The auditor's approach: Ensuring standards in sustainable forestry

This article is based on our podcast episode released on 28th January 2025. [Listen to the full episode here]

Forest certification plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainable forestry practices, but what does it look like in practice? We sat down with Michael Koldsø, a certification auditor at WSP Denmark, to understand how auditors work to maintain standards in the forestry industry.

As part of a five-person team responsible for certification across Scandinavia, Koldsø spends his days visiting companies and forests, ensuring they meet FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) standards. 

It is detailed work that requires both technical knowledge and people skills – capabilities he has developed through a varied career path.

The making of an auditor

Before entering the world of forestry, Koldsø served as both a military police officer and a sniper, roles that taught him valuable lessons he still applies today.

"Good orientation skills and being good at just sitting still and looking – that is what makes a good sniper," he reflects. "The same skills help when you are assessing certification compliance."

This attention to detail and ability to read people serve him well in his current role. When he is not conducting audits, Koldsø channels his discipline into ultra-running, having completed races of up to 120 kilometres with 6,500 metres of altitude gain. Whether it is a 20-hour mountain run or a detailed audit, his approach remains the same: methodical, focused, and always with an eye on the end goal.

A week in the life of an auditor

For Koldsø, each week follows a careful rhythm designed to balance site visits with thorough documentation.

"Monday is typically a Chain of Custody audit, followed by report writing on Tuesday. Then a new audit on Wednesday, another report on Thursday, and Friday is for catching up and planning work," he explains.

During each audit, he meets with between five and ten people, from company directors to warehouse staff. This variety of interactions is where his previous experience proves invaluable.

"It is very important to create a safe atmosphere for the client," he emphasises. "Everyone can learn the standards, but I need to talk to people, to meet them, to know that they are telling me the truth."

The certification process

Throughout an audit, Koldsø follows a systematic approach, starting with the administrative aspects of certification.

"We often begin with the administrative part, where we look into procedures, documentation, and the standards," he explains. "Then we examine the management aspect, including ILO labour rights, which is a major focus in FSC at the moment."

When issues arise, there are three levels of findings:

• Observations: Potential future issues that need to be addressed before the next audit
• Minor non-conformities: Issues that must be resolved within 12 months
• Major non-conformities: The most serious category, requiring resolution within three months

"It is like driving through a red traffic light with your head under your arm," Koldsø explains about major non-conformities. "If you have five major non-conformities during an audit, that leads to immediate suspension."

The changing landscape of certification

While FSC and PEFC serve similar purposes, they have distinct characteristics that reflect their origins.

"FSC has a very strong brand that ordinary people recognise," Koldsø notes. Even his six-year-old daughter already knows to look for the FSC logo on products.

PEFC, meanwhile, dominates in construction timber, particularly in Scandinavia. "Each scheme has its place," he explains. "FSC is very strong in paper and tropical timber, while PEFC is more popular in construction timber in the Nordic countries."

Looking ahead, the industry faces new challenges with the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

"Some question why we need certification when we have the EUDR," he acknowledges. "But certification covers much more than just deforestation. When companies get certified, the requirements often become increasingly stringent – that is how we add value."

Building trust and expertise

Koldsø's approach to auditing reflects both his military background and his understanding of human nature. To maintain objectivity, auditors can only assess the same site three times before rotating to different locations. They also adhere to strict professional boundaries – Koldsø cannot audit sites where he has personal connections.

The work requires continuous learning, as standards and interpretations evolve.

"Every month we receive what we call 'top tips' – new interpretations or updates about issues with the standard," he explains. This constant evolution keeps the work challenging and engaging.

Making a difference

Over the past decade, Koldsø has witnessed certification become an integral part of the Danish wood industry.

"Most major companies today are certified in some manner," he notes with satisfaction. "It is becoming the norm rather than the exception."

This progress represents real change towards a more sustainable future. When asked about the future of certification, Koldsø remains optimistic but pragmatic.

"We need to keep adding value," he says. "The standards need to mean something and make a real difference in how forests are managed."

For someone who started his career with military precision, Koldsø has found an unexpected yet fitting role in ensuring the precision of sustainable forestry practices – one audit at a time.