Curtain Raiser

NCCF and PEFC International organize online PEFC Chain of Custody Auditors’ Training in India on 18th – 19th August 2021

Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests (NCCF) is organizing an online two days PEFC Chain of Custody Auditors’ Training jointly with PEFC International on 18th – 19th August 2021.

NCCF, a not-for-profit organization of India, is actively engaged in diverse conservation activities including, the development of globally benchmarked and India-specific sustainability certification standards for various constituents of our natural resource base, as its core working area. NCCF is a member of PEFC Governing Council for India, a member of IUCN, and has got Observer Status of UNCCD.

PEFC is the largest international, non-profit, non-governmental organization, promoting sustainable forest management through independent third-party certification and accounts for over 330 million hectares of forest area certified under the PEFC system. It is considered the certification system of choice for small forest owners.

Mr. Richard Laity, Projects and Development Officer at the PEFC, South East Asia is the master trainer of the session. His team also includes Ms. Linda Matole, Technical Officer, PEFC, and Ms. Nga Ha, PEFC SEA Coordinator. Shri A.K.Srivastava, Director General, NCCF,  Dr. Mrutunjay Jena, Director, NABCB, Mr. Anil Jauhri, Chairperson, Certification Advisory Group, NCCF and Mr. A.K.Bansal, Chairperson, PCA, and NWFR Group of NCCF are also sharing their views on PEFC CoC Certification in the inaugural and closing sessions.

Chain of Custody certification is tracking wood flow from forest to consumers and assures the use of certified wood from well-managed forests and plantations. PEFC CoC certification is designed for all businesses involved in the supply chain of forest-based products and opens up new opportunities in markets requiring certified products.

The training is being attended by some 30 auditors and observers representing CBs (Bureau Veritas, TUV SUD, GICIA India Pvt Ltd, International Certification Joint Stock Company, CU Inspections & Certifications, Volition Business Solutions LLP, Soil Association, Preferred By Nature, PT Intishar Sadira Eshan, etc.), accreditation boards (National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies – India, Bureau of Accreditation- Vietnam), PEFC and NCCF from the countries- India, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sweden, Czech Republic, Cambodia, Singapore, and Romania.

Trainees will be required to complete an online knowledge test after completion of the training.  Successful participation in this training will make the auditors eligible to conduct PEFC CoC certification audits, as attending a PEFC-recognized training is also a precondition to becoming a qualified auditor. For already trained auditors, this training would serve as an opportunity to update themselves on the underlying expectations, clarifications, and interpretations related to the PEFC Chain of Custody Standard.

From NCCF Mr. Varun Grover and Dr. Indu Dwivedi are coordinating with the PEFC team for the successful conduct of the training.