Collaborating for credibility

As FSC, Assurance Services International (ASI), and certification bodies (CBs) work hand-in-hand to address current challenges and build a more robust system, this workshop stands out as a model for meaningful engagement and shared learning in support of a stronger, more credible FSC system.

As part of its commitment to an open and transparent approach to safeguarding the integrity of its system, FSC hosted a calibration workshop on 9–10 April 2025 in Beijing, bringing together around 50 representatives from 18 CBs operating within the FSC system in China. Assurance Services International (ASI) participated as an expert assurance partner. The goal was to foster open dialogue on integrity challenges and explore practical and effective ways to detect and manage integrity risks across the certification system. This workshop was not a stand-alone event, but part of a broader series of initiatives to strengthen system integrity in the wider Eurasia region. These efforts include ASI’s analysis of the certification landscape in China, the CB calibration meeting in Bonn, Germany, and other ongoing investigations.

Open conversations on shared responsibility

FSC opened the session by sharing its long-standing global experience in investigating integrity risks, outlining its current commitments and workplans for strengthening system integrity, and explaining recent developments in its integrity management system.

As FSC’s assurance partner, ASI provided a detailed briefing on its role in supporting FSC through independent oversight and presented the process and findings from recent investigations into integrity issues and audit quality in China. These findings set the stage for in-depth discussions and collaborative reflection throughout the workshop.

A safe space for dialogue and learning

One of the defining features of the workshop was the safe and open environment created for CBs to engage meaningfully with the findings presented. Representatives spoke candidly about their experiences and the real-world challenges they face in identifying and managing integrity risks. Together, they examined root causes, shared insights, and explored practical measures for improvement in a spirit of constructive collaboration.

The dialogue brought to light important differences in how CBs approach integrity, offering participants a valuable opportunity to align perspectives and foster mutual learning. In breakout groups, CBs worked together to validate findings from recent ASI investigations and discussed specific integrity scenarios. The groups also examined a range of case studies, allowing CBs to consider how revised procedures and upcoming changes would play out in practice.

Forward-looking developments and practical tools

In addition to reflections on past investigations, FSC and ASI shared updates on key normative developments, including revisions to the ASI assessment procedure and proposals for new guidance documents. A highlight was the presentation of a draft Code of Conduct for CB auditors, designed to articulate what integrity means in audit practice and how it can be supported through clearer expectations and practical tools. CB representatives provided constructive feedback on the proposed guidance, helping to ensure that the code reflects the realities on the ground while continuing to raise the bar on audit quality and uphold a zero-tolerance stance on corruption in auditing and certification.

Reflections that drive improvement

Throughout the day, messages and insights from CB representatives were carefully documented by FSC and ASI. These inputs will directly inform upcoming improvements to both the normative system and oversight and integrity management practice. At the same time, CBs expressed their intention to take ideas and reflections from the workshop back to their wider teams – using them to drive internal improvements and strengthen consistency in their own audit practices.

All participants emphasized the value of having a platform to openly discuss integrity issues and welcomed the opportunity to learn from one another in a spirit of partnership. There was a strong consensus that such collaborative forums should not only continue, but become a regular feature of FSC’s approach to integrity and assurance system development.

As FSC, ASI, and CBs work hand-in-hand to address current challenges and build a more robust system, this workshop stands out as a model for meaningful engagement and shared learning in support of a stronger, more credible FSC system.

This news was first published on the ASI website.