Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) chain of custody (CoC) is a certification program for international traceability of forest products. PEFC recognizes both national and international regulations for forest products in the supply chain, ensuring the link back to certified sustainable forests under PEFC-endorsed national forest management standards. PEFC endorses national forest management standards in more than 48 countries worldwide and has chain of custody certificate holders in more than 70 countries.
SCS provides the independent third-party audit to forest product manufacturers that want to achieve PEFC certification. Certification helps organizations to expand market access internationally for certified products, and it enables them to demonstrate sourcing of products that support responsible environmental, social, and economic practices.
To get certified, organizations will undergo an audit to review procedures and documentation for tracking certified material, including a site visit to tour facilities and interview key staff. If conformance to the PEFC CoC Standard is met, companies are issued a certificate and given the trademarks for on-product and off-product promotions. PEFC Certification also contributes to LEED® for building products.