ISO 22095 Mass Balance Chain of Custody Audit Requirements
ISO 22095 mass balance audits demand strict site boundaries, verified baseline yield conversions, and zero negative credit balances across accounting periods.
Third-Party Certification Audit
Meaning
An independent evaluation verifies that a plastic processor’s mass balance accounting and material handling conform to established sustainability standards. The third-party certification audit provides a critical check that ensures the volumes of certified polymer sold correspond to physical resin purchases. External auditors conduct this review annually to maintain the credibility of sustainable product claims.
This scrutiny protects the integrity of the recycled material market from fraudulent declarations.
Material Efficiency
During the evaluation, inspectors review the receipts of all incoming certified resins and compare them to the physical inventory. The third-party certification audit ensures that any regrind used in production is correctly documented and that process losses are deducted from the credit ledger. This rigorous verification prevents the dilution of certified material with conventional polymer.
It ensures that the molded parts delivered to customers meet the specified sustainability criteria. This audit also confirms that the melt flow index and physical properties of the materials used in production match those specified in the sustainability documents.
Production Limit
The audit imposes operational limits by forcing factories to maintain impeccable record-keeping and clear segregation of materials. A third-party certification audit requires the plant to prove that non-certified polymer is never mixed with certified material in the same silo without proper accounting. This demand for traceability can slow down production during transition periods.
It forces molders to establish rigid standard operating procedures for material handling.
Financial Consequence
The financial consequences of failing this review are severe and immediate. If the third-party certification audit identifies a material discrepancy, the plant can lose its certification. This loss prevents the company from charging a premium, leading to a drop in revenue.