Exova BM TRADA hit with worldwide FSC accreditation suspension

3 May 2016


Accreditation Services International (ASI) has suspended certification body Exova (UK) Ltd, trading as Exova BM TRADA, from issuing FSC chain of custody (CoC) certificates worldwide.

Exova BM TRADA had previously been partially suspended for Germany, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus, and Russia – which has been lifted. But a new worldwide suspension has now superseded the earlier order.

This means Exova BM TRADA is not permitted to sign new certification contracts, perform initial certification audits, or issue new FSC CoC certificates worldwide.

ASI says the suspension is a result of occurrences of non-conformities with the ASI accreditation procedure.?? Exova BM TRADA, which has issued over 2,500 valid FSC CoC certificates, now faces a maximum suspension of up to six months.

FSC certificates already issued by Exova BM TRADA remain valid during the suspension.

Exova BM TRADA can continue to perform FSC surveillance audits and in line with ASI’s requirements have sought and been granted approval to conduct client re-certification audits.

If the accreditation is not reinstated within six months its clients will need to seek a new FSC accredited certification body in order for their FSC certificate to remain valid.?

“This suspension reinforces FSC expectations that our standards will be rigorously audited, and that our accreditation body, ASI, strictly oversees certification bodies,” FSC said.

Any UK Exova BM TRADA FSC certificate holder or their customers requiring more information can contact Rafal Andruszkiewicz, chain of custody manager, Exova BM TRADA at Rafal.Andruszkiewicz@Exova.com.