Annual Administration Fee (AAF) Update *Please note this applies to all FSC Certificate Holders (CHs).
CONTENT
Abbreviations New AAF Policy New AAF Process 1. Introduction to new AAF Process (Self-Declaration) 2. Responsibilities for the Certificate Holder and BM TRADA 3. Process flow 4. Sample Self-Declaration Form Useful Documents
ABBREVIATIONS Annual Administration Fee
AAF
Certification Body
CB
Certificate Holder
CH
Chain of Custody
CoC
Forest Products Turnover
FPT
BM TRADA
BMT
New AAF Policy
FSC-POL-20-005 V3-4 FSC has published an updated version of the AAF Policy – FSC-POL-20-005 V3-4 Annual Administration Fee (AAF) Policy. The new policy will be effective from 1 January 2024 and a summary of the changes are detailed below: • The policy has been updated to reflect an inflation adjustment of 8.7% • Table 2, detailed in Annex 2, has been updated to reflect the increase • The minimum AAF has also increased from $83 to $91. The new policy can be accessed at the end of this presentation or on the FSC website: https://connect.fsc.org/documentcentre/documents/resource/221
Introduction to new AAF process Self-Declaration
Last year we made you aware of the updated FSC Annual Administration Fee and Frequently Asked Questions. As part of the policy revision, there is a requirement that the certification body must assess the overall plausibility of the FPT. In addition, we are also required to: 1. 2.
Determine the exact FPT for each individual site(s) included in the scope of certification Calculate the AAF for single and multi-site processors and traders based on the aggregated FPT of the site(s) included in the scope of certification
To support these changes, we will be issuing an AAF Self-Declaration annually.
RESPONSIBILITIES CH RESPONSIBILITIES •
A copy of the self-declaration form is attached to this email and will be issued once per annum.
•
All CH’s must complete and submit this self-declaration form each year by the specified deadline •
•
For the 2023 AAF please return the self-declaration form by 15th December 2023 to opsinfo@bmtrada.com
Please return the self-declaration form to BM TRADA for review.
BM TRADA RESPONSIBILITIES •
Once the self-declaration has been returned, BM TRADA will review and update the FSC database by the 31st of December.
•
Any queries regarding the data will be discussed with the CH
•
The completed Self-Declaration will be issued to the auditor and will be assessed further during their annual audit.
Self-Declaration Form
Please state the currency used for the figures quoted below
Please confirm the Total Revenue for the organisation
Please confirm the total FPT for each site covered by the certification
Please complete all relevant fields to confirm who has completed the self declaration
Summary of Self-Declaration Process CB issues self-declaration form to CH
CB submits a self-declaration form to BM TRADA by the specified deadline BM TRADA review and update the FSC database by the 31st of December.
An Email will be sent directly to the primary contact* at the CH
Any queries regarding the self-declaration will be discussed with the CH.
The completed Self-Declaration will be issued to the auditor and will be assessed further during the CH’s annual audit.
Please note: - * It is the CH's responsibility to inform BM TRADA of any change to the primary contact details - ** From 2024 Automated weekly reminders will be issued to CH’s until the self-declaration is returned For the 2023 AAF please return the self-declaration form by 15th December 2023 to opsinfo@bmtrada.com