Third party certification
ATFS Normative Documents and Support Guidance
ATFS Normative Documents & Support Guidance
The following normative documents and support guidance aid certification managers, certification bodies, and stakeholders in implementing and complying with third-party certification requirements.
ATFS State Program Documents:
- AFF National Certificate - 2025
- AFF 2025 Audit Public Summary Report
- AFF 2021 Standards of Sustainability, v2.2
- 2021 Eligibility Requirements and Guidance (v2.2)
- Inspection Form (aka 021 Form)
- FORI Primer
Group Certification Documents:
- Becoming an Individual Third-Party Certificate Holder (ICH)
- Establishing an Independently Managed Group (IMG)
- 2021 IMG Certification Standards v2.2
- 2021 IMG Checklist for Group Managers
Administrative Documents:
- ATFS Standard Setting Requirements
- ATFS Sampling Procedures for Assessments
- Dispute and Appeals Procedure
- Accreditation Rule (Standards Council of Canada)
- Accreditation Rule (ANAB)
- ATFS Logo Rules
For questions about these resources, please contact ATFS Certification Manager Steve Lloyd: [email protected].
Affected Stakeholder Consultation
An affected stakeholder is an individual or entity who would experience a direct change in living and/or working conditions as a result of implementation of the AFF Standards of Sustainability and associated requirements. As the owner and manager of the AFF Standards of Sustainability, the American Forest Foundation is required to make reasonable efforts to determine the affected stakeholders relevant to sustainable forest management under these Standards, and the relevant needs and expectations of these stakeholders. If you believe you are an affected stakeholder, please reply by filling out the Affected Stakeholder Consultation Survey.