FSC Chain of Custody

Material Control

Transfer methods track certified volume through distinct batches of paper or board where the physical stock remains identifiable from warehouse intake to final dispatch. Credits represent a different strategy for facilities that mix certified and uncertified inputs during production. A facility earns these credits based on the volume of verified inputs and the specific output ratio of the machinery.

These credits stay on a ledger until the mill claims them against a batch of outgoing products. Credit systems allow for mixed manufacturing environments where segregated storage of pulp or paper presents technical constraints for the equipment. Managers apply these calculations to ensure the proportion of label claims matches the actual fibre composition of the finished print stock.

Audit Accuracy

Regulatory bodies define the margin of error permitted within these ledger systems to keep the documentation aligned with physical inventories. Any discrepancy in mass balance triggers an investigation into handling practices or sourcing records at the converting plant. Strict adherence to these rules prevents unauthorized substitution of material in high-demand packaging lines.

Auditors verify the integrity of the data trails rather than the physical attributes of the paper itself. The validity of a green claim rests entirely upon the strength of the documented paper trail.