This communication is for Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), providing certification for Chain of Custody audits under AS 4707:2014 Chain of Custody for Forest Products and Chain of Custody, the PEFC International Chain of Custody Standard PEFC ST 2002 and provides guidance on the conduct of Chain of Custody during the COVID-19 pandemic. This communication has been endorsed following communication with JAS-ANZ…
As a result of COVID-19, the Responsible Wood Board of Directors has endorsed the guidelines and instructions issued by PEFC International as mandatory with immediate effect.
COVID-19: Chain of Custody Guidance for certification bodies and certified companies
Please note, these guidelines will apply to both AS 4707:2014 Chain of Custody for Forest Products and the PEFC International Standard.
A separate guidance for AS 4708-2013 Sustainable Forest Management is under development and will be available shortly.
The guidance provides advice on the conduct of remote audits, whilst acknowledging that remote audits cannot replace on-site audits in all circumstances. Responsible Wood stresses the importance of remote audits as a means to ensure public health measures are maintained.
This guidance comes into force and can be applied by certification bodies from the day of its publication (23/03/2020) and is applicable until PEFC Council revokes the guidance.
