Working with your Suppliers - the Audit Process:
Relationships between companies and suppliers are significant for both parties. It is important to convey to your supplier your commitment to the environment and what your new policy and practices entails. This will help them understand what you expect and need from them and the products they supply to you. Set up a meeting or workshop to clarify exactly what you need and what time frames you are aiming for.

Your supplier will probably make the shift with you and supply you with "old growth free" products at a price and quality you require. To confirm the content of your products you need to conduct an audit. The audit process should reveal the fibres making up the products your company is purchasing. From the audit you need to find out:

• what fibres are in products,
• if there is tree fibre, is it old growth fibre.
• if there is old growth forest fibre, from where does it originate

Click here for a template audit letter and chain of custody verification form. Receiving a written audit response is essential. For accountability, it should also be signed by an officer of your supply company.