FSC certification

[wordtothis]

Respect to SGP certification!
If some other organization that has nothing to do with our needs as an industry [FSC] can make rules for us to live by, then why shouldn't we be able to govern ourselves and make sure we do it in a responsible manner with issues that actually concern our industry?

[4STAR]

We just became FSC certified at the end of 2008 and it was not by choice. We do lots of Pharmaceutical work for Novartis and Bayer. If they say jump we jump. Its just another fad so some big wheels behind His/Hers desk can feel like they are saving the world. I think it will disappear within 2 years IMO.

[Craig]

I think it will disappear within 2 years IMO.

I agree, but in the mean time there will be some FSC/SFI/SGP... wallets getting fatter for no apparent reason.

[4STAR]

I agree, but in the mean time there will be some FSC/SFI/SGP... wallets getting fatter for no apparent reason.

I totally agree. We paid the reg. fee which was around 5K. Then we had to designate a large area for only FSC certified paper. We have done 1 job since Nov. FSC and that area sits empty with no paper and looks pretty with its FSC sign above on the wall. Its a joke.

[doubting_thomas]

We can't really afford the extra stocking space for FSC papers so in the event
we actually run a job requiring a claim (we have not run one yet), we'll either
recycle the left over paper, or integrate it into our non-FSC claim papers. That
way we don't have to keep a running inventory.

[mattf]

If you read the guidelines carefully, you don't have to designate a space devoted to certified paper. Its either "segregated" area or "clearly identifiable" labeling system. You can make an extra section for certified paper, but its not needed.

[Craig]

If you read the guidelines carefully, you don't have to designate a space devoted to certified paper. Its either "segregated" area or "clearly identifiable" labeling system. You can make an extra section for certified paper, but its not needed.

Oh that's a relief! After spending ALL that money for a "certification" most might not have the budget for the segregated area.

[SnappySteve]

If you read the guidelines carefully, you don't have to designate a space devoted to certified paper. Its either "segregated" area or "clearly identifiable" labeling system. You can make an extra section for certified paper, but its not needed.

If you read the guidelines too carefully, you might get sick over all the money you just paid them to certify you and all the work you get to do to "meet" their certification. They are going to turn into a private sector OSHA-type organization. ~Just my opinion.

[wordtothis]

We can't really afford the extra stocking space for FSC papers so in the event
we actually run a job requiring a claim (we have not run one yet), we'll either
recycle the left over paper, or integrate it into our non-FSC claim papers. That
way we don't have to keep a running inventory.

In my experience, we didn't have to keep running inventories of certified materials, but we did need to keep records of what certified materials came in and went out. This was one of the main things they wanted to see during our surveillance audits so I kept it pretty detailed.

[doubting_thomas]

When we went through our internal audit the paperwork
clearly stated that we were to have an inventory sheet of FSC
stock which we planned on making a claim with available. Maybe
that represents some sort of change, or things have changed.
It was pretty clearly stated that we had to account for extra
paper when the job was completed if we planned on making a
claim in the future with that paper.