Skip to main content

FSC Launches New Chain of Custody Standards

The Forest Stewardship Council's new standards introduce several innovative concepts, including systems for tracking and labeling the quantity of FSC-certified material in products, improved control of wood from uncertified forests, and the first global scheme for identifying and verifying recycled material.

The Forest Stewardship Council has launched new chain of custody standards for manufacturers tracking wood from forest to end product. The standards, approved following a comprehensive three-year review, introduce several innovative concepts, including systems for tracking and labeling the quantity of FSC-certified material in products, improved control of wood from uncertified forests, and the first global scheme for identifying and verifying recycled material.

The four standards were approved by the FSC Board of Directors after the FSC 10th Anniversary Conference in Bonn, Germany. The standards, which apply to wood product manufacturers including sawmills, pulp and paper mills, and furniture factories, can be used for FSC chain of custody certification from October 1, 2004. New FSC labels are expected to arrive on shelves in the next two months.

"This is a breakthrough for the certified forest products industry," said Heiko Liedeker, FSC executive director. "The FSC label assures people they are supporting responsible management of the world's forests when buying FSC certified products. Chain of custody is the system is behind that label." "The unique part of these standards is that, through features like the FSC credit system and specifications for controlling uncertified wood for illegal and other controversial sources, FSC is providing a mechanism for improving forest management practices even in forests that are not FSC certified," Liedeker continued.

Manufacturers currently holding chain of custody certificates will be required to comply with the new standards by January 1, 2007. Companies applying for chain of custody certification will be required to use the new standards from January 1, 2006. New labels will be phased in during late 2004 and early 2005 and become mandatory from July 1, 2005. The approved standards are:
  • FSC chain of custody for companies supplying and manufacturing FSC-certified products (FSC-STD-40-004)
  • FSC standard for non-FSC-certified controlled wood (FSC-STD-40-005)
  • FSC standard for forest management enterprises for non FSC-certified controlled wood (FSC-STD-30-010)
  • FSC on-product label requirements (FSC-STD-40-201).
The standards aim to ensure that, in addition to tracking FSC certified sources, any uncertified material in FSC labeled products comes from controlled sources. The four standards are anticipated to strengthen the integrity of the FSC system and provide customers with clearer options when buying responsible forest products.

Current or applicant FSC chain of custody certificate holders should contact their certification body for questions or clarifications. Further details can be found online.

More on this topic