FSC Chain of Custody

The FSC Chain of Custody standard, published by the international organization Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), establishes requirements for companies wishing to demonstrate environmental responsibility and commitment to responsible forest management.

The standard’s requirements outline a management system aimed at effectively tracking raw materials used in the company’s production processes. This monitoring covers every phase in the processing of raw materials – from the forest through all intermediate production stages until delivery to consumers – ensuring that the materials used conform to the standard’s specifications.

FSC Chain of Custody applies to businesses that trade, process, or manufacture forest products made from wood or non-wood forest materials derived from virgin or recycled resources. Businesses typically implementing FSC Chain of Custody include those involved in logging, lumber production, wooden furniture and other wood- or cork-based products, pulp production, papermaking and cardboard manufacture, paper processing, and paper printing.

Developing the management system involves these steps:

1. Defining which products are included in the system and identifying their composition, type of raw materials, and origin.
2. Categorizing the included products by composition and origin of their raw materials.
3. Determining the method for tracking and managing incoming raw materials, intermediate products, and final products for each product category.
4. Evaluating existing management processes and records against the standard’s requirements.
5. Revising existing processes and records where deviations exist, and introducing new procedures and records where none exist.
6. Training staff in the system’s requirements.
7. Implementing the system.
8. Reviewing and updating the system as needed.

A management system need not be applied to all of a company’s products. However, only those products included in the system can be FSC Chain of Custody certified.

Working with a specialized consultant is typically necessary to develop a functional and effective system adapted to the company’s requirements and aligned with the standard’s demands. FSC Chain of Custody can also be integrated with other standards the company may be applying or seeking to apply (e.g., PEFC Chain of Custody, ISO 9001, or ISO 14001) to establish a unified management system.

Certification for FSC Chain of Custody is granted by bodies accredited by Accreditation Services International (ASI). The certification process involves evaluating the system’s compliance with the standard’s requirements, as well as reviewing its practical application. Depending on the category of incoming raw materials or products and the tracking/management method, final products are labeled as FSC Pure, FSC Mixed ×%, FSC Mixed Credit, FSC Recycled ×%, FSC Recycled Credit, or FSC Controlled Wood. Upon successful completion of the evaluation, the Certification Body issues a certificate valid for five years, granting the company the right to label products listed in the certificate with the corresponding FSC mark. In the event of deviations, corrective actions must be completed before the certificate is issued.

The certificate remains valid as long as scheduled periodic audits (at least annually) confirm continued compliance with the standard’s requirements.

Main factors motivating businesses to pursue FSC Chain of Custody certification include:

• Easy product recognition by consumers
• Attracting environmentally conscious customers
• Access to new export markets where consumers have high environmental awareness
• Contributing to forest and environmental protection
• Meeting customer demands