Documented chain of custody procedures 

Please find below a brief outline of key elements that must normally be covered by your company's written chain of custody procedures.

This is just to provide you with an idea of the kind of preparation that you will need to undertake.

Once you have signed a service agreement with us, we will provide you with access to examples of documented procedures that you can learn from.

The procedure must cover all relevant parts of the standard and should be written. For most companies in the printing and paper trade sector, this means:

• Clear definition on responsibilities for the CoC certification and for each part of the standard
• Training: Training plan and records
• Records: all relevant records must be stored for 5 years. This includes invoices (in- and out-bound), transport documents, training of staff, volume summaries etc.
• Defining the scope: What kind of products will be produced (eg. books, magazines etc) and what kind of certified material will be used ( most often FSC Mixed Credit or FSC Mixed X%, or corresponding PEFC material)
• Supplier validation: Suppliers most hold a valid FSC or PEFC CoC certificate and the paper you receive must be sold to you as certified material.
• Separation of certified paper from non-certified paper
• Volume control: material balance must be kept (ie how much is purchased, how much is used for production, how much is wasted ).
• When selling certified producst, correct infomation must be applied to invoices and transport documents
• Outsourcing
• Use of the FSC and/or PEFC trademarks.