What is the difference between FSC® and PEFC certification
We have recently received quite a few enquiries from clients asking what is the difference between FSC® and PEFC certification?
Ultimately they have the same aim and that is to ensure that forest based products are responsibly sourced.
However they cover separate areas of forest throughout the world and they cannot be mixed at any point.
How do I know whether I need FSC® and PEFC certification?
Your first port of call would be your suppliers and the clients you are selling to.
Firstly, some customers have a special requirement. This may mean that they are only willing to accept forest based products from one of these schemes.
Secondly, FSC® and PEFC certification are both also referred to as a Chain of Custody. This means that every link in the chain from forest to end user must be certified in order for the claim to continue.
If there is a break within the chain or your suppliers are not certified, then you in turn would not be able to apply for certification.
This is primarily down to tractability, which ensures that the products are from responsible sources.
What is the process of obtaining certification?
Firstly do you have a Chain of Custody Management System in place for an audit to be conducted against? If not you will either need to put this information together, or you will need to bring a consultant in to do so for you.
Unfortunately as an Accredited Certification Body we are not able to assist you with this as it is a conflict of interests. We would be marking our own homework which is simply not allowed.
Once you have this in place you can then contact a Certification Body such as Interface who will come and conduct an audit against the system.
This week
This week we have been appointed to provide FSC® and PEFC certification to a company who are based in Liverpool.
Further information
You can also find further information about this on our website.
Recent Posts
Interface NRM celebrates becoming the UK’s largest provider of FSC® certificates
Interface NRM, based in Telford, Shropshire are incredibly proud to announce another major milestone in our journey to setting a diamond standard in certification services: we’ve become the largest provider of FSC certificates in the [...]
Interface Insights: how ISO 9001 certification empowers small businesses to boost local economies and communities
The Power of ISO 9001 for Small Businesses ISO 9001 is an internationally recognised standard for quality management systems. It’s a valuable tool for small businesses aiming to build a reputation for reliability and efficiency. [...]
Interface Insights: Driving innovation in sustainable forestry through FSC® certification
For businesses pursuing sustainable forestry management, the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is pivotal in driving innovation across the forestry sector. The Forest Stewardship Council® is an international nongovernmental organisation promoting environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, [...]