|
What is an SFIŽ Program Audit?
To participate in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative program, a company must undergo a series of audits. The American Forest and Paper Association and the Sustainable Forestry Board (SFB) require a recertification audit three years after the first audit, and every five years after the second audit. Companies choosing to use the SFI label must undergo annual surveillance audits.
A recertification audit examines all 11 objectives and 124 indicators and includes the full team of auditors. A surveillance audit, which usually involves only the lead auditor, focuses on a few of the objectives and indicators and on any non conformances or opportunities for improvement found in the last audits.
Selecting the Auditor
Sixteen companies are authorized by the Sustainable Forestry Board to conduct SFI audits. A list of these companies is available on the SFB website at www.aboutsfb.org . The company to be audited issues a request for proposal to these companies and selects a company based upon pre-determined criteria including qualifications, approach, ability to communicate audit results, and cost.
What Does an Audit Team Do?
An audit team collects information on how the company meets each of the 11 objectives and 124 core indicators by examining the company's policies, plans and procedures, by interviewing staff and regulators, and through field visits. If an audit team finds that the company does not meet the standard, it issues a finding of Major or Minor Non Conformance. The company is required to develop a plan to meet the objective and the audit team withholds the certification statement until the objective is met.
| 
