An FSC claim should not be based on a generic supplier certificate alone. First identify the forest-based material, then check the relevant Chain of Custody (CoC), certificate scope, claim type and trademark-use arrangement. A carton, hangtag and finished product may follow different product groups or evidence paths.
1. What FSC Chain of Custody Covers
Chain of Custody controls help identify and trace eligible forest-based material through relevant purchasing, processing and sales activities. An organization needs management controls and records suited to its operations, including identification of FSC material and separation or other controls required for material that is not eligible for the same claim.
A supplier’s FSC certificate does not automatically authorize a buyer’s carton, hangtag or finished product claim. Check the supplier’s certificate status, product classification and scope, and compare them with purchase documents, sales documents and the actual processing route. If a company repacks, transforms or labels products, it should assess whether its own certification or licence arrangement is required.
2. Check the Carton, Hangtag and Product Separately
FSC trademark requirements recognize forest-based packaging as a separate product. The label may refer to the product, the packaging, or both. For one SKU, ask three separate questions:
Carton: record the paper or board supplier, specification, product group and CoC information. Confirm that the packaging itself is within the supplier’s certificate scope. A carton label does not prove that the finished product is covered.
Hangtag: treat a hangtag as another forest-based product. If it is purchased or processed by a different organization, review its source, certificate scope, transaction records and label approval arrangement separately.
Finished product: where the product contains wood, paper or another forest-based material, assess the actual product and supply chain. The evidence and claim for the product may differ from the carton or hangtag; avoid wording that implies the entire product is FSC certified when only its packaging is covered.
3. Certificate Codes, Licence Codes and Transaction Evidence
FSC records commonly include a certificate code and a trademark licence code. They identify different things and should not be substituted for one another. Labels, promotional materials and sales documents may also have different use requirements.
For each SKU, keep a register covering the certificate holder’s legal name; certificate status and codes; certification body; product classification and scope; material suppliers for the carton, hangtag and product; FSC claims on purchase and sales documents; and label or promotional approval records. FSC’s public search database can help check certificate and licence information, but the result still needs to match the actual batch and documents.
4. Writing a More Precise Webpage Claim
State what the claim covers and keep the evidence boundary visible. For example: “The carton uses FSC material supplied within the supplier’s CoC scope; the applicable label and claim follow the approved version.” If only the packaging is supported, do not write that the product itself is FSC certified. A promotional licence should not be presented as product certification or as permission for a company to place an FSC label on a product it did not manufacture.
Do not combine FSC with PPWR, EUDR, CBAM, food-contact, product-safety or platform-review conclusions. FSC primarily addresses forest-based material, chain of custody and trademark or claim use; other laws and buyer requirements need their own scope and evidence review.
5. Six Checks Before Publishing
1. Is the claim about the carton, hangtag, finished product or only a material component?
2. Do the legal entity, CoC status and certificate scope match the supplier and processor?
3. Are certificate codes, trademark licence codes and claim types used in the correct places?
4. Can the purchase, production and sales records explain the material flow?
5. Have the label, hangtag and webpage wording followed the applicable approval arrangement?
6. After a material, supplier, processor, package design or claim changes, has the scope been reassessed?
绿色方舟（深圳）认证有限公司 recommends connecting the product, packaging, hangtag, certificate, transaction records and webpage wording before using an FSC reference or trademark. The applicable claim, label approval and certification conclusion remain subject to current FSC documents, holder records and the independent certification body’s assessment.
