1. FSC:
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting global socially responsible forest management. It was founded in 1993 by international individuals who wanted to prevent forest destruction.
2. FSC certification process:
1. Apply for certification (preliminary negotiation).
According to FSC requirements, forest farms, wood processing (including other wood products, such as pulp, paper, paper, printing, packaging, stationery, gifts, furniture, home furnishings, etc.) or trading companies decide to apply FSC certified. Determine the expected value of success based on the basic materials of the applicant company and formulate an FSC certification plan.
2. Sign the contract.
Based on the judgment of first-hand information, our company signed a contract with the applicant (the recognized party).
3. Preparation for certification consulting training.
Enterprises carry out internal training, documentation, marking, rehearsals, etc. in accordance with the requirements of FSC principles. Or hire a third-party certification consulting company to provide professional guidance and help companies pass FSC certification in one go.
4. Review and evaluation.
Carry out assessment under the arrangement of FSC certification company. The main contents of the assessment are:
① Product identification;
② Product separation (certified and non-certified raw materials);
③ Establishment of files (including records );
④Training and staff information;
⑤Selection of the company’s applicable system;
⑥Confirmation of product group;
⑦Correct use of FSC logo and trademark.
5. Certification report.
Based on the assessment, the certifier forms a report. The report either considers the assessment to be satisfactory or points out deficiencies that require efforts to improve. The report will be sent directly to the Certification Decision Committee for final evaluation.
6. Certification and registration.
If all steps are positive, the company will be awarded a certificate of certification. If necessary, some conditions can be attached until these conditions are met within a specified time. The use of certificates in market activities and the role of registered FSC logo marks will be strictly controlled.
7. Evaluation management (annual review).
At certain intervals (usually once a year), certification personnel will conduct a short and on-site audit of the company in order to check the implementation of the conditions defined in the report. Records, control of entry and exit of materials and products, and use of the FSC mark are the main aspects of the audit.
FSC certification cycle
FSC certification cycle is generally related to the following factors:
①The size of the enterprise (enterprise size, plant area, number of employees, etc.) ;
②Whether there are multiple on-site certifications;
③Whether the company’s own management system is sound;
④The importance that company decision-makers attach to this FSC;
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⑤The efforts of the company’s FSC certification team members and relevant personnel in FSC certification work;
⑥The degree of cooperation between the certification company and the certification consulting company.
With good cooperation from the company itself, a single site can generally complete the documents and other work required for FSC certification documents in about 10 to 25 days. Once the FSC certification is formally reviewed, it will take approximately 5-20 days to obtain FSC recognition. The total time from signing the contract to getting the certificate is about 25-45 days.
The cost of FSC certification:
Depends on the factory’s products, scale and environment, generally around 50,000 yuan.
Note: FSC certification is valid for 5 years, and an annual review is required every year. The annual review fee is 13,000-15,000.