Why do FSC labels show a “Chain of Custody” code?

Before companies are allowed to produce, sell and label FSC-certified products, they need to prove to fully comply with FSC requirements in an initial evaluation followed by at least annual monitoring audits. Only FSC-accredited certification body can evaluate, monitor and certify companies to FSC standards. Once a company is certified, it obtains an FSC “Chain of Custody” code which they have to use for all activities related to sale and labeling of FSC-certified products.

The consistent use of the Chain of Custody code in all sale documents and labels ensures that FSC-certified materials can be tracked back through the production process to the respective suppliers. Ultimately this allows traceability of FSC products through the supply chain.

Can I find out from which FSC-certified forest materials for a FSC labeled product comes from?

In theory the FSC system is set up in such a way that it allows identifying from which forest the material for a given product comes from. This, however, becomes increasingly difficult as products and production processes increase in complexity. In the modern, global economy, many different materials are mixed and merged together, This means that depending of how much materials were mixed together, in the end a single FSC product may contain material from three, five or more FSC certified forests.

What does the FSC ‘Mixed Sources’ label stand for?

The wood used to produce FSC certified products with a ‘Mixed Sources’ label comes from FSC certified well-managed forests, controlled sources and/or recycled material.

Is there a minimum content of FSC input in products labeled as FSC ‘Mixed Sources’ required?

The proportion of FSC-certified and recycled material used in the production must be at least 70% to qualify for the FSC ‘Mixed Sources’ label. This means that if a manufacturer produces 100 chairs and has FSC-certified and recycled material for 70 chairs, then all the chairs can carry the FSC ‘Mixed Sources’ label.

If a manufacturer uses less than 70% FSC-certified and recycled material, but a minimum of 10% FSC-certified and recycled material it is only allowed, to label a proportion of the production which is equivalent to the proportion of FSC certified and recycled input used in the production. For example, if a manufacturer produces 100 chairs, but only has FSC-certified and recycled material for 30 chairs, then only 30 chairs can carry the FSC ‘Mixed Sources’ label.

What are ‘other controlled sources’?

FSC has developed tools that help FSC certified companies to avoid wood produced in socially and environmentally damaging ways. It specifically helps manufacturers and traders to avoid wood that has been: 1. Illegally harvested 2. Harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights 3. Harvested in forests that have been identified to be of particular biological and/or cultural value 4. Harvested from conversion of natural forest (or other natural habitat) 5. Harvested from genetically modified trees

Why does the FSC ‘Mixed Sources’ label refer to ‘product group’ and not just ‘product’?

‘Product group’ is the technical term. It refers to products with the same input including same proportion of FSC certified and non-certified material. A specific type of garden chair would be an example of a product. Different lines of garden chairs made of the same material are examples for a ‘product group’.

Where can I read more about the technical requirements for materials to be used and mixed in an FSC-certified product?

FSC standards relevant for chain of custody requirements include the following documents:

• FSC-STD-40-004: “FSC Chain of Custody standard for companies supplying and manufacturing FSC-certified products”
The standard specifies the management and production requirements for companies with respect to sourcing, identification, segregation, mixing (where applicable) and sale of products as FSC-certified.

• “FSC-STD-40-005: FSC Standard for Company Evaluation of FSC Controlled Wood”
The standard includes the requirements for companies who want to use material from non FSC-certified forests in the production of FSC-certified materials.

• “FSC-STD-40-201: FSC On-product Labelling Requirements”
The standard specifies the requirements for the correct use of the FSC label on-product.

• “FSC-TMK-50-201:”FSC Requirements for the Promotional Use of the FSC Trademarks by FSC Certificate Holders and Non-certified Commercial Organizations”
These requirements apply to organizations using the FSC logo for promotional purposes.

• FSC Accreditation Manual, Part 3.6: “FSC Chain of Custody Principles”
The standard specifies the management and production requirements for companies with respect to sourcing, identification, segregation, and sale of products as FSC-certified.

• “FSC-POL-40-001: FSC Policy on Percentage Based Claims”
The policy describes the minimum percentages required for mixtures of FSC-certified and other materials in the production of solid wood, assembled products, and chip & fibre products.

All documents are available from the FSC Documents Center under: www.fsc.org

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