Postponing of Audits

FSC has amended derogation DER-STD-20-001_01 V1-1 to clarify that certification bodies (CBs) may postpone an audit by one month into the next calendar year, provided the audit still occurs within 15 months of the previous audit. This exception is only allowed when delays are due to circumstances beyond the control of both the certificate holder and the CB—such as illness or natural disasters. While this flexibility is granted, all other certification requirements, including completing four surveillance audits per cycle, remain in force. The CB must document each case in the certification report.