PEFC Chain of Custody certification

Key steps 

To begin your process and receive a service quote, fill in our service request form or contact us.  

	Scope of your certificate: We will help you identify the scope of the certificate you need. Once you have accepted our offer, we will assign a contact person for your organisation.
	Prepare for certification: You develop company-specific CoC procedures and instruct all relevant staff.
	On-site audit: When you are ready, we conduct an on-site assessment to check your compliance with the PEFC CoC requirements. This is done through document reviews and staff interviews.
	Draft report: We elaborate a formal report which is reviewed by one of our senior experts and submitted to you for comments prior to its completion.
	Certification: Based on a positive outcome, we issue your PEFC certificate.

A PEFC Chain of Custody certificate is valid for five years. Annual audits during the validity period are required to maintain certification. Once the validity period ends, you will need to undergo a re-assessment to renew your certificate.

The scope of your certificate

We can help you identify the type and scope of certification that best matches your needs. Below are some of the choices regarding the scope of a PEFC Chain of Custody certificate.

• Traceability system: You need to choose between three main systems used for PEFC chain of custody certification: The physical separation method, the percentage based method or the credit method. This is closely linked to your processes, in particular whether you will need to mix certified with non-certified, eligible material or not. You may need to select more than one system, depending on the complexity of your production and trade.

• Controlled Sources (DDS): Controlled Sources is a system for using a Due Diligence System to determine that there is negligible risk that material is from controversial sources. The material that is covered by this DDS is considered Controlled Sources and is an eligible material category to be mixed with PEFC certified material in products that are provided with a PEFC claim.

• Multi-site certification is particularly well-suited for organisations operating multiple sites, and for small-sized companies.
  Larger/complex organisations operating several facilities are required to set up a robust internal auditing system and you assign a “central office” to manage your multi-site certificate. This reduces the requirements for external auditing and can reduce costs.
  Small enterprises may wish to join a Producer Group sharing a certificate, to save resources on certification. Note: only companies below a certain size are eligible to join a Producer Group. 

• Project certification can be used to cover a construction or renovation project, ship-building projects and one-off production of a specific product. Project certification permits the project manager to make promotional claims about PEFC-certified input used for the project.

Our credentials

• Expertise. We are forestry certification specialists with over 25 years of auditing experience.
• Streamlined customer service. We keep you up to speed with the rapidly evolving certification requirements. We take a holistic view of client service and seek to give you the best experience throughout all your interactions with us.
• Industry insight. We service certified enterprises of all sizes and from all business sectors along the timber supply chain. Whatever your line of business and company set-up, we possess insight into the specific options and challenges that apply to your organisation.  
• Local presence, global reach. With staff located in over 40 countries across Europe, America, Russia, Africa, Oceania and Asia and backed by an extensive global network of experts, we cater to companies worldwide.  

Additional value of engaging with us

• Wide service choice. If you are just looking for an PEFC service provider, rest assured that we will meet your expectations. However, we have much more in store for you, should you find that you need it. For example, we can deliver dual FSC and PEFC certification, and we can help you meet the EU Timber Regulation and cut your carbon emissions. 

Five benefits of PEFC chain of custody certification