Revision of FSC Chain of Custody Standards
FSC is currently undertaking a joint revision process to revise the following chain of custody standards (and associated procedures):
- FSC-STD-40-004 Chain of Custody Certification
- FSC-STD-40-007 Sourcing reclaimed material for use in FSC Product Groups or FSC Certified Projects
- FSC-STD-40-003 Chain of Custody Certification of Multiple Sites
- FSC-PRO-40-003 Development of National Group Chain of Custody Eligibility Criteria
- FSC-STD-20-011 Chain of Custody Evaluations
Conducting a joint revision of these normative documents helps streamline Chain of Custody requirements and would result in a one-off transition for the certificate holders and certification bodies.
Current Status of Revision: Consultation open 15 May to 15 June 2026
From 15 May 2026 to 15 June 2026, we are seeking feedback on the second draft of the revised CoC standards (FSC-STD-40-004 V4-0 D2-0 and FSC-STD-20-011 V4-4 D2-0). This is the last opportunity to share your views and shape the future of FSC’s CoC standards!
Stakeholders can participate in the consultation in English or Spanish or French.
On Tuesday 19 May 2026 16:00 – 17:30 CET, FSC International will host a webinar in English, with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and French. Please register to attend (Meeting Registration – Zoom). This session will be recorded.
On Tuesday 2 June 2026 09:00 – 10:30 CET, FSC International will conduct a Q&A session in English, with simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and French. We will focus on responding to questions submitted in advance. This session will be recorded. Please register to attend and submit your questions in advance via the links below.
Questions? Contact chainofcustody@fsc.org.
For more information about the revision process and timeline, please visit the process page.
Draft 2 of Revised Standards for Current Consultation (15 May - 15 June 2026)
FSC-STD-20-011_V4-4_D2-0_ES_Requisitos específicos para entidades de certificación – Cadena de Custodia.pdf
Other Supporting Materials for Current Consultation (15 May - 15 June 2026)
Supporting Materials and Draft 1 of Revised Standards from Previous Consultation (15 Nov 2025 - 25 Jan 2026)
FSC-STD-20-011_V4-4_D1-0_FR_EXIGENCES_SPECIFIQUES_APPLICABLES_AUX_ORGANISMES_DE_CERTIFICATION_EN_MATIERE_DE_CHAINE_DE_CONTROLE.pdf
FSC-STD-20-011_V4-4_D1-0_ES_REQUISITOS_ESPECFICOS_PARA_LAS_ENTIDADES_DE_CERTIFICACIN_-_CADENA_DE_CUSTODIA.pdf
The 'why'
The key intended outcomes of the broader revision process are:
- the enhancement of risk-based approaches, which contemplate various dimensions of risk (e.g. activity, product type, geographical locations and species);
- revised requirements which address identified challenges for SMEs for maintenance and implementation of CoC requirements;
- the streamlining of CoC requirements, so they are concise, relevant and implementable by all stakeholders; and
- the alignment of CoC requirements with other FSC requirements and relevant legislation to support system integrity and maintain value of certification for stakeholders.
Background Material
For background on the CoC Consultation, you can access the below files relating to:
- the Terms of Reference;
- the Working Group Structure;
- the consultation on the conceptual phase (16 August 2024 - 15 October 2024); and
- review reports.