CSI is an accredited body for voluntary certifications in the supply chain of the agrifood and forestry sectors.
The voluntary product certification offered by CSI, as an independent third party, is an important tool available to companies to enhance their brand in an increasingly demanding market. CSI also offers an integrated system of laboratory services, operating on a wide range of products to meet all the needs of companies that can thus find a global service of product testing and certification.
Product safety in the food sector is an increasingly topical issue on which the consumer's attention is growing. The assessment of compliance with the various applicable standards (in the various stages of processing, from primary production, product processing, logistics and distribution, etc.) is addressed to all companies operating in the food chain and ensures that the management of the process and the product meet the specific requirements and applicable legislation.
The BRC and IFS families of certifications are required by the market for the export to certain European countries, but over time have also become essential to access the Italian market.
The main advantage coming from the certifications against the international standards is given by a greater visibility towards the foreign markets of destination of the product (the certification is not compulsory but it represents an excellent commercial tool as it is requested by the main European and Italian retailers); moreover, all the certifications can exploit synergies with other management systems already present in the Group (management systems and product certification).
Under the brand ICILA, the historical company of the IMQ group specialized in services for the wood sector, CSI can issue the certifications of the two main owners of the forestry schemes FSC® and PEFC and of the related Chains of Custody.
Both scheme owners, FSC® and PEFC, aim to promote sustainable and responsible management of the planet's forest heritage.
The certification of forest management allows to demonstrate that strict principles of environmental respect, protection and social participation and economic development are respected in the management of certified areas, allowing also the implementation of supply chains with the use of certified timber in order to highlight the respect of these principles up to the final consumer.
To the certification of forest management can be added, for the FSC scheme, the verification of the impacts of ecosystem services, maintained or improved by proper management, which can be translated into benefits concerning different aspects such as recovery of the natural characteristics of forests, protection of biodiversity, regeneration and storage of carbon stocks, maintenance and improvement of water quality and regulation of water flow, regeneration and improvement of soil conditions as well as improvement of areas for tourism and recreation.
This certification makes it possible to attract investment from sponsors who wish to support the forest manager for the impact produced, demonstrate corporate social responsibility and commitment to climate change, and improve relations with stakeholders and the community.
Through FSC and PEFC chain of custody certification, organizations can demonstrate that their products made from forestry-derived materials, wood and pulp, but also bamboo and cork, and some foods such as mushrooms, berries, honey, come from responsibly managed sources as required by FSC and PEFC standards.