What Does Chain-Of-Custody Certified Mean?

We've written previously about the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), its goal to promote environmentally robust, economically viable and socially beneficial global forest management, and its importance in the sustainability of wood or paper products.

As a business with sustainability at its core, we understand the importance behind FSC labels. They're a guarantee that companies along the supply and value chains will act responsibly, so we can tell the general public, with absolute confidence, that our products do not and will not harm the environment.

During these times of climate crisis, that matters.

In this blog, we'll take a closer look at FSC chain of custody certificates, what it means to have FSC certified materials in the supply chain and the value that certification holds for businesses. Ready? Let's go.

What is the FSC chain of custody (CoC)?

FSC chain of custody (CoC) certification extends the length of the value chain: that's from the forest manager, to the sawmill, from the paper mill manufacturer to the broker, distributor and wholesaler, and finally to the retailer and printer.

This chain of custody ensures that, at every stage of the product manufacturing process, verified FSC materials and FSC controlled wood have been used - and the FSC logo proves it.

FSC CoC certification also ensures all unacceptable or non-controlled material has been eliminated from that product's supply chain, so when customers buy FSC-labelled products, they can be 100% certain these certified products come from responsible sources and well-managed forests.

It also extends to non certified inputs, but we'll cover that later.

Is there just one FSC chain of custody certification?

It might surprise you to know there are several different forms of FSC chain of custody certification standard and they vary in their complexity.

● Single site chain of custody certification is for firms or small businesses operating from one site that want to demonstrate environmental performance across the supply chain

● Multi site chain of custody certification covers companies running several facilities. It designates a central office and manage one certificate

● Group custody chain of custody certification allows small, independent operators to collectively designate a group manager and obtain a single chain of custody certificate

● Project chain of custody certification this covers new building or renovation schemes, and includes a range of options for certifying organisations managing a wide range of projects, from a single wooden boat and office buildings, to major event infrastructure like seating.

Additional, optional FSC CoC certifications that are also covered by the custody standard include:

Controlled wood chain of custody certification - this covers uncertified material that has been combined with FSC-certified material in products carrying the FSC MIX label.

Controlled wood does not come from FSC-certified forests but areas covered by FSC's system that seeks to eliminate illegally harvested timber in the supply chain, as well as wood:

● from forests where high conservation values are under threat from management activities

● from forests where genetically modified trees are planted

● harvested in violation of traditional and human rights

● from forests being converted to plantations or non-forest use

Sourcing reclaimed material chain of custody certification - it verifies wood as reclaimed, so a company can receive full claim-contributing inputs for FSC product groups.

How to secure FSC chain of custody certification?

According to the FSC: "Any company involved in the processing or transformation of FSC certified products (eg manufacturing, repackaging, pack-splitting, relabelling, cutting to size or adding other forest-based components to the product) must be FSC certified in order to apply an FSC label to their products and/or sell them with an FSC claim."

To achieve chain of custody certification and label products with Forest Stewardship Council certification, a company must reach the FSC-STD-40-004 CoC certification standard.

To begin the chain of custody process, companies must contact FSC-accredited certification bodies (and/or small business group schemes if appropriate).

The certification body will ask for some basic data about the businesses seeking certification, before providing information about FSC chain of custody certification requirements.

A company can seek qualification individually or as part of a group scheme, with all agreements to do so completed before filing an application to the selected FSC certification body. An FSC-aligned forest management CoC or CoC management system must also be in place.

An FSC certification audit, which is carried out by a verified third party, will then assess the company's compliance with the relevant FSC requirements and procedures. The certification body makes its decision based on the findings of the audit report.

How long does FSC certification last?

Companies that are successful will receive an FSC certificate and corresponding FSC certificate and licence codes. If the audit concludes a company is not in full compliance with FSC requirements, then suggested changes must be carried out before any further audit.

FSC certificates are valid for five years, and the FSC-accredited certification body will carry out annual audits to ensure the company remains in compliance.

How are FSC certified products tracked?

The FSC's certified chain of custody tracks materials and products through every stage in the supply chain, from the forest or point of reclamation, to the point where it is finished and labelled.

Stringent invoicing procedures used by certificate holders, coupled with the final label placed by manufacturers on each and every product that has a verification code, confirming to the end user that the item and resources behind it are genuinely FSC.

What are the benefits of an FSC label?

The obvious benefits of being FSC CoC certified means retailers and consumers have complete confidence that the certified products they are buying, be they paper, board or wood products, have come from responsible sources, sustainable forests and reclaimed material, rather than illegally logged or non certified wood.

As well as enhancing your profile among customers who are increasingly interested in the sustainable origins and manufacture of their purchases, the auditing and verification processing that underpins FSC certified wood products and their highly visible traceability can help expand your market access.

That's because only FSC CoC-certified operations and manufacturers are permitted to label products with the FSC trademarks.

Certificate holders can also demonstrate compliance with specifications such as the EU Ecolabel scheme for wood furniture, or US Green Building Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, or public or private procurement policies.

FSC chain of custody certification and Denmaur

We're proud to say we achieved the FSC-STD-40-004 CoC multi site certification standard, covering the purchase, processing, sales and distribution of paper and paperboard.

As well as offering a range of Forest Stewardship Council-certified and carbon balanced products, we have developed sustainability reporting that includes FSC and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) statements to help our clients with their audits if they are already certified.

We can also offer help and support with the companies in process of becoming certified, provide tree species and country of origin statements, as well as due diligence statements to enable our customers to comply with EU Timber Regulations and the Modern Slavery Act.

To find out more about the FSC certification, or if you want to source eco-friendly paper and paperboard supplies, contact our team today at info@denmaur.com or phone 01727 738750.