Third party certification

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: slloyd@forestfoundation.org.