Sixteen creating Industries of America affiliates have joined together to form the Regional Affiliate Certificate Group providing manufacturing printers access to FSC chain of custody certification at group prices. On December 1, 2010, 47 providers have been effectively included within the group launch, which is the initial printers group created in North America. Although the group is limited to only accepting manufacturing providers with sales of under $5million, administrator Jim Tepper sees potential for many companies around the US.
"The most of print suppliers are providers with sales under $5 million and possess struggled with the procedure and charge of FSC compliance. By partnering with a group manager and also a well-respected auditing firm, we’ve utilized the benefit of association membership to provide our people a means of meeting their customer’s needs at an very affordable price which is under 50 % of a single certification," stated Tepper.
The group has engaged Shonstrom Consulting, a past SmartWood consultant, to manage the group in addition to provide trademark assessment and approval for all members. north american Green, a Burlington, VT dependent audit and certification firm, and also past SmartWood auditors, conducts the external audits on the group and is also assisting with group organization. PINE, the brand new England affiliate, is providing coordination for your group with assistance from PIAlliance and PIAmidamerica.
By aggregating participating firms, costs are substantially reduce than with individual certification. The complete costs are prorated around the total group. An more benefit is the availability on the group manager to help people with compliance, document preparation, advice on organization of records etc. which is normally not part of single audit procedures.
The participating affiliates represent over 6,000 providers around the usa and include: PINE, creating Industries Alliance, creating and Imaging Association of Mid America, creating Industries of Ohio/Northern Kentucky, creating Association of Florida, creating market on the Carolinas, creating market of Minnesota, creating Industries of Illinois/Indiana, creating Industries on the South, Pacific creating Industries, Graphic disciplines Association, creating Industries of Michigan, creating Industries of Arizona/New Mexico, creating Industries Association of Southern California, creating Industries of Wisconsin, and creating and Graphics Association MidAtlantic