The ENplus® Interviews: Goran Ivanovic believes that ENplus® has significantly changed the pellet market in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Our interviews with ENplus^® inspection bodies and listed auditors continue with a virtual trip to the Balkans where we meet our local pellet expert. Goran Ivanovic is not only a listed auditor for the certification scheme but also a consultant to a dedicated pellet trade platform in Bosnia & Herzegovina which aims at helping end-users easily find certified producers and traders.

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Hello Goran, share a few words about your experience with the ENplus^® certification scheme.

Since I worked as an auditor of the ISO9001 and FSC CoC systems, it has always been exciting for me to see how the ENplus^® certification scheme has introduced a systematic approach towards the quality of operations and the product itself.

I found out about the scheme in 2015, when I happened to be in a production site of a pellet manufacturer where I met ENplus^® auditors implementing an initial inspection for a certification. We exchanged some ideas and talked about our experience, and soon after that I decided to become an auditor for ENplus^®. I have been listed as an ENplus^® auditor since 2017.

What is the typical day of an auditor?  Walk us through your daily routine.

For me, a typical auditor’s day starts the day before and ends the day after the actual inspection. The day before, I am working on the preparation of documentation, reviewing last year's report, checking photos from the previous audit, and verifying whether there were any nonconformities.

Upon arriving at the company on the day of the inspection, I am eager to see if there have been any improvements since the previous audit. The inspection itself is routine if the company has been certified for a couple of years and the Quality Manager and the workers have undergone the necessary trainings.

Each audit begins with checking of the documentation and verifying if there have been any status changes in the company since the last audit. If there were nonconformities during the previous audit, then together with the company representative we discuss how these have been resolved and documented.

Afterwards, we move to the production plant where we check the entire production flow - the input of raw materials, production, equipment maintenance, internal laboratory, the storage and shipment of the finished product. We pay special attention to potential non-compliances with the ENplus^® standard. Then, we return to the office, check the other documentation and conclude the inspection. The day after, I am finalizing the draft report. 

On average how many inspections for ENplus^® do you do annually?

The number of ENplus^® inspections that I perform in Bosnia and Herzegovina is growing each year, as well as the number of certified producers. Last year I had 17 inspections and I expect this year more than 20 audits.

In your opinion how has ENplus^® changed the market in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past few years? What about the Balkans in general?

The ENplus^® certification has significantly changed the pellet market in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The ENplus^® pellet producers are constantly improving their capacity and quality of production because the scheme gives them a lot of opportunities to export pellets. On the other hand, with the ENplus^® stamp, consumers get a quality guarantee when purchasing and using pellets. The situation is similar throughout the Balkans. 

Why do people choose wood pellets for a heat solution? Does certification influence their purchase decisions or are most end-users still not aware of the values the ENplus^® label brings?

Although fossil fuels, especially coal, are traditionally used as a heat solution in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the consumption of pellets is growing each year.

Pellets are an attractive energy source, combustion systems are automated, the energy it provides is stable during severe winter. ENplus^® pellet certification gives end-users a sense of additional guarantee for quality and certainly has a positive impact on the decision to buy pellets. However, we still have a significant amount of uncertified pellets on the domestic market - over 30%. This is primarily because a number of consumers are not aware of all the benefits provided by ENplus^® label, so we still have a lot of work to do in promoting ENplus^® certification in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Inspection of the ENplus^® certified producer with ENplus^® ID: BA002