From 16 June 2014, BV is not permitted to sign new certification contracts, perform initial certification audits, or issue new FSC FM certificates in North and South America, until ASI has lifted the suspension.
BV has issued 37 valid FSC FM or FM/COC certificates in four countries in the Americas, with the vast majority located in the USA and Brazil. The suspension will not affect these current certificates provided that BV addresses the non-conformities within six months.
This suspension is a clear indication of the high standards FSC expects its accredited certification bodies to meet and the meaningful steps that will be taken when these standards are not upheld.
For questions, please contact ASI at info@accreditation-services.com.