Steps towards CoC certification

To become holders of FSC CoC certification, companies must comply with the requirements of one or more applicable CoC standards defined by the FSC. Once the company's production processes are adjusted, it is evaluated (audit) by the independent certification body to determine compliance with applicable standards.

Before gaining the FSC certificate, a company must also sign a Policy for Assocation with FSC.

DOWNLOAD THE RELEVANT STANDARD(S)

Standard FSC-STD-40-004 Chain of Custody Certification is a normative standard for companies wishing to be certified. Additional standard FSC-STD-40-004a shows the correct way of identification and systematic division of certified products.

To access the Database of FSC standards, click on the link "Document Center". All official FSC standards are available in English and Spanish.

Standard FSC-STD-40-004 is also available in Croatian and Serbian languages, noting that in case of discrepancies between the translation of the standard and the original English version, the English version is considered correct.

See the translated standards

IF NECESSARY, CONTACT A QUALIFIED CONSULTANT

To contribute to the integrity and quality of the system, FSC Adria-Balkan Region promotes certification consultancy services offered by qualified consultants. Trained consultants can, if necessary, help you prepare for the audit. All the consultants published on our website have taken the same training.

See the list of trained consultants

CHOOSE AN ACCREDITED CERTIFICATION BODY AND SUBMIT A CERTIFICATION APPLICATION

Certification body will ask you to provide some basic information about your company's management system and the scope of the FSC certification in order to compile a plan and an estimate of the costs associated with the audit activities. Below you will find a list of accredited certification bodies operating in the Adria-Balkan Region.

See the list of certification bodies

COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD

A company must prepare itself for the inspection visit of the certification body. It must implement an FSC system with procedures that comply with the requirements set out in the standard used. (Depending on the structure of the organisation and production processes, it may be necessary or useful to refer to additional standards: FSC-STD-50-001, FSC-STD-40-003, FSC-STD-40-007 and FSC-STD- 40-005)

You can find additional standards by clicking on the link "Document Center".

SUPPORT AN ON-SITE AUDIT BY YOUR CHOSEN CERTIFICATION BODY

Companies wishing to become certified must undergo an audit. An audit report is then produced, based on which the certification body makes a decision. Furthermore, certified companies must undergo an annual supervisory audits and, at the end of the five-year period, an audit to renew the certificate.

GAIN CERTIFICATION APPROVAL

Following a positive certification decision, a company receives an FSC certificate and unique FSC certificate and license codes. From this point it is possible to sell FSC-certified products and use FSC trademarks to promote company's efforts towards responsible sourcing of forest materials with their clients.