Our motto: Ensuring a sustainable future

About this service

What is certification? Certification is the process of certifying that NRM based products or processes comply with specific sustainability standards. These standards are set by national or international organizations, on the basis of agreements among stakeholders. Certification is carried out by organizations (Certification Bodies (CB's)) that are authorized (accredited) by a standard setting organization. Once successfully certified, producers are allowed to carry the label from the standard setting organization on their products. Examples are the ISO, FSC,CDM, VCS, CCBS and CE labels. But there are more.

For who?

Who benefits from certification? National and international social and environmental regulations become increasingly important for natural resource managers around the world. And international consumers increasingly demand products that comply with social and environmental standards. Certification is the only way to keep up with this trend. It provides long-term job guarantees and delivers social, environmental and economic benefits all at once. From consumers to companies and land owners, certification benefits all stakeholders involved. We can prepare companies, public landowners, small and big forest owners, contractors, importers and exporters for certification. See our clients and trackrecord page for more information.

Our approach

FSG's unique certification-market approach
FSG has a long track-record in preparing stakeholders for successful certification. We help companies and producers improve their businesses and practices until they are awarded the certificate by the Certification Body. Besides, we help you with the crucial follow-up: marketing of your certified products. FSG is unique in this combined certification-market service. For more information, please read our Export-promotion & Marketing service. But we do much more....read below!

Our services: The major certification systems:

Our services mainly relate to three certification systems: FSC, CE and ISO 14001. Under each system we offer a number of separate services. But, when combined, they form the full trajectory toward certification; up to issuance of the desired certificate. Besides the major ones we offer advise and services with regards to CDM , VCS, CCBS, Gold Standard, REDD & REDD+, VLO (Verified Legal Origin), NTA-8080 (The Dutch standard for Sustainability criteria for biomass for energy purposes) and the Renewable Energy Directive (EU).

FSC certification

FSC stands for "Forest Stewardship Council", an organization based in Germany. This organization developed a number of principles and criteria for sustainable management of forests and plantations. Our certification services target two different groups of stakeholders: forest owners (with Forest Mangament Units-FMU) and Chain of Custody stakeholders (COC). The latter includes any type of company or individual operating in the Chain of Custody. Our services:

Certification process training

Both COC and forest owners are informed about certification systems and procedures.

Organizing Stakeholder Meetings

We help organize meeting to consult and inform stakeholder groups about the certification procedures.

Pre-scoping

This service targets forest producers. Their current practices are assessed and obstacles as well as required changes are identified for compliance with the certification standards. A detailed corrective action plan is drafted, with time lines, responsibilities and measures.

Company audits

COC's are assessed for compliance with the certification standards. A detailed certification plan is drafted, with time lines, responsibilities and measures.

Group Certification training

Small forest owners (smallholders) and private companies can be certified as one group. Group Certification saves on time and allows for sharing of expenses among group members. We train these groups and their appointed managers for successful compliance. Other systems like SLIMF (Small and Low Intensity Managed Forests) can be implemented as well.

Sustainable Forest Management training

Forest owners and COC are trained in details and practice about sustainable forest management . This involves knowledge of e.g. laws and (inter)national regulations regarding endangered species (CITES; Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), biodiversity and harvesting.

Writing Forest Management Plans

We advise forest owners and planners in adapting their Forest Management Plans to the standards set by FSC.

Preparing for Pre-assessment

FSG helps forest owners and COC with implementation of required changes to guarantee a successful Pre-assessment by the Certification Body.

Corrective Actions implementation

We advise forest owners and COC in their implementation of required changes identified during Pre-assessment. This service spans over the time needed for successful official Main Assessment by the Certification Body.

Certification Body accreditation preparation

A full training is provided to organizations in developing countries that seek accreditation by the Forest Stewardship Council.

National Standardization Initiative assistance

FSG is experienced in helping national FSC initiatives. These are initiatives on national level where stakeholders jointly adapt international FSC principles and criteria for national and local practice.

Local standard development assistance

We help local organizations and supply chain stakeholders in developing standards for more sustainable practices.

Verification Audits

We check COC and forest management practices for compliance with FSC standards. But FSG is NOT a certification body itself. We will not certify ourselves, we only prepare you before this.

Independent Monitoring & Evaluation

As an independent company, we provide monitoring and evaluation services to ensure compliance with certification standards.

CE Certification

With regards to Conformite Europeene (European Conformity) certification we offer advises and support regarding the following:

Product overview and specification

Put up a total overview of the products to be marked, formulating a product specification per product and create a separate file per product.

Selection of needed tests

Produce an overview per product (group) of all needed tests (both of external laboratories and own tests).

Testing with notified body

Carry out tests per product against the system enforced of AC (Attestation of Conformity). This in cooperation with a Notified Body (often a certification body).

Obtain an ETA norm document

No further action required.

FPC

Introducing an FPC (Factory Production Control) system, together with the Notified Body

ISO 14001 Certification

Our ISO services will follow the normal ISO certification approach:

• Pre-assessment visit
• Document review
• On site assessment and report
• Corrective Actions implementation