PEFC Chain of Custody: consultancy, internal audit and training

They are two independent forest certification systems with their own requirements. Many companies choose one or the other depending on what their customers ask for; some certify to both, and the two systems can be integrated.

It depends on what your customers require. Many companies in the paper, packaging and timber industries ask for a PEFC or FSC claim. I can help you work out which suits you.

It depends on the size and starting point of the company. For an industrial SME, implementation takes around 8 weeks of work, from the initial diagnosis to the internal audit. The date of the external audit depends on the certification body.

Not on its own. Certification can support due diligence but does not replace the operator’s obligations.

The certificate is valid for five years, with annual surveillance audits.

It is the international PEFC Chain of Custody standard, “Chain of Custody of Forest and Tree Based Products – Requirements”. It defines how to control certified material and controlled sources, the control methods (physical separation, percentage or credit), identification on sales documents and due diligence.

It is the standard with the PEFC trademark rules. It sets out how to use the PEFC logo and PEFC claims on products and in the organisation’s institutional or corporate communication, including the licence code. I help review labels and promotional material before approval.