FSC® CoC Certification – What Is It and Who Needs It?

*Within the Quality Austria Group, this certification is carried out by Quality Austria-Polska (see below for further information).

In many industries related to wood, paper, or products made from them, supply chain transparency and proof of responsible raw material sourcing are becoming increasingly important. FSC® Chain of Custody (CoC) certification enables companies to demonstrate that products containing wood or wood-based materials come from controlled sources.

What does FSC® CoC certification entail?

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) offers one of the best-known standards for responsible forest management and defines rules for controlling the flow of materials throughout the entire supply chain. FSC® CoC certification involves assessing the systems and processes within an organization that aim to ensure the traceability of materials at every stage of production and distribution.

In practice, this means, among other things:

• Verifying the origin of raw materials
• Separating certified and non-certified materials
• Maintaining appropriate documentation and records
• Ensuring compliance with the requirements of the FSC® standards.

The FSC® CoC certificate is recognized in international markets and is often a prerequisite for collaboration with business partners.

Which industries is FSC® certification intended for?

FSC® CoC certification is used in many industries, particularly:

• the timber and sawmill industry
• furniture manufacturing
• the paper and packaging industry
• the trade in timber and wood products
• the production of printed materials and paper products

In practice, any organization that processes wood or paper products, trades in wood, or markets wood products may be subject to the requirements of FSC® CoC certification.

The Significance of FSC®

FSC® CoC certification helps organizations:

• meet the requirements of customers and business partners
• build credibility regarding responsible raw material sourcing
• strengthen their brand image in the context of sustainable development

Quality Austria-Polska – Accredited Certification Body for FSC® CoC

Quality Austria-Polska is part of the Quality Austria Group and provides certification services in the Polish and Ukrainian markets.

In the area of FSC® Chain of Custody (CoC), Quality Austria-Polska operates as an independent certification body with its own accreditation from Assurance Services International (ASI-ACC-108, valid until September 30, 2024).

Europe-wide experience across the supply chain

Quality Austria-Polska has experience conducting FSC CoC audits for organizations operating in various segments of the supply chain—from wood processing to the manufacture of finished products.

As an accredited certification body, Quality Austria-Polska conducts FSC CoC audits for companies operating in various European markets, ensuring compliance with international requirements and a transparent certification process.