Why implement the Chain of Custody Standards? – Opportunity and Challenges

The public, consumer groups, and the marketplace are increasingly concerned about sustainable management of the world’s forests for protection of non-fiber values, such as indigenous rights, water, wildlife, carbon sequestration, social benefits and more. This drives demand for forest products originating from certified forests. Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification and labels indicate to buyers along the supply chain and consumers that their wood / wood fiber product purchase is legally and responsibly sourced.

When considering the implementation of a CoC standard, there are three main options: Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Forest Stewardship Council^® (FSC^® A000519), and Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC). This document is a high level comparison of these three standards.