Consultation: Revision of FSC’s Chain of Custody Standards 

FSC is revising its Chain of Custody (CoC) standards to:

• make them clearer, more practical, and better aligned with current needs;

• update certain requirements to reflect technological advances in addressing integrity issues; and

• improve consistency in how different types of certification bodies handle CoC certification.

We’ve now developed two draft revised standards:

• FSC-STD-40-004 V4-0: Chain of Custody Certification

• FSC-STD-20-011 V4-4: Specific requirements for Certification Bodies – Chain of Custody

These drafts reflect feedback collected from the conceptual phase consultation and inputs received from all stakeholders during other engagements. To improve the drafts, we would like to hear from you to ensure these revisions address the needs of all stakeholders.

For more information on the purpose of the revision and the history of this process, please visit the process page and the revision page.

This consultation is open until 25 January 2026. We encourage you to visit the consultation platform, download and review the draft standards and associated materials, and provide your feedback on all the areas that interest you. Key topics we seek your feedback on:

On chain of custody certification (FSC-STD-40-004):

• FSC Claims
• Group and multisite certification requirements;
• Reclaimed material;
• Leasing and take-back;
• False claims;
• Core Labour Requirements; and
• Outsourcing.  

On chain of custody evaluation requirements (FSC-STD-20-011):

• Evaluation of contractors;
• New methodology for evaluation of Core Labour Requirements; and
• Remote audit

Review the handout on how to participate in the consultation and tips on providing feedback to maximize your participation impact.