FSC has issued an interpretation for the Chain of Custody Certification of Multiple Sites standard (FSC-STD-40-003 V2-1).
The interpretation clarifies that internal audits of participating sites may be performed remotely in the case that the COVID-19 coronavirus presents a health risk or prevents traveling to the site due to travel restrictions.
It also clarifies that initial audits of new applicants cannot be replaced by remote audits, as well as an option for postponing the internal audit, and the responsibility of documenting when this interpretation is applied.
The interpretation is valid until December 31, 2020, or until withdrawn.