity of the standard and related procedures to maintain a functioning certification system
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Integrity of the system is enhanced and maintained
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Streamlined documents to ensure that the final standard and related procedures are well aligned within the normative framework, not contradicting or duplicating the other accreditation standards such as FSC-STD-20-007 Forest Management Evaluations and FSC-STD-20-011 Chain of Custody Evaluations
Sahana CA, Lead Assessor at ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB)
Liviu Amariei, Director at Assurance and Sustainability Training Academy
Ellen Keyti Cavalheri, Coordinator at IMAFLORA
Emily Blackwell, Head of Technical at Soil Association
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Consultation open
Timeline
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).
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.
Draft 01 of the FSC-STD-20-001 is prepared and Desk Test is conducted with 3 certification bodies
Consultation webinar on FSC accreditation standards revision
- Wednesday, 16 October 9:00 – 10:30 am CET with Spanish and French interpretation. Register here.
- Wednesday, 16 October 16:00 – 17:30 am CET with Spanish and French interpretation. Register here.
Consultation webinar on FSC accreditation standards revision for technical users
To complement the focused consultation, FSC conducted three webinars for stakeholders to provide feedback and learn more about proposed key changes.
Public consultation of Review Report recommending a joint revision
