SmartLogging is a certification service developed to address the needs of loggers, private landowners who hire certified loggers and forest products companies.
To earn SmartLogging certification, you need to demonstrate environmentally, socially and economically responsible harvesting practices.
You also need to adopt regional best management practices, protect wildlife habitat, comply with worker safety regulations and operate the business in an ethical manner.
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Key steps to certification
To begin your certification process and receive a service quote, please contact us. Preferred by Nature provides a standardised, yet flexible process for you to earn a SmartLogging certification.
The process normally entails the following steps:
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Scope of your certificate: You are required to apply to SmartLogging. A SmartLogging Task Manager will be assigned to you to determine the scope of certification and develop a certification assessment cost estimate. Agreement on the budget must be reached before we formalise a Certification Agreement to begin the assessment process. |
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Selecting auditor and planning: The SmartLogging Task Manager will gather your input before proceeding to the next step of selecting a qualified Lead Auditor and other team members in the assessment. Our auditors are provided with detailed guidance on the certification process along with training and written SmartLogging auditing procedures. |
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Evaluation: We will review the harvester’s documentation, conduct interviews with employees and stakeholders, and collect data through field observations and measurements. We will organise opening meetings with the harvester or group manager to review the assessment scope and procedures, and certification standards. We then proceed to inspect sites chosen based on a comprehensive review of your harvesting systems and jobs, forest conditions, discuss with interested and/or affected stakeholders, and identify critical issues or challenging sites. |
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Certification: We evaluate performance by the harvester at the criterion and indicator level of the standard. Any non-conformances are analysed and classified as either minor or major. |
Here are the basis for all assessments:
Non-conformance | Corrective Action Type |
Major nonconformance: Failure to meet the objectives of the criterion | Major CAR |
Minor nonconformance: Noncompliance not leading to failure at the criterion level | Minor CAR |
Observation: Very minor problem or beginning stages of a problem that if untreated could result in a minor nonconformance |
Observation |
To achieve SmartLogging certification, you must comply to the requirements defined in the SmartLogging Certification Standard.
The Standard is categorised into eight (8) subject areas that are used by auditors for assessing performance of harvesting operations. The areas are:
1. Legal Requirements
2. Harvest Planning and Monitoring
3. Harvest Practices
4. Community Values
5. Occupational Health and Safety
6. Business Viability
7. Continuous Improvement and Innovation
8. Silviculture and Reforestation
Your options
Complementary Add-on Certifications
You may also apply for the following complementary add-on Forest Stewardship CouncilTM (FSCTM) certifications when applying for SmartLogging certification:
Controlled Wood
Controlled Wood certification confirms that you are taking due care to avoid unacceptable forestry practices. It can help your buyers to fulfil due diligence obligations under the EU Timber Regulation and other timber market laws, by demonstrating that they are mitigating their risk of sourcing illegal timber.
>>Find more information about FSC Controlled Wood certification here
Chain of Custody (CoC)
Chain of Custody (CoC) certification is to control the flow of certified materials throughout the supply chain. You need certification for any business-to-business trade in FSC certified products.
>>Find more information about FSC CoC certification here
Our experience
Our credentials
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Expertise. With over 25 years of experience within certification, we have built a team of qualified auditors located across Europe, America, Russia, Oceania, Africa and Asia. We service companies of all sizes dealing with various timber products. |
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Focus on customer experience. Our aim is to provide you with a beneficial service that is supportive and friendly. Our professional services are delivered on time and to a high quality. We will keep you up to speed on evolving certification requirements through client updates and provide you with the support needed to understand and fulfil your certification commitments. |
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Local presence, global reach. With staff located in 40 countries and backed by an extensive global network of experts, we cater to companies worldwide. |
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Complementary sustainability services. You can opt for additional services that support your sustainability efforts. For example, you can choose the complementary add-on certification schemes such as FSC Controlled Wood and/or FSC Chain of Custody certifications. |
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Non-profit factor. We are mission-driven, which is reflected in our focus on delivering our services with integrity and a high degree of professionalism. |
Your benefits
Three benefits of choosing SmartLogging certification
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Public trust. By taking an ambitious approach, you will differentiate your company in the market. A responsible approach to climate impact is increasingly seen as a key performance indicator and is an essential part of any CSR strategy. Opting for SmartLogging certification is an effective way to build trust amongst your clients and the wider public. Preferred by Nature will provide letters of support and other private business-to-business communications as proof of SmartLogging certified loggers and forest product companies commitment to responsible harvesting practices. |
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Branding opportunities. Larger companies in many European countries already face mandatory requirements to report on their emissions. As such, smaller businesses are being scrutinised by their clients and stakeholders. |
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Green is cool, but greenwashing is not. Make sure that responsible harvesting practices and certification are part of your sustainability strategy. SmartLogging provides a technically rigorous third-party evaluation of your harvesting practices. |