Chain of Custody Certification

What is Chain-of-Custody Certification?

The chain-of-custody is the path which products take from the forest to the consumer, including all manufacturing, transformation and distribution links.

Chain-of-custody certification verifies that products from certified forests are not mixed with products from uncertified forests at any point in the supply chain.

Chain-of-custody certification assures your buyers and customers that the certified goods they buy are genuinely the products of a well-managed forest.

A secure chain-of-custody requires that certified products are identified, segregated and accompanied by appropriate documentation at all stages.

What is needed for Chain-of-Custody Certification?
During an assessment for a chain-of-custody certification the QUALIFOR assessors visit each site (see more) where products are manufactured, transformed, or distributed. At each point they check:

1. Product identification

• All products from certified forests are clearly marked as such.
• There are documented procedures to control the marking of certified products.

2. Product segregation

• All products from certified forests are segregated from other products.

3. Records

• Records are maintained relating to purchase, delivery, shipment, receipt, forwarding and invoicing of certified products.
• Documented procedures exist to control the record-keeping process.

Need more information on Chain-of-Custody Certification?
The following document contains more detailed information about the certification process . In order to view the document you will need Adobe Acrobat reader available from Adobe.

Please click here to view Chain of Custody Certificates.