- Certification is one type of assurance system that aims to guarantee that certain standards have been met for how a product is produced or managed. Other assurance systems include voluntary standards, regulations, and corporate social responsibility programs. - There are different types of certification including certification of products/quality, management systems, origin/chain of custody, and processes and production methods. A system that certifies across all these areas provides the highest level of assurance. - Developing an effective certification system requires identifying objectives, consulting stakeholders, establishing standards and criteria, implementing a compliance system, and ensuring it is financially sustainable and accepted as legitimate.

1. Clarifying Certification Language, Components & Process Estelle Levin 7 th October 2008 8 th Annual CASM Conference

6. Level of Independence in Assurance Based on ISEAL (2007, Module 1: 24) A person or body that is independent of the person or organisation being evaluated, and of user interests in that person or organisation. Certification and accreditation bodies most often carry out third party audits. e.g. FLO-Cert Third Party A person or body that is related to, or has an interest in the person or organisation being evaluated, such as a client or purchaser of products from the organisation. e.g. Buyer, Trade Association Second Party The person or organisation that is undergoing evaluation. A first party audit includes internal audits or peer reviews. e.g. Company CSR Manager First party The assessment is conducted by: Level of independence

16. Thank you! Estelle Levin Resource Consulting Services, Limited [email_address] +44 1223 241042