Mass Reconciliation
Verification procedures in chain-of-custody systems compare the total volume of certified material entering a production facility against the volume of finished product leaving it during a defined period. A batch balance audit tracks these physical quantities to ensure that no uncertified fiber is credited as certified stock. The process relies on production recipes and yield calculations to account for waste.
Audit Protocol
Standard verification steps demand that auditors inspect purchase orders and delivery notes over a specified time block. When the batch balance audit occurs, the auditor matches input invoices with output sales receipts to confirm that certified claims do not exceed the volume of incoming certified pulp. This prevents false claims on paperboard packaging and maintains the integrity of environmental labels.
The examination includes a review of converting records to verify that fiber losses during cutting and folding are mathematically aligned with the reported outputs.
Discrepancy Margin
Sourcing guidelines set strict tolerances for any volume differences found during these reviews. If the batch balance audit reveals that finished output exceeds certified input after adjusting for production losses, the mill must downgrade the excess product. This margin represents the absolute threshold of clerical and physical error allowed before a systemic breach is declared.
