Forest Products (PEFC CoC) Certification

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is an umbrella scheme that mutually recognises national forest certification systems. This is its structural difference from FSC: instead of imposing its own single standard, PEFC endorses national systems. The chain-of-custody certificate ensures the material's origin from PEFC-endorsed sources can be traced through the chain.

• Manufacturers processing wood and forest products
• Paper and packaging manufacturers
• Printing firms
• Those sourcing from European regions where national forest certification is common

Voluntary. Public procurement and retail chains' sustainable-sourcing policies may require a PEFC or FSC certificate; many buyers treat the two as equivalent.

• The chain-of-custody management system and documentation
• Verifying the source of the material and defining PEFC-endorsed input
• Claim methods: physical separation and the percentage-based method
• Input-output records and volume reconciliation
• The due-diligence system: excluding controversial sources
• Showing the PEFC claim on sales documents
• Logo-use rules
• Control of outsourced operations
• Health, safety and worker-rights requirements

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
• Chain of Custody
• ISCC EUBiofuel
• ISCC PLUSCircular/Bio-based
• Biomass Certification
• Biofuel Certification
• RSPOPalm Oil
• Rainforest AllianceSustainable Agriculture