Application for certification
You can apply for certification on the Ecocert website.
To be labelled
The Fair for Life or For Life “Labeling Processes” describe the steps to be followed by operators interested in either of these labels.
For a brief description of each of the six main stages in the labeling process, click on the stages below.
Fair For Life
- 1. The request
- 2. Formalizing the contract
- 3. Initial Audit
- 4. Corrective actions
- 5. Certification decision
- 6. Continuous monitoring
The request
By filling in the application form, you provide the Certification Body with all the information required to review your application and draw up a quotation.
To determine your initial eligibility for the program, a number of factors will be taken into account to ensure that your values, strategies and structure match the program’s eligibility criteria.
Formalizing the contract
Your application form will be used to generate a quote based on a number of factors (certifications already obtained, number of producers/employees, number of sites, etc.)
By signing and returning the quotation to the CB, you enter into a labeling contract with the CB, comprising: the technical conditions; the labeling process; the referential and all other related documents.
Initial Audit
You’ll receive forms specific to your business, to help you and the CB prepare for the audit.
An auditor will contact you directly to arrange logistics, and will send you an audit plan.
Make sure that the people mentioned in the plan are present, and that the documents indicated are ready to be shown to the auditor.
During the audit, your activities will be evaluated by various means (document review, observations, interviews) to determine whether they meet the requirements for certification.
Corrective actions
Once the audit is complete, you will receive an initial audit report listing the non-conformities found. On the basis of this report, you will :
- Immediately after the audit, commit to taking defined corrective actions;
- Within a given timeframe, provide proof that these corrective actions have been implemented for each non-conformity corresponding to labelling requirements.
Depending on the evidence provided, the CB may carry out an additional documentary assessment and/or an additional on-site audit.
Certification decision
The CB will check your application for completeness and issue a certification decision.
The certification decision is based on :
- the audit report, containing your proposed corrective action plan,
- proof of the corrective actions you have implemented, and
- other related documents.
Positive certification decision
The CB will send you your certification documents.
Negative certification decision
The CB will inform you by letter, stating the reasons for its decision.
Continuous monitoring
After the initial audit and certification decision, annual audits will be organized on a three-year cycle through surveillance and renewal audits.
You must inform the CB of any significant changes in activities or measures taken to ensure compliance with the Fair for Life or For Life standards, by submitting an updated version of your documents.
Surveillance audits
These are generally on-site audits. They focus on new certification requirements, confirm the implementation of corrective actions for previous non-conformities, and ensure ongoing compliance with fundamental aspects of the standards.
Renewal audits
Every three years, the CB will organize a renewal audit, during which all activities within the scope of the label will again be assessed for compliance with the requirements of the standards.