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FSC Chain of Custody (COC)
The goal of controlling the COC is to test and document the flow of wooden materials. There are three options to meet the FSC requirements:
A) Physical separation (Transfer System): Any risk of mixing of certified and non certified products shall be avoided: Identification of the certified goods in each single step of production, separation and marking plus adequate booking are central aspects.
B) Percentage system: For assembled products, defined thresholds of certified and controlled material are used.
C) Credit system (Input-output): Proof by calculation, without separation. For a defined period of time the equivalent quantity, which was bought and put into the system as certified, can be labelled.
There are different requirements for the three options. The main difference is the control of any “unwanted sources” such as illegal logging. For options B) and C) the entire share of uncertified material shall be checked by the company in regard to its origin and further criteria. For print processes only the transfer and percentage system are applicable, not the credit system. For trading activities related to finished products only the transfer system is applicable.
All steps of production, including the internal labelling of goods, the accounting process and the correct declaration for products on sale are tested. Additionally, the product flow is periodically checked: the cross reference of the purchase and production of the certified goods according to quantity and assortment.
In case of large company groups or holdings a multi-site certification becomes relevant. A central office as representative of all participating companies is responsible for the implementation of the requirements within the whole group. Certification can be limited to certain regions or activities. Similar requirements are valid for group certification where independent companies join to obtain certification. Group certification can only be issued to small companies with a staff of less than 25 AND a turnover of less than 1 million US$, or companies with a staff of less than 15.
The time frame needed for a Chain of Custody main audit is about 1 day for processors and can be less for traders. The company covers any expenses and licence fees. The annual surveillance audits are based on a random check and are therefore shorter.
Please send us the filled application_form_coc.doc. You will receive a detailed offer based on a daily rate varying by country and further information including the respective standard.
>> How to become certified
A) Physical separation (Transfer System): Any risk of mixing of certified and non certified products shall be avoided: Identification of the certified goods in each single step of production, separation and marking plus adequate booking are central aspects.
B) Percentage system: For assembled products, defined thresholds of certified and controlled material are used.
C) Credit system (Input-output): Proof by calculation, without separation. For a defined period of time the equivalent quantity, which was bought and put into the system as certified, can be labelled.
There are different requirements for the three options. The main difference is the control of any “unwanted sources” such as illegal logging. For options B) and C) the entire share of uncertified material shall be checked by the company in regard to its origin and further criteria. For print processes only the transfer and percentage system are applicable, not the credit system. For trading activities related to finished products only the transfer system is applicable.
All steps of production, including the internal labelling of goods, the accounting process and the correct declaration for products on sale are tested. Additionally, the product flow is periodically checked: the cross reference of the purchase and production of the certified goods according to quantity and assortment.
In case of large company groups or holdings a multi-site certification becomes relevant. A central office as representative of all participating companies is responsible for the implementation of the requirements within the whole group. Certification can be limited to certain regions or activities. Similar requirements are valid for group certification where independent companies join to obtain certification. Group certification can only be issued to small companies with a staff of less than 25 AND a turnover of less than 1 million US$, or companies with a staff of less than 15.
The time frame needed for a Chain of Custody main audit is about 1 day for processors and can be less for traders. The company covers any expenses and licence fees. The annual surveillance audits are based on a random check and are therefore shorter.
Please send us the filled application_form_coc.doc. You will receive a detailed offer based on a daily rate varying by country and further information including the respective standard.
>> How to become certified
