What is Chain of Custody Certification as it pertains to the Forest Stewardship Council?
Chain of Custody (COC) certification is a way of tracking paper throughout its life cycle, from the forest to the point of sale. COC Certification is available for any operation that processed cut wood, such as sawmills, secondary manufacturers, broker/distributors, wholesalers, retailers, printers, paper merchants and other points in the supply chain. As stated on the FSC Website, any FSC-labeled product can be traced back to a certified source. This aspect of the system is the basis for any credible certification system and is the link between consumer preference and responsible, on-the-ground forest management. Companies managing the forests mush show they are harvesting fiber and managing their resources so as to preserve the environment, protect biodiversity, and ensure the responsible treatment of employees and indigenous peoples. For paper distributors and merchants, FSC COC Certification requires a comprehensive documentation control system to track FSC Certified paper from the
