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FSC Trace

FSC Trace is a pivotal digital platform in fulfilling FSC's commitment to assisting licence holders in due diligence and complying with evolving regulations globally. 

Soon accessible to all certificate holders!
FSC Trace
FSC Trace

Quick introduction

Learn more about the new platform and how it can support you on your way towards EUDR compliance.

  • What is FSC Trace?

    FSC Trace is a brand new platform developed to assist license holders by: 

    • Verifying the certification status of suppliers at the point of transaction. 
    • Generating verified and traceable claims regarding products traded between themselves and trading partners. 
    • Passing relevant data about the raw materials comprising FSC-certified products, including information such as geo-location of origin, time of harvest, species, product groups, and other essential data points. 

     

  • What is blockchain?

    FSC Trace is build on the blockchain technology - an innovative digital technology that keeps a secure record of transactions. It helps trading partners reach an agreement on transaction details like volume, product, and species. Once a transaction is on the blockchain, it cannot be edited or deleted without a record of the change being recorded, ensuring a robust audit trail.  

    And perhaps most importantly; in FSC our blockchain will act as a secure platform for trading partners to exchange data while protecting confidential information throughout the supply chain.

  • How much does the FSC Trace cost?

    FSC does not charge any additional fee to certificate holders wishing to use the basic features of the new FSC Trace platform. 

Beta access

Soon accessible to all certificate holders

FSC Trace is currently in Beta mode, undergoing rigorous testing within select pilot supply chains. The aim is to refine and optimize its functionality based on real-world scenarios and user feedback. 

We anticipate opening the platform for all certificate holders on a voluntary basis from Q3 2024. Additional functionality like specialized reporting for EUDR and connection to FSC Risk Hub is anticipated to launch in Q4 2024. 

This phased approach allows us to ensure a smooth transition, fostering collaboration and feedback from diverse stakeholders within the FSC community. 

Get started today

Many FSC Licence holders are eager to prepare for FSC Trace, even though the platform has not been released yet. There are a few decisive actions you can take today to make sure your business is ready once the FSC Trace is released. 

step
01

Engage your trading partners

To ensure good understanding and uptake of the new FSC solutions, it is important to engage both your downstream and your upstream value chain FSC-certified trading partners. Let them know about your intention to use the new FSC Trace platform and how this involves them too. 

The platform is designed to be accessible for companies of all sizes, including those with limited technical resources. It offers user-friendly options for transaction management.

step
02

Become data ready

FSC has made available data upload templates for bulk data entry. By exploring these templates now, FSC Licence holders can start identifying the most effective ways to configure products on FSC Trace, identify trading partners, and gather information about purchases, manufacturing, and sales in preparation for FSC Trace.

Download
step
03

Follow our webinars

The series of reoccurring webinars is designed for FSC licence holders seeking clear, practical information about FSC Trace. It will cover topics like: 

  • Introduction to FSC Trace: Learn the reasons behind integrating blockchain into our systems. 
  • Platform Details: Gain an understanding of what FSC Trace is and its functionalities. 
  • Who Can Use It: Discover who can access the platform and the advantages it offers. 
  • Data Fields and Security Measures: Receive information on the types of data included and our approach to data security. 
  • Pilot and Rollout Plan: Get updates on the current pilot phases and the planned implementation for all licence holders. 

Have a look at our latest FSC Trace webinar in English below:

 

Register

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can blockchain support integrity in FSC supply chains?

    FSC Trace is a private user-managed digital ledger designed to validate materials’ trade compliance across FSC supply chains. We employ a private consortium blockchain, which, unlike public blockchains used in cryptocurrencies, allows for access restrictions and enables participants to control which data they choose to share with whom.In traditional forest supply chains, paper documentation can lead to fraud, simply because it can be difficult to verify and audit. Blockchain enhances compliance and traceability, by replacing paper-based claims with secure technology, where changes will always leave a digital trail, making it much easier to complete robust auditing. 

  2. Does FSC Trace only cover timber and paper materials?

    No. FSC Trace provides traceability for all forest-based products that FSC certifies, including timber, paper and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) like rubber, bamboo or honey.

  3. Who can join FSC Trace?

    Once rolled out, FSC Trace will be open to FSC certificate holders who have a FSC certificate or promotional licence agreement.

  4. Can I use FSC Trace for my non-certified products as well?

    FSC Trace is designed exclusively for trading products with FSC claims. It cannot be used for non-certified products at this time. (It can be used for FSC Controlled Wood.)

  5. Will use of FSC Trace be mandatory?

    Joining the platform will be entirely voluntary, offering certificate holders the flexibility to integrate FSC Trace seamlessly into their operations. 

  6. If using FSC Trace is voluntary, does it still have value if my entire value chain does not join?

    Absolutely, FSC Trace offers significant value even if only your company is participating. It facilitates the verification of your suppliers' certification status, eliminating the need for manual monitoring on search.fsc.org. Additionally, if you input all your trade data into the blockchain, it will automatically generate species lists, product group lists, and volume summaries. The full potential, especially regarding compliance with regulations like the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), is realized when the entire supply chain participates. This enables the seamless transfer of crucial data such as geolocation and time of harvest throughout the supply chain. 

  7. What is the cost associated with participating in FSC Trace?

    The platform is free for FSC certificate holders. Access to the basic functionality is included within the existing fees paid by FSC licence holders. We may add paid premium features in the future. We are also looking into interoperability with other platforms. There may be additional fees to help cover our costs of providing this technology. 

You also may be interested in
EUDR
FSC Trace (fsc.org)