About Us
STEP UP Certification is a certification body offering various sustainability certification services in Europe and elsewhere in the World. Our mission is to empower organizations to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility through rigorous certification processes. We believe in transparency, integrity, and excellence in all that we do.
Jānis Švirksts
I have been working in the field of certification for over 12 years, holding various positions within certified organizations, policy development, and mainly — directly in certification bodies. I hold a higher degree in forest management, complemented by studies at the Faculty of Chemistry and in Business Education. I am a father of two children, and in my professional life, I place the highest value on my team, whom I trust.
Recognizing the importance of the team, I would like to introduce you to them.
Āris Jansons
Forest and Contractor Certification Lead auditor
Āris name in the forestry sector needs no comments. My first encounter with Āris was during my university days at the Forest Faculty. At that time, around 2010, I was sitting in a lecture hall, and Āris was already a lecturer teaching the Forest Restoration course for Forest Engineering students. I can be proud that Āris appreciated my knowledge at that time with a score of "10."
Our next meeting was after several years, when we mutually participated in an FSC audit. Āris was the lead auditor, and I was a trainee auditor.
Over the years, it has always been a true pleasure to work with Āris, and when founding a new certification body, STEP UP Certification, I immediately reached out to Āris about his willingness to join the team.
I am truly pleased and proud that we can work together once again.
Anete Meija
Certification Manager
"I have known Anete since 2020. At that time, she helped the company I was managing during a very difficult period. The product certification department underwent reforms, and as soon as she joined the team, she immediately helped to maintain the institute's accreditation status. Later, largely due to Anete's skills, we managed to significantly expand the company's accreditation scope into areas that we had only heard about. At the end of last year, our paths diverged, but notably — to later meet again in a new company.
Considering Anete's experience and capabilities, she was the first, after me, to review the newly established quality management system within the internal audit framework. Later, to my genuine pleasure, she agreed to become the Certification Manager at STEP UP Certification.
Anete is one of the most responsible and trustworthy people I know."
Māris Liopa
Impartiality Committee member
Māris name in the industry needs no comments. Māris is my former boss, Chairperson of the Latvian Forest Certification Council, and an external advisor to the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia on sustainable forest resource management and utilization issues. I have learned a lot from Māris and continue to do so. Māris is a fighter who advocates for his ideals and for the industry as well.
Together, we have traveled to Ukraine more than once, including to the front lines, to support Ukraine in its fight for independence.
I am honored that, among all my many roles, Māris also found time to become a member of the Impartiality Committee of SIA STEP UP Certification.
Uldis Valainis
Impartiality Committee member
"I know Uldis for 10 years. Back than I worked at the Forest Certification Council of Latvia (LMSP), and together with Daugavpils University, we organized the first international conference of the LMSP.
Notably, the 10th LMSP conference recently took place.
Two years later, with changes in the centralized risk assessment by FSC, and Latvia becoming a high-risk country regarding biodiversity protection in certification, chaos ensued. Everyone tried to adapt to the new requirements in their own way. Meanwhile, EU habitat mapping work was underway. Uldis’ energy and knowledge helped many companies organize their internal processes and understand what exactly needs to be protected and what does not.
I am honored that Uldis agreed to become a member of the STEP UP Certification Impartiality Committee."