FSC—forest stewardship council

Chain of custody and labelling

To carry the FSC label, a product must be verified as coming from a certified well managed forest. The process of tracking a product back to the tree is called "Chain-of-Custody (COC)" Certification. Through the COC process a forest product is tracked from a tree in the forest through all the steps of processing and production until it reaches the consumers, whether it is a handcrafted chair, maple syrup or a two by four.

Only when the forest product is verified as originating from a certified well managed forest, after the COC evaluation, is it eligible to carry the FSC Trademark. To attain a COC certification, a product producer must demonstrate that certified materials are kept separate from non-certified materials, and that they can be accurately tracked throughout the production process. To seek FSC COC Certification, contact an FSC Accredited Certifier.

The FSC logo enables consumers to identify forest products from well-managed forests independently certified in accordance with the rules of FSC through a system of forest certification and tracking of the FSC trademark. The use of FSC logo has been divided into two separate categories: on-product and off-product.

The primary use of the FSC logo is to identify products originating from certified forests. The logo may be used on the products themselves and on their labeling and packaging. Such uses include product tags, labels, stencils, heat brands, retail packaging for small loose products (such as pencils), protective packaging, plastic wrap, etc.

The FSC logo can be used on-product only by holders of a Chain of Custody (COC) Certificate or Joint Forest Management and COC Certificate. Forest management enterprises that have only a Forest Management Certificate may not use the FSC logo on-product, including use on logs or rough sawn timber.

Off-product use of the FSC logo is intended for promotional and educational purpose. Such uses include brochures, leaflets, company prospectuses and reports, internal company magazines, company training materials, advertising promotions including television commercials and Web pages etc. Individual organizations and companies that do not hold a FSC Chain of Custody Certificate but who want to use the FSC trademark for an off-product use can contact FSC Canada at info@fsccanada.org

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