Certification process

Once you have completed all the preparatory work and set up your chain of custody system, you are ready to apply for PEFC certification.

Audit

PERAC assesses your chain of custody system against the Chain of Custody standard and ensures that you meet all requirements. Our auditors will visit you on-site to assess your compliance.

During the audit, compliance with all requirements is reviewed. Any non-compliance is reported, and the necessary steps are taken to resolve the discrepancies.

Certificate

If PERAC determines that your chain of custody system complies with the certification requirements, it will issue you a PEFC certificate. The certificate is valid for a maximum of five years. During this period, PERAC will conduct annual surveillance audits to verify your operation’s compliance with the chain of custody requirements.

When your certificate expires, you will be required to undergo a recertification audit to renew it.

IMPARTIALITY, CONFIDENTIALITY, INDEPENDENCE, AND RESPONSIBILITY COMMITMENT

PERAC carries out its training and auditing activities in a manner that is free from any commercial, financial, political, psychological, administrative, or other influences that could compromise its independence, impartiality, and objectivity.

PERAC has identified all factors that may threaten the impartiality of its personnel, committees, and senior management involved in these activities, conducted conflict of interest analyses, and taken all necessary measures. These conflict of interest analyses are reviewed periodically.

Certification services provided by PERAC are accessible to all organizations that request them. Equal and impartial service is provided to all applicant and certified organizations under all circumstances. No unnecessary financial burdens or other conditions are imposed on any party. All mandatory rules and documents apply equally to all organizations. No hidden discrimination, such as accelerating or delaying services, is practiced.

PERAC does not recommend or market its audit activities to client organizations in a manner that would create a conflict of interest, threaten its impartiality, or violate the accreditation rules to which it is bound.

PERAC and its personnel do not provide management system consultancy services. PERAC does not and will not perform quality management system certification for any certification body.

PERAC does not promote or offer its activities in connection with any organization that provides management system consultancy. Personnel of PERAC, including those in management, who have provided training or internal audit services to an organization within the last two years shall not take part in the audit or certification process of that organization.

PERAC does not carry out certification if an unacceptable threat to impartiality exists. It does not certify a management system for which it has conducted an internal audit within two years following that audit.

PERAC top management does not exert any positive or negative influence on certification decision-making processes. Certification decisions are made by individuals who have not been involved in the audit.

All certification personnel, auditors, committees, and experts within PERAC perform their duties objectively, without compromising the principles of impartiality and confidentiality. They formally declare this through the agreements they sign.

PERAC maintains the confidentiality of all information and documents related to certified organizations, except for those made publicly available. Such information may only be shared with the accreditation body upon request. If disclosure to a third party is required for legal reasons, the relevant organization is duly informed.

We hereby declare and commit that our management system, financial management, policies, and working principles will be implemented without compromise.

PERAC Top Management