What is FSC®?
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting responsible management of the world’s forests. Since its foundation in 1994, FSC has grown to become the world’s most respected and widespread forest certification system. FSC's pioneering certification system, which now covers more than 200 million hectares of forest, enables businesses and consumers to choose wood, paper, and other forest products made with materials that support responsible forestry.
Objective of FSC®:
The FSC's stated mission is to "promote environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests". To this end, the body has published a global strategy with five goals: Advancing globally responsible forest management.
FSC® Certification process:
Application and Contract
You can apply online for the FSC® Certification or complete the Application form and return it to GCL International Ltd. head office or one of our local office. We will use the application details to produce a quotation. Once the quotation has been accepted, we will ask you to return a signed copy of the quotation and our Scheme Rules.
Preparation for the Initial FSC® Certification Audit
- The following documents are supplied prior to the initial certification:
- Copies of latest FSC standards
- Client Self-Assessment checklist for the standard. We will ask back the filled Self-Assessment checklist
- Audit Plan
- The applicant must submit the participating sites list and sub-contractor list before the audit if applicable
- Trademark License agreement to be signed online
Initial certification audit:
- Opening meeting
- On-site Audit
- Preparation of Audit Report (including Findings)
- Closing meeting
Usage of FSC® label
The certified organizations can use both On-Product and Promotional FSC usage which are generated from the FSC logo generator. All the certified organizations need to submit their artwork (Promotional and On-Product) to GCL for each usage of FSC logo or FSC trademark for approval. Before each FSC logo or FSC trademark usage, approval for the usage is mandatory.
Surveillance or Re-certification audits
GCL International will communicate with the client to plan for the surveillance audits or Re-certification audits. For any changes in scope of the FSC certificate, the applicant organization has to inform GCL. Changes may be change in product, change in address, addition of sub-contractors, addition of sites etc. GCL will conduct a scope enhancement audit for the scope changes and a report will be prepared for the same. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), a Scope Certificate is issued with changes in scope. In a certification cycle 4 surveillance audits will be conducted in during a certification cycle. A detailed audit report will be prepared by GCL. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), continuation of the FSC certificate will be recommended. Re-Certification audit will be conducted just before the expiry of the existing certificate. A detailed audit report will be prepared by GCL. Subject to the closure of any non-conformances or findings (if any), A new scope certificate with validity of 5 years will be issued.
Companies in ginning, spinning, weaving and knitting, dyeing and printing, and cut and sew are eligible for certification.
Certification Features
- Recycled Polymer Materials - Contains a minimum of 20% recycled content
- Ethical - Avoids questionable or unethical sources
- Labor Protections - Ensures that workers are treated fairly according to internationally recognized (ILO) labor standards
- Supply Chain Management - Introduces supply chain risk management tools to improve sourcing strategies and prevent destructive environmental practices
- Environmental Impact Assessment - examines the environmental impacts associated with product manufacturing
- Chain of Custody – Transaction certificates follow the material through the supply chain
Certification with GCL benefits you, your customers, and other stakeholders, by demonstrating:
- Alignment of definitions across multiple applications.
- Tracking and tracing Recycled input materials.
- Providing customers (both brands and consumers) with a tool to make informed decisions.
- Reducing harmful impact of production to people and the environment.
- Providing assurance that materials in the final product are actually Recycled and processed more sustainably.
- Driving innovation in addressing quality issues in the use of Recycled materials.
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