ISO Certification News

Overviewing PEFC Multiple Site Certification

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) provides a structure for certifying forest management practices. When a company obtains certification for sites, through the PEFCs program​​​. it can simplify the certification process by eliminating redundant tasks and expenses across its various forest management units or sites.

The latest edition of the PEFC Chain of Custody Standard is PEFC ST 2002;2020 which outlines guidelines for monitoring certified materials along the supply chain to guarantee that goods originating from certified origins can be linked back, to managed forests. 

Principles of  PEFC Multiple Site Certification

• Centralized Management System: A Centralized Management System is required for certification at all sites to oversee the implementation and maintenance of PEFC standards effectively ensuring compliance and consistency, in documentation and processes.

• Internal Audits: The companies also practice internal audits from time to time to check whether the various locations adhere to PEFC standards. Such audits are crucial while trying to maintain the authenticity of the certification as well as identifying areas of improvement.

• Sampling technique: PEFC allows an approach of samples in a given year whereby some of the sites will be audited while others will not be audited. This approach ensures effectiveness in supervision while at the same time slicing costs and paperwork.

• Corrective Measures: The appropriate action necessary has to be taken as soon as the organization identifies a non-conformity. To ensure that these actions are followed, they need to be conducted and controlled through the central management system.

How to Get PEFC Chain of Study Certifiied? 

• • Top Management Commitment: To do that, one must have the support of top management. They are required to establish a central management system, facilitate the certification process, and make available the needful.

• Gap Analysis: A best practice audit should be performed in the current practices which should then be assessed against the recommended PEFC regulations in terms of gap. This assists in the identification of what alteration, if any, needs to be made or even the kind of improvement that the particular element needs.

• Creating a Centralized Management System: Set up a system that will assume the responsibility of controlling the application and compliance with PEFC standards in each location. Such processes as documentation should be included in this system as well as policies and processes of the organization.

• Education and Awareness: Make sure that education of its employees at various levels is done on aspects of the PEFC regulations and the measures to be taken to observe compliance. Awareness programs can assist in the process of change in implementing sustainable practices into the organizational culture of the company.

• Internal Audits: Implement an effective internal auditing regime to assess compliance periodically at all the sites. As a technique that identifies typical areas, the sampling technique will be helpful in identifying standard settings and locating non-compliance.

• Corrective Measures and Ongoing Improvement: Correct the non-conformance and repair at the earliest time possible when it is identified. Make audit findings used to continue some processes and commence practice.

• Certification Audit: Organize an external audit by an accredited auditor of the PEFC. There will be assessments on the centralized management system as well as site audits, by the certification organization, using sampling and compliance with PEFC standards.

• Sustaining Certification: Policies and procedures should be adhered to after certification by conducting control management reviews, and internal audits as well as make necessary changes.

Conclusion 

The PEFC Multiple site certification allows companies to meet the growing market demand for certified products or products from sustainably managed forests while also helping to preserve the forests of the world. With the certificate, companies are able to show their concern for the preservation of the environment, have an edge over the other competitors, and be active agents in the management and preservation of forests internationally