Core Standard
Forestry certification requirements dictate how companies must track and record the movement of timber-based products through the supply chain. The fsc-std-40-004 v3-1 is the primary document used by manufacturers, printers and distributors to prove the origin of their paper stock. It provides the mechanical rules for the transfer, credit and percentage systems used to verify claims on invoices.
Sourcing Logic
Verification begins with the receipt of goods and ends with the sale of the finished product to the customer. Under the fsc-std-40-004 v3-1 framework, an organization must maintain a secure system for separating certified volumes from non-certified stock. This includes a robust process for checking the validity of supplier certificates and ensuring the correct claim is carried forward.
The version 3-1 update introduced specific requirements for labour rights and health and safety within the workplace. Companies must demonstrate that they do not use child labour or forced labour in any part of their production. This social component is now as important as the physical tracking of the wood fibre.
Labeling Requirement
Finished goods can only carry the trademark logo if the strict accounting rules for the chosen system have been satisfied. The fsc-std-40-004 v3-1 standard ensures that the claim on the box matches the reality of the forest floor. Every transaction is subject to annual inspection by an independent body.
