Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the most frequent non-conformities identified in different European countries in the processes of forest management certification according to FSC standards. A total of 31 active certificates from five countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Romania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom) were analysed, including all active certificates (as of 1st of June 2014) from three countries along with a sample of 13 FSC certificates issued in the UK and one certificate covering 95% of the certified forest area in Slovenia. 253 non-conformities in relation to FSC standard requirements were identified as formulated by the audit teams and the most frequently identified non-conformities in the certification process were those related to Principle 6 - Environmental impact (34%), Principle 4 - Community relations and worker’s rights (17%) and Principle 8 - Monitoring and Assessment (13%). A slight positive correlation was noticed between the FSC certified area and the total number of non-conformities, with a closer link in the case of Principle 9 - Maintenance of high conservation value forests, and Principle 4. The non-conformities related to Principles 4, 6 and 9 appeared to be significantly influenced in occurrence by country development; less often in the UK compared with the other four countries.
Highlights
Forest certification is a voluntary, non-regulatory process allowing, due to its consultative and participatory nature for the implication of all stakeholders (Abrudan, 2001)
A total of 31 active certificates from five countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Romania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom) were analysed, including all active certificates from three countries along with a sample of 13 FSC certificates issued in the UK and one certificate covering 95% of the certified forest area in Slovenia. 253 non-conformities in relation to FSC standard requirements were identified as formulated by the audit teams and the most frequently identified non-conformities in the certification process were those related to Principle 6 - Environmental impact (34%), Principle 4 - Community relations and worker’s rights (17%) and Principle 8 - Monitoring and Assessment (13%)
The decision of certification is not taken by the audit team, but by the certification body, taking into consideration the comments made by the independent observers. This requirement has been established in order to reduce the degree to that auditors influence the final decision. It is the aim of this paper to describe the most frequent non-conformities identified in different European countries in the processes of forest management certification according to FSC standards
Summary
Forest certification is a voluntary, non-regulatory process allowing, due to its consultative and participatory nature for the implication of all stakeholders (Abrudan, 2001). The non-conformities represent irregularities in relation to the requirements of FSC standards for forest management (10 principles and 56 criteria) and being described in the audit report are turned into “objectives” for change or adaptation in forest management (Meijaard et al, 2011). This requirement has been established in order to reduce the degree to that auditors influence the final decision It is the aim of this paper to describe the most frequent non-conformities identified in different European countries in the processes of forest management certification according to FSC standards. The non-conformities identified by the audit team were quantified by FSC Principles and Criteria, country, certified area, certificate type, and management type and development level of the country.
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