FSC® Chain of Custody

1. Apply for Certification

   Complete and submit the SCS Application form. SCS will then prepare a proposal for your approval with suggested scope of work, timeline and quote. If the proposal meets your needs you will sign a Work Order and the audit will be scheduled.

2. Written Procedures

   Create company procedures that demonstrate how certified wood or paper products will be tracked throughout your operation. SCS provides guidance to help explain the chain-of-custody requirements.

3. Pre-Audit Assessment

   An SCS auditor will review your procedures for thoroughness and conformance. The auditor identifies areas for improvement in the procedures prior to the audit.

4. On-site Audit

   During a site visit, an SCS auditor will review the chain-of-custody procedures and documents (from receipt of inputs to the final sale). Additionally, the auditor will tour the facilities where certified material is handled and interview key staff. We look for evidence that staff has been duly trained in the CoC responsibilities that have been assigned to them and that staff possess an understanding of the workflow for certified products.

5. Assessment Report

   Based on audit findings, SCS produces an audit report. The audit report is submitted to a SCS Technical Associate who validates the appropriateness of the auditor's methodology and conclusions.

6. Make Certification Decision

   The Technical Associate decides whether to grant certification. If granted, you will be issued a certificate valid for a five-year period. Any conditional Major Corrective Action Requests (CARs) identified by SCS must be closed prior to obtaining certification. SCS can also provide client marketing support.

7. Maintain Certification

   Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain chain-of-custody certification. Certified companies and product offerings are listed on the official FSC certificate holder database. Certified companies are granted permission to use trademarks for on-product and off-product applications in conformance with the appropriate trademark standard.

FSC CoC audits can be conducted concurrently with Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) CoC audits, enabling you to get even more value from your certification efforts. SCS also offers Controlled Wood Certification for forest management operations not ready for full FSC certification.

Additionally, wood products may qualify for SCS Recycled Content, SCS Indoor Advantage indoor air quality, or SCS CARB Formaldehyde Compliance (CARB ATCM) certification. Woody biomass producers may wish to combine PEFC Chain of Custody audits with Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) audits to reduce overall audit time and expense.

Do we need to be Chain-of-Custody certified?

Companies pursue Chain of Custody certification to demonstrate to their clients and the general public that the wood or paper products that they are selling are traceable to the certified forest of origin. Chain of Custody certification is required if your company takes legal ownership of certified materials or products and wishes to pass on a certified claim to your customer(s). Companies at the end of the supply chain, such as retailers who will not be passing the claim forward on an invoice, are not required to hold a certificate although they may choose to do so. FSC now offers retailer promotional licenses for off-product promotional purposes. Contact your local FSC office or SCS for more information.

What type of Chain-of-Custody certification do I need?

Every Chain-of-Custody certificate holder must conform to the Chain of Custody Standard. Certification to additional standards may be necessary depending on the structure of your organization (e.g. multi-site for common ownership, or group certification for small businesses without common ownership ) and the use of uncertified materials (virgin or recycled) that you might wish to source and mix with your certified materials or products. Please contact SCS to determine the available options for your enterprise.

Does FSC Chain of Custody certification make me eligible for green building program credits?

Yes, there are many green building programs such as US Green Building Council's LEED program, Living Building Challenge, LEED India, the Green Building Council of Australia and others that offer credit for the use of certified wood products in construction. Consult the green building standard, a local green building professional, or SCS to learn more.

What other drivers exist in the marketplace for FSC certified products?
Government projects (e.g. courthouses, schools, military installations) and corporate sourcing policies exceedingly call for products to be FSC certified.

How much does Chain of Custody certification cost?

Prices for SCS auditing services vary depending on the location, size and complexity of your operation. Chain of Custody systems range from simple to very complex, and there are separate CoC standards addressing companies with multiple facilities, outsource manufacturing, and the verification of recycled or non-controversial sources. Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain your certification. SCS offers reduced prices for companies that hold multiple SCS certifications (for example Chain of Custody and Indoor Air Quality or Recycled Content). Other common certifications for CoC certificate holders include food safety (packaging), carbon footprint, carbon neutrality, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001. Please contact SCS for customized recommendations specific to your business.

How long does the Chain-of-Custody certification process take?

The certification process takes approximately 6-8 weeks depending on the size and complexity of your operation. The largest component of this is audit preparation. If you have already developed your FSC procedures, certification audits can take place in a rushed format for an additional fee. For primary producers implementing a Controlled Wood sourcing program, a 6-week stakeholder consultation is required.

What sets SCS apart from other FSC COC certification bodies?

SCS has the longest running forest products certification program in the world. With a customer service orientated focus, we aim to provide superior service, responsiveness, and the highest quality specialists available. Our Chain of Custody staff includes approximately 35 fulltime experts and many more partners, affiliates, and local contract auditors. 

Can SCS help me prepare for my audit?

As an accredited 3rd party certification body, SCS is forbidden from providing any applicants with consulting services. However, we are able to provide guidance documents to help your company prepare for a certification audit. Additionally, consultant information may be provided upon request. For any companies seeking a pre-audit assessment/gap analysis, such pre-audits are available for an additional fee. Lastly, your firm will be provided with an audit plan in advance of the audit that will provide an outline for the day as well as information on documentation that may be requested during the assessment.

How long is my Chain of Custody certificate valid?

Chain of Custody certificates are valid for a period of five years, contingent on annual surveillance audits occurring once every 12 months.

How can I use the SCS Kingfisher Responsible Forestry logo?

SCS FSC certificate holders in good standing can use the Kingfisher Responsible Forestry logo for on-product and promotional claims in conjunction with use of the FSC logo. Logo use guidelines and images are provided upon achieving certification. Co-branding with SCS’ Kingfisher has resonated with consumers according to our research, as the claim ‘Responsible Forestry’ clearly communicates what the FSC certification is all about.

Current FSC Chain of Custody Certificate Holders

Details on all companies and products currently certified by SCS according to the requirements of the FSC can be found in the FSC's Registered Certificates database. This is the official database of FSC certificate holders. Find all companies certified by SCS and Public Summaries of their evaluation reports by following these steps:

1. Go here: FSC's Registered Certificates database
2. Select SCS (Scientific Certification Systems) within the first drop-down menu next to "Certificate Code"

Stakeholder Review

FSC requires certification bodies, under certain circumstances, to solicit stakeholder comments on our clients' Due Diligence Systems and Supply Base Report/Supply Base Report Annex 1. To see a list of current public consultations and participate by providing comments regarding conformity or nonconformity to applicable requirements, please visit our Stakeholder Review page.