COVID-19, Update for Forestry Certificate Holders
Soil Association Certification is working with FSC® and PEFC in implementing measures in response to the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19 pandemic
Last updated October 28, 2022
FSC have extended the Covid derogations due to the ongoing situation. All Covid derogations and interpretations are now valid through 30 April 2023. Please do contact us to discuss your particular situation - our team are here to help.
Information And Guidance
Audits
If an on-site audit isn't possible, please find a brief summary of your options below. If your audit is due in the next two months, please get in touch with your usual contact person at Soil Association Certification, or the agent we work with in your country, to discuss how to proceed.
Remote or hybrid audit to substitute* an on-site audit
We'll undertake a risk assessment against the criteria developed by both FSC and PEFC to determine whether an audit can be conducted remotely if it's not possible to conduct on-site due to coronavirus restrictions. If a remote or hybrid (partly on-site, and partly remote) audit is possible, we'll contact you to make the necessary arrangements.
*depending on results of the audit, there may be a need to follow up with an on-site visit later in the year; otherwise, your next on-site audit will be next year, as per the regular annual schedule.
Main Assessments
We continue to welcome new applicants. For FSC Forest Management applicants, where possible, we'll conduct the assessment either remotely or as a hybrid audit. For Chain of Custody, this will depend on your business, so please do contact us to discuss.
Re-assessments
Under PEFC rules, we're currently unable to carry out a full re-assessment audit remotely.
Under the FSC rules, we're only able to carry out a full re-assessment audit remotely or in a hybrid manner under particular conditions. If this is really not possible, we may be able to extend the validity of your certificate by arranging a remote surveillance.
Chain of Custody Group/Multi-site certificate holders – Internal audits
Where on-site internal audits would normally be carried out, both FSC and PEFC are allowing remote internal audits to take place under certain conditions. For FSC, a completed risk assessment must be approved by Soil Association Certification before the group/multisite manager carries out remote audits of new participating sites. Please refer to the technical update for more information.
Forest Management Multi-Site/Group certificate holders – Internal audits
Where on-site internal audits would normally be carried out, both FSC and PEFC are allowing flexibility, for remote audits. Please refer to the technical update for more information.
Auditor training courses
Our training courses are all currently being held remotely - please see the Forestry Training section of the website for details and dates.
Keeping you up to date
All staff, auditors and agents will follow the official advice in their country regarding hygiene measures. We all need to work together to maintain health and safety.
Communication with your Certification Officer or Manager should remain the same and we'll continue to deliver a high level of service to you during this challenging time. To enable this, we have equipped all of our staff to be able to work from home.
We remain fully committed to supporting your business and ensuring the continuation of your certification throughout these challenging times.
We'll continue to update this web page with any new information or guidance as it becomes available.