First certification bodies benefit from PEFC’s Training Recognition Program

5 June 2014 News

The first group of certification bodies moved closer to achieving formal recognition of their own, internal Chain of Custody training programs, based on successful completion of a two day training program held at the PEFC International office, as part of our extensive support to certification bodies and to ensure robust implementation of PEFC certification requirements.

This training is part of PEFC’s new “Training Recognition Program” (TRP), which enables certification bodies to carry out internal trainings in compliance with PEFC‘s requirements, by giving formal recognition to their internal PEFC Chain of Custody training programs. Chain of Custody auditors are required to participate in training - either organized or recognized by PEFC - every two years to ensure and further improve the quality of on-the-ground audits for Chain of Custody certification.

“Our new Training Recognition Program is important to further improve the quality of audits and to equip certification bodies with the tools to build capacity internally to ensure consistent application of PEFC requirements,” said Michael Berger, Head of PEFC Technical Unit. “As well as seeing the benefit in being able to streamline the auditing process and getting their training programs formally recognized by PEFC, the representatives really appreciated the opportunity to exchange experiences with other experts from a range of certification bodies.”

The PEFC recognition of certification body internal trainings is valid for two years, with PEFC offering regular updates on new developments and changes to PEFC requirements and training materials to equip representatives with the latest information on PEFC certification.

PEFC International will also be offering at least two online training sessions for individual Chain of Custody auditors who are unable to participate in an in-person training session or through the TRP. More information regarding the dates of these training sessions will be provided in due course.