NCCF has adopted PEFC Chain of Custody Certification as part of its certification schemes for forests and trees outside forests. NCCF is a member of PEFC alliance and administers these schemes in India.

The entire flow of wood material from forest to consumer must be monitored and documented to demonstrate its origin. This evidence is known as the Chain of Custody (CoC).

PEFC Chain of Custody Certification provides companies from around the world with independent verified assurance that the certified forest-based material contained in a product originates from sustainably managed forests. It is available worldwide and open to all companies that manufacture, process, trade or sell forest-based products.

In addition, PEFC Due Diligence System (DDS) minimizes risk that timber comes from illegal harvesting and enables companies to demonstrate alignment with regulatory requirements (e.g. EUTR). The PEFC DDS is an integral part of PEFC CoC certification.

The proof of traceability

Standards

Chain of Custody, PEFC ST 2002

This standard lays out the requirements for chain of custody certification for forest and tree based products – the conditions a company must meet in order to achieve PEFC certification. During the certification process, the certification body will assess the company against the requirements set out in this document. If the company complies, they will receive their PEFC chain of custody certificate. Read the 2020 standard here.

The revised 2020 version of this standard replaced the previous 2013 version on 14 February 2020. The transition date is 14 February 2022. After this, companies still certified against the 2013 version will need to prepare their system according to the 2020 version, in preparation for certification against this version during their next external audit.

Find the old standard version here and a document covering the changes introduced.

PEFC Trademarks Rules, PEFC ST 2001

he standard covers the requirements that entities must follow when using the PEFC trademarks, in order to ensure accurate, verifiable, relevant and non-misleading use of the PEFC logo and related claims. It defines the legal protection of the PEFC trademarks; rights to use them; trademarks usage categories and the requirements for on- and off-product usage. Read the 2020 standard here.

All entities, including PEFC-certified companies and forest owners, brand owners, NGOs and PEFC members, most follow these requirements whenever using the PEFC trademarks.

The revised 2020 version of this standard replaced the previous 2008 version on 14 February 2020. For organizations with a PEFC logo licence issued before the publication of this latest document, a 24 month transition period applies. The transition date is 14 February 2022. Find the old standard version here and a document covering the changes introduced.

Requirements for Certification Bodies providing Chain of Custody Certification, PEFC ST 2003

This standard describes the requirements certification bodies must comply with in order to provide chain of custody certification, in addition to the accreditation requirements. It provides system specific requirements and ensures that chain of custody audits take place consistently worldwide and are tailored to the specification of each PEFC chain of custody. Read the 2020 standard here.

The revised 2020 version of this standard replaced the previous 2012 version on 14 February 2020. Certification bodies operating chain of custody certification against PEFC ST 2002 have until 14 February 2022 to transition to the latest standard.

Find the old standard version here and a document covering the changes introduced.

Related Documents

• How to become PEFC certified
• The business benefits of PEFC certification
• Why labels matter: the business case for using the PEFC label
• Furniture manufacturing and certification: how your business benefits from PEFC
• Project Chain of Custody Certification: An Introduction