Verification of Supply Chain Certificate Validity and Scope Schedules
Verify certificate status against public scope schedules to ensure product group codes, grammages, and converting sites explicitly cover every delivered batch.
Public Register Audit
Independent Third-Party
Independent third-party compliance assessments verify that paperboard mills and converters maintain active and accurate profiles on global certification databases. A public register audit is the process of comparing a company’s internal transaction certificates and sales claims against their official status on the forestry group registry. This audit governs the validity of environmental logos printed on retail packaging, ensuring that lapsed or suspended certificates are not used to sell board.
It applies to all certified packaging manufacturers, paper merchants, and finishing houses that claim certified status in their commercial contracts.
Validation Method
Auditors check the public database to confirm that the supplier’s license is active and that the scope of their certificate covers the specific board grades being purchased. If a mill claims to supply certified liquid packaging board but their public profile only covers unbleached kraft, the claim is invalid. This check prevents suppliers from using a general certificate to make specialized environmental claims.
It also ensures that the supplier’s contact information, certificate code, and audit history are correctly displayed for public view. This transparency is necessary because consumer brands rely on these databases to build their supplier lists, and any discrepancy can lead to immediate commercial rejection.
Supplier Verification
Regular database checks protect packaging converters from buying non-compliant stock from unverified sources. They ensure that every link in the supply chain is legally authorized to pass on the certified claim. This simple verification step reduces the risk of greenwashing charges and strengthens consumer trust in paper-based packaging.