Chain of Custody Certification

Chain-of-custody certification shows that material with a specific attribute (sustainably sourced, recycled, organic, certified) can be traced through the supply chain and that the claimed quantity genuinely exists. It is not a single scheme but the common construct shared by many schemes such as FSC, PEFC, RSPO, ISCC, GRS, RCS and GOTS.

• Manufacturers processing certified raw material
• Brands selling a product carrying a sustainability claim
• Intermediate links carrying out trading, storage and contract processing
• Firms making a content declaration (e.g. 50% recycled)

Voluntary by scheme. However, if a sustainability claim is made on a product, showing its basis is expected under consumer legislation; an unsubstantiated claim can be regarded as a misleading commercial practice.

• The chain-of-custody management system and defined responsibilities
• Verifying certified input and checking supplier certificates
• Choosing the claim method: physical separation, mass balance, or a credit system
• Input-output records and conversion factors
• Volume reconciliation and calculating the claimable quantity
• Showing the claim on sales documents
• Control of outsourced operations and subcontractors
• Logo and claim-use rules
• Record retention and internal audit

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• FSC CoCForest Products
• PEFC CoCForest Products
• ISCC EUBiofuel
• ISCC PLUSCircular/Bio-based
• Biomass Certification
• Biofuel Certification
• RSPOPalm Oil
• Rainforest AllianceSustainable Agriculture