FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody Certification
Setting up practical CoC Management Systems for audit compliance.
EUDR applies from 30 December 2026. See what suppliers need to have in place.
A certificate proves you were compliant on the day of the audit. A system is what keeps you compliant for the rest of the year.
Paul Wilson | Founder
The Business Value of FSC & PEFC Chain of Custody
Secure market access
Meet buyer requirements and be eligible for domestic and export markets requiring FSC or PEFC certification.
Strengthen Internal Control
Establish clear procedures and defined responsibilities that improve material control and reduce operational errors.
Demonstrate Responsible Sourcing
Provide clear, documented traceability that meets recognised international standards and audit requirements.
Free: EUDR Readiness Checklist
One page, designed to print. What suppliers need in place before 30 December 2026 — whether you hold PEFC, FSC or neither.
How certification works
The six phases of FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certification, with typical durations.
How certification works
Clear steps, from start to certification
Understand your products, supply chain and what your buyers are asking for. Free, around 45 minutes. Nothing to prepare.
Review your systems against the standard and set out what is missing. One to two weeks. I will need your supplier list, purchase and sales records, and any existing procedures.
Build the 'management system' around how your business actually works. Four to eight weeks, depending on what already exists. I will need access to the people who do the work, not only the managers.
Train your staff, then run a full internal audit to find what breaks before the auditor does. Two to three weeks.
Preparation, attendance where it helps. The audit runs one to two days; minor findings normally carry a three-month closure window.
Non-conformities are addressed and evidence submitted. The certificate is issued. This stage usually takes 3-5 weeks.
Ready to Get Certified?
Let’s simplify your journey to PEFC/FSC compliance.
What is FSC Certification?
FSC Chain of Custody certification proves that you control FSC-certified material from the moment you buy it to the moment you sell it: what comes in, how it is kept track of in production, and what goes out with an FSC claim. It is what lets you put an FSC claim on your products. An independent auditor checks the system every year, and in my experience the businesses that pass easily are the ones whose system matches how the factory actually works.
What is PEFC Certification?
PEFC Chain of Custody certification does the same for material from PEFC-certified forests. PEFC endorses national forest certification schemes, such as IFCC in Indonesia and MTCS in Malaysia, so it is often the more accessible route for Asian supply chains. Many buyers in Europe and Asia accept either scheme, and some require one specifically. Some businesses hold both certificates.