How does FSC control its certification bodies?
FSC has an accreditation program to control the proper implementation of the FSC rules and procedures by the FSC accredited certification bodies. The company managing the FSC accreditation program is called Accreditation Services International (ASI). ASI conducts an office audit and the witnessing of one trial audit in the field. If the certification body is compliant to FSC standards, it will gain FSC accreditation. One such requirement is that all FSC accredited certification bodies have to be in compliance with relevant international ISO standard (ISO/IEC Guide 65: 1996 (E)). FSC is the only global forest management certification system with an integrated accreditation program that systematically controls its certification bodies. Every year ASI controls the continued implementation of FSC rules and procedures through at least one office and one field audit for each FSC accredited certification body. The exact number and distribution of ASI surveillance audits is calculated based on
