FSC / SFI / RACG Certification
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests.
FSC was established in 1993 as a response to concerns over global deforestation, FSC is a pioneer forum where the global consensus on responsible forest management convenes and through democratic process effects solutions to the pressures facing the world’s forests and forest-dependent communities.
FSC certification provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers and businesses to make purchasing decisions that benefit people and the environment as well as providing ongoing business value.
For more information: http://www.fsc.org/about-fsc.html
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is a fully independent, charitable organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. SFI works with conservation groups, local communities, resource professionals, landowners, and countless other organizations and individuals who share our passion for responsible forest management.
The SFI forest certification standard is based on principles that promote sustainable forest management, including measures to protect water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, species at risk, and Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value.
The standard is used widely across North America, and has strong acceptance in the global marketplace so we can deliver a steady supply of wood and paper products from legal and responsible sources. This is especially important at a time when there is growing demand for green building and responsible paper purchasing, and less than 10 percent of the world’s forests are certified.
For more information: http://www.sfiprogram.org/
To initiate the Chain of Custody certification process, contact Jim Cunningham at GMA. GMA is an active participant in the RACG program, but have additional options if necessary.
Certification
Regional Affiliate Certificate Group (RACG) This Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Group Certification is an excellent opportunity to lower your yearly annual audit costs. Or, if you're new to the FSC world, it’s going to give you the advantage of FSC Certification at a fraction of the cost of individual certification. Group certification under the FSC logo is available to qualified, eligible companies who are members in good standing with their sponsoring regional association.
Program Options are based on company sales, specifically wood product sales.
Companies with sales under $5 million per year may apply for Group Certification. Annual sales need to be less than $5 million in Forest Product Business (generally commercial printing, package printing, etc.). Total sales can exceed $5 million if there are divisions separately conducting mailing, website development/hosting, fulfillment, etc. Sales volumes will be subject to audit by program auditors. Group FSC certification fees are $1,695 per year inclusive of travel for auditors and group managers.
For companies with $5 - $100 million per year in sales, the cost ranges from $4,175 to $5,055 for Single Certification.
Participating companies will be required to submit 50% with their application to RACG with the remaining 50% due before their certificate is issued.
There is no difference between individual certificates and the group certificate as regards the use of the logo, the requirements for organization, and the use of certified papers on projects utilizing the FSC logo.
Because of the aggregating, the costs for certification will be substantially reduced. The group guidelines allow a subset of all companies to be fully audited (by random) and all participating firms will receive an “internal”, or overview audit on an annual basis. All firms will be visited!
The group, RACG, has engaged a Group Manager to provide training, oversight, and operations assistance to all participating members and a certified auditing firm will conduct the full audits. Using his experience and knowledge, our group manager will be able to reduce the time and effort currently required of individual certificate holders and applicants. He will assist participating companies in reducing the administrative burden of initial and ongoing FSC certification. Graphic Media Alliance staff will be a resource and advocate for this program as well. Feel free to contact us throughout your involvement for assistance.
Interested member companies need to complete and submit the Group Participation Form and fee. This form should be submitted to Graphic Media Alliance, who is acting as the group coordinator and will transmit your information to the group manager.
Participating companies will be individually responsible for compliance with conditions relative to utilization of the FSC logo and audit requirements. Any liability for failure to do so will rest solely with the individual non-compliant company and not with the RAGC, its collective participants, or sponsoring organizations.
Participating companies recognize that ongoing participation in RACG is contingent upon maintaining membership in good standing in Graphic Media Alliance and complying with all FSC guidelines for Chain of Custody Certification.
For more information on this discounted certification, call your BDD, or read more about RACG: www.racgus.org
