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Search for information on accreditation and certification

Information on certification is discrete. There is no comprehensive source of information in this field. This page serves as a portal of links to sources of information.

General information on conformity assessment including certification

ISO, International Organization for Standardization (www.iso.org)
Conformity assessment
Certification
ITC, International Trade Centre (www.intracen.org)
Criteria for selection of certification bodies
Quality management systems
IEC, International Electrotechnical Commission (www.iec.ch)
Conformity assessment

Accreditation bodies

The lists of accreditation bodies can be found on the Web sites of the following international/regional organizations:

IAF, International Accreditation Forum (www.iaf.nu)
Members:
Accreditation bodies by country
Accreditation bodies by name
EA, European Cooperation for Accreditation (www.european-accreditation.org)
Members
PAC, Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (www.apec-pac.org)
Members

Peer assessment schemes

These are arrangements under which certification bodies are assessed by their partners belonging to the schemes. Examples of the schemes are given below:

How to find a certification body?

As a rule, Web sites of the accreditation bodies contain lists of certification bodies which are accredited by the respective accreditation organizations. Links to a few examples of certification body lists/databases provided by accreditation bodies is given below:

There are also international and regional certification associations which provide lists of their certification bodies. For example:

Peer assessment schemes Web sites also provide lists of certification bodies which are their members. For example:

Most certification bodies operate in one country. However, there are a number of certification bodies which have offices in many countries. A few examples of multinational certification bodies are given below with the links to their Web sites:

How to find a certified company?

Unfortunately, a single database which contains names of all certified companies does not exist. However, several large databases containing information on certified companies can be found on the Web. For example:

Some certification bodies provide information on companies certified by them. For example:

Source IFAN

BM TRADA Forest Products Chain of Custody

BM TRADA has developed its own chain of custody scheme that recognises that there are other certification schemes and forest management initiatives operating in various parts of the world where currently there is no route to market for products because of the absence of independent verification of chain of custody.
As part of the development process some of these initiatives may have undergone verification by independent forestry consultants to determine if they would comply, for example, with the UK Government’s Timber Procurement Policy for timber products that are “legal and progressing towards sustainability”. BM TRADA has developed a scheme that seeks to support such initiatives and as such is prepared to give these schemes unaccredited certification under our Forest Products scheme.
Currently there are five schemes included in the Forest Products scheme:

The Malaysian Timber Certification Council (MTTC) scheme
The Congolese Industry du Bois (CIB) scheme
The Samartex Timber and Plywood scheme
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) scheme (ratified by PEFC)
The American Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) scheme (ratified by PEFC)

For an overview of the Certification process and requirements please see the attached.
For further information please call our head office on 01494 569700 or email enquiries@bmtrada.com. Whatever business you are in, we will be happy to advise you on the most cost-effective route to registration.
For details of the costs of certification please complete and return our Request for Quotation Form and Appendix

FSC Chain of Custody

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organisation that brings people together to find solutions which promote responsible stewardship of the world’s forests.

FSC is a stakeholder owned system for promoting responsible management of the world’s forests.
Through consultative processes, it sets international standards for responsible forest management.
It accredits independent third party organisations who can certify forest managers and forest product producers to FSC standards.
Its trademark provides international recognition to organisations who support the growth of responsible forest management.
Its product label allows consumers worldwide to recognise products that support the growth of responsible forest management worldwide.
FSC undertakes marketing programs and information services that contribute to the mission of promoting responsible forestry worldwide.
Over the past 12 years, over 84 million hectares in more than 82 countries have been certified according to FSC standards while several thousand products are produced using FSC certified wood and carrying the FSC trademark. FSC operates through its network of National Initiatives in 40 countries.

For further information please see our Chain of Custody Information Sheet or call our head office on 01494 569700 or email enquiries@bmtrada.com. Whatever business you are in, we will be happy to advise you on the most cost-effective route to registration.
For details of the costs of certification please complete and return our Request for Quotation Form and Appendix A
If you are outsourcing any activities / processes please can you complete the Request for Quote Form Appendix A in addition to the Request for Quote form
If you are transferring your Chain of Custody Certification to BM TRADA from another Certification Body please can you complete Request for Quote Form Appendix B in addition to the Request for Quote form
If you are purchasing reclaimed materials (wood or fibre) please can you complete the Request for Quote form Appendix C in addition to the Request for Quote form.
FSC Project Chain of Custody
A recent initiative from FSC is Project Chain of Custody, through which individual projects, whether a new build development or major refurbishment/redevelopment can obtain chain of custody certification during the build process and up to handover.
The FSC Project Chain of Custody standard recognises that not all contractors on-site would have their own chain of custody certification and allows them to be covered as project members. Contractors/sub-contractors working on the construction project are therefore not required to have their own chain of custody registration but must source timber/timber products from a supplier with valid chain of custody certification.
This will make the specifier’s life much easier, as until the launch of the new standard, there was no way of guaranteeing that only certified products would be used on site. Close checks are maintained to ensure that the FSC claim can be met:

A Project Manager with responsibility and authority to implement and maintain the chain of custody is appointed to oversee the process.
Meticulous records are maintained to document the purchase, delivery, receipt, invoicing and volumes of all wood products received on site.
All personnel involved in the project with a defined responsibility within the chain of custody system are fully trained in chain of custody procedures. Detailed records on training are maintained.

On completion of the project build or refurbishment certification is awarded to the project, allowing the main contractor to hand over a FSC Certified building.
For an overview of the Certification process and requirements please see the attached.

For further information please call our head office on 01494 569700 or email enquiries@bmtrada.com. Whatever business you are in, we will be happy to advise you on the most cost-effective route to registration.
For details of the costs of certification please complete and return our Request for Quotation Form
BM TRADA Complaints Procedure
Request for Quotation Form
FSC Certificate Database