FSC Certification

FSC® Chain of Custody Certification

FSC CoC Audit Checklist

Prepare your organization for FSC Chain of Custody Certification through a comprehensive self-assessment covering management, sourcing, material segregation, documentation and trademark compliance.

Audit Overview
Modules 4
Total Audit Checks 11+
Certification FSC CoC
Estimated Time 20 Minutes

Audit Modules

Complete each module to evaluate your organization's FSC readiness.

Module 1

CoC Management System & Responsibilities

Before looking at wood or paper, auditors first evaluate your company's management system, documentation and overall corporate infrastructure.

Importance

Critical

Foundation of Certification

Designated FSC Coordinator

A specific staff member is formally appointed in writing to oversee FSC compliance, implementation and training.

Written Procedures

Maintain documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) covering purchasing, production and shipping.

Training Logs

Maintain evidence that purchasing, warehouse and production personnel have received FSC training within the last 12 months.

Record Retention

Store purchase invoices, shipping documents and volume summaries securely for a minimum of five years.

Module 2

Sourcing & Material Verification

You cannot sell FSC-certified products unless you can prove your raw materials originate from certified FSC suppliers.

Risk Level

High

Supplier Verification Required

Supplier Validation

Verify every supplier using the official FSC database to ensure certificates remain valid.

Source:
info.fsc.org
Invoice Verification

Purchase invoices must clearly display FSC Claims together with the supplier's CoC Certificate Code.

  • FSC Mix 70%
  • FSC Recycled
  • FSC 100%
  • Supplier CoC Code
Volume Control Ledger

Maintain a live spreadsheet tracking incoming material, production usage, inventory and finished goods sold.

Received Used Sold
FSC Golden Rule

Never Mix Certified & Uncertified Material

If certified timber comes into contact with uncertified and untracked timber during storage or production, it immediately loses its FSC-certified status.

Module 3

Material Handling & Segregation

Auditors inspect the production floor to verify that FSC-certified materials remain completely traceable throughout receiving, storage and manufacturing.

Factory Inspection

Physical Audit

Warehouse & Production Verification

Physical Segregation

Certified materials must remain physically separated from uncertified materials inside the warehouse.

  • ✓ Green Storage Racks
  • ✓ Marked Pallets
  • ✓ Dedicated Warehouse Zones
  • ✓ Visual Identification Labels

Production Run Isolation

Every production batch using FSC material must be clearly identified throughout manufacturing.

Job Card
Production Sheet
Finished Batch
Module 4

Sales, Outgoing Documentation & Trademark Use

The final audit stage verifies that every FSC claim issued to customers is accurate and supported by approved documentation.

Audit Focus

Customer Verification

Documentation & Trademark Compliance

Correct Invoice Outputs

Sales invoices and shipping documents must contain accurate FSC claims and your FSC Chain of Custody Certificate Code.

✓ FSC Product Group Claim

✓ CoC Certificate Code

✓ Shipping Reference

✓ Customer Documentation

Trademark Approvals

Every FSC logo used on packaging, brochures, catalogues or websites must receive prior approval.

Packaging Website Flyers Product Labels Marketing Material

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