What does FSC Chain of Custody cover?
FSC Chain of Custody controls how eligible forest-based materials and claims move through a business. Purchasing, processing and sales records must support the chosen control system and the claims made about outputs.
Who it is for
Organizations handling forest-based products and making FSC sourcing claims.
Key areas to understand
Start with these areas. Identify which requirements apply to your activities and who is responsible for them.
- 1Check supplier eligibility and incoming material claims.
- 2Apply the relevant material accounting and identification controls.
- 3Control sales claims and trademark use.
Evidence to prepare
This list is a starting point. Check the standard for all required documents. For each item, record who is responsible, the activity or site it relates to, and a recent example showing how it works.
- Supplier checks and purchase claims
- Product groups and control-system records
- Material inputs, outputs and conversion factors
- Sales documents with applicable claims
- Trademark approvals and internal checks
Keep records that explain what was checked, which requirement was used and who checked it. Include any action taken when a requirement was not met. Link each record to the work it supports.
An internal audit example
Suggested checks from 4Auditee
Choose an invoice carrying an FSC claim. Work backwards to the material inputs and accounting records supporting it. Include process losses and outsourced steps, and check that the outgoing claim is consistent with the control system used.
Choose a sample that suits your activities and risks. If you find a gap, record the requirement, the evidence and what was missing. Check more examples if the first results suggest a wider problem.
A common problem to check
Buying some certified material does not justify a claim on every output. Reconcile claims with the applicable accounting and eligibility rules.
Prepare for assessment
The assessment type for this guide is chain-of-custody certification. Confirm the requirements, what will be assessed and how the assessment will work with the responsible body or customer. These steps help you prepare. You must also follow the scheme’s official rules.
- Define what is covered. List the products, services, activities and sites. Record the standard edition, additional scheme rules and customer requirements.
- Find what is missing. Compare the requirements with current work. Prioritise gaps by risk. Assign someone responsible and a completion date.
- Keep records of everyday work. Check a sample of actual records and speak with the people involved. Make sure they understand their responsibilities.
- Check the results. Complete internal reviews and audits. Check that corrective actions worked before closing problems.
From one site to many
Make it easy to find who is responsible at each site. Keep company policies separate from records of local work. Link each site’s records to its activities, risks and requirements so you can spot gaps at individual sites.
Sites that share a management system do not automatically qualify for one certificate or assessment. Confirm which sites can be included and how they will be checked with the assessment body.
About this guide and its sources
4Auditee wrote this guide using the public source below. The evidence list, audit example and preparation steps are our suggestions. Read the official standard and scheme rules for the full requirements. This guide does not include the standard’s full text or provide certification.
DNV: FSC Chain of Custody reference information