FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)

The FSC Chain of Custody is an information trail about the path taken by products from the forest or, in the case of recycled materials, from the reclamation site to the consumer including each stage of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution where progress to the next stage of the supply chain involves a chain of ownership.
"The main reason for FSC was primarily my wanting to make sure we complied with all current legislation, secondly to increase to quality of our companies so that customers and potential customers can identify with us and thirdly the WAG tender."

Craig Powell, General Manager, Powell Office Furniture, Cardiff.
The FSC Standard ensures a management system is in place to provide a credible guarantee to customers that products sold with a FSC
certificate code are originating from well managed forests, controlled sources, reclaimed materials or a mixture of these.

By achieving the requirements of FSC, companies can demonstrate they are not contributing to global forest destruction. FSC products are managed to ensure sustainability of long term supplies while protecting the environment.

Summary of the FSC Standard

The Standard defines and addresses the following basic elements of a Chain of Custody management system:
  • Quality Management (including Responsibilities, Procedures and Records)
  • Product Scope
  • Material Sourcing
  • Material Receipt and Storage
  • Production Control
  • Sales and Delivery
  • Labelling

FSC Summary of Requirements

  • There must be a nominated person to ensure compliance with the Standard.
  • There must be documented procedures showing how critical control points are addressed.
  • Staff must receive adequate training and records must be kept.
  • There must be records for production, purchase, sales, training records etc. for at least 5 years. 
  • There must be an up to date list of product groups covered by the scope of the Chain of Custody. The organisation must specify which of three available systems is used for making FSC claims for each product group: Transfer system, Percentage system or Credit system.

PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes)

Consumers in growing numbers are seeking evidence of environmentally sound business practices and demand reassurance and proof from forest based industries that the wood they use comes from sustainably managed sources. This Standard provides such a mechanism.

PEFC Summary of Requirements

  • The organisation shall operate a management system which ensures implementation and maintenance of the secure chain of custody. 
  • There must be a nominated person to ensure compliance with the Standard.
  • There must be documented procedures showing how the chain of custody is maintained.
  • Senior management shall carry out regular review of the chain of custody and its compliance with the standard.
  • The responsibilities of key personnel identified to carry out work relating to the maintenance of the chain of custody shall be identified.
  • Staff must receive adequate training and records must be kept.
  • There must be records for production, purchase, sales, training records, internal audits etc. for at least 5 years.
  • Adequate technical facilities shall be identified, provided and maintained.

Implementation

By implementing the requirements of FSC and PEFC, we will ensure you meet the requirements of:

Penarth Management commits itself to assist the company from the start of work to the day of the assessment and beyond. Penarth Management currently have several experienced consultants who have taken clients through FSC and PEFC certification.