If you manufacture, process or sell timber, paper, cork or packaging, the market and the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) already require you to prove the sustainable origin of your raw materials. We guide your company to the FSC or PEFC certificate, issued by an accredited certification body (AENOR, Bureau Veritas, SGS and others).
Chain of custody (CoC) certification guarantees the traceability of forest products from the forest to the end consumer. Obtaining the FSC or PEFC label is not just about buying certified wood: you must be able to demonstrate, audit after audit, that all certified material is correctly identified, segregated and labelled throughout your production process. That documentary and operational management system is exactly what we build with you.
The regulatory landscape has changed significantly with the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 on deforestation (EUDR). From 30 December 2026, medium and large operators placing timber, wood pulp and derived products on the EU market must submit a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) in the EU TRACES system, proving that the products do not originate from land deforested after 31 December 2020. Micro and small enterprises have an extension until 30 June 2027. (Deadlines updated by Regulation (EU) 2025/2650, published 23 December 2025.) Holding FSC or PEFC certification is the most widely recognised way to support that due diligence with customers and authorities.
FSC and PEFC are the two major forest certification systems. FSC, championed by organisations such as WWF and Greenpeace, applies a global standard with 10 principles and 56 criteria, and is the most demanded in international tenders and large retailers. PEFC, established in 1999 in Europe, works with country-adapted standards — in Spain, recognised by ENAC — and requires a minimum traceability threshold of 70%, making it the most accessible option for SMEs and private forest owners. Many companies choose to maintain both, as retail, sustainable construction and packaging markets frequently require one or the other depending on the client. Our team analyses your supply chain and recommends which scheme — or which combination — best fits your client portfolio and commercial plan.
We analyse your supply chain, your client profile and the contractual or regulatory requirements that apply to you. We determine whether you need FSC, PEFC or both certifications, and review whether you already meet any EUDR requirements you can leverage.
We develop the procedures for identifying, separating and labelling certified material; input and output records; the training plan for involved personnel; and the documentation required by the FSC-STD-40-004 or PEFC ST 2002:2020 chain of custody standard.
We support the system roll-out during the run-in period: we review records, carry out a simulated internal audit and identify non-conformities before the certification body arrives. We coordinate timelines with the chosen certification body (AENOR, Bureau Veritas, SGS, APCER or another body accredited by ASI or PEFC).
We support your company throughout Stage I (document review) and Stage II (on-site audit). Once the certificate is issued, we provide support at annual surveillance audits and renewals at the end of the five-year cycle, keeping the system updated against normative revisions.
The operational detail: what we deliver as part of the work and what we keep alive afterwards.
Supply chain analysis
We map all forest material suppliers, identify those already FSC or PEFC certified and flag the links that require action before the audit.
Chain of custody manual
Governing document covering the certification scope, material flows, separation controls and percentage or credit criteria (depending on the applicable method: segregation, percentage or credit).
Operational procedures and records
Work instructions for receiving, storage, production and dispatch; input/output record templates; and a system for tracking certified volume against total volume.
Staff training
Training session for purchasing, production and logistics managers: what chain of custody means, how to identify certified material, how to fill in records and what to do in the event of non-conformities.
Prior internal audit
Full-checklist audit simulation to detect deviations and correct them before the certification body's visit, reducing the risk of non-conformities in the real audit.
EUDR support
Guidance on preparing the Due Diligence Statements required by Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 and registration in the EU TRACES system, aligning chain of custody documentation with the requirements of the European regulation.
Forest chain of custody connects with other areas of Grupo Summum: if you need to report your environmental footprint or ESG strategy alongside your FSC/PEFC certificate, Summum Calidad coordinates both projects; and if you are looking for digital material traceability in your ERP or management system, Summum Sistemas can integrate it.
If FSC/PEFC certification is part of your sustainability strategy, we complement it with an ESG project that structures your environmental and social commitments for clients and investors.
View service → calidadISO 14001 and FSC/PEFC reinforce each other: the environmental management system provides the control framework that chain of custody needs to operate rigorously.
View service → sistemasFor companies managing forest or agricultural batch traceability in their ERP, Summum Sistemas integrates chain of custody records into the management system, eliminating manual double entry.
View service →Any company that manufactures, processes, trades or sells forest products with the FSC or PEFC label: joinery companies, furniture manufacturers, paper mills, printers, packaging firms, construction companies using certified structural timber and distributors of forest-origin materials. If you are a trader that simply resells products already labelled by a certified supplier, you may not need your own chain of custody certificate; we assess this on a case-by-case basis.
FSC applies a stricter global standard with 10 principles and 56 criteria, and is the most widely recognised in international tenders and major global distribution chains. PEFC is more flexible, adapted to national standards, and has a minimum traceability threshold of 70%, making it more accessible for SMEs. The choice depends on your clients: if you export or work with international retailers, FSC is usually essential; if your market is mainly national or European, PEFC may be sufficient. Many companies opt for both to keep all doors open.
Regulation (EU) 2023/1115, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2025/2650, requires medium and large operators placing timber, wood pulp and derived products on the EU market to submit a Due Diligence Statement (DDS) in the EU TRACES system from 30 December 2026. Micro and small enterprises have until 30 June 2027. FSC or PEFC chain of custody certification is the most widely recognised evidence to support that due diligence, although it is not the only route.
For companies with straightforward processes and a single production site, the complete process — from diagnosis to certificate issuance — can be completed in two to four months. For companies with multiple sites, diverse product lines or uncertified suppliers requiring a change of source, the timeframe may be longer. In any case, we design the project with a realistic schedule from the outset.
No. Summum Calidad is a consultancy, not a certification body. Our role is to build your chain of custody management system and support you until an accredited certification body — AENOR, Bureau Veritas, SGS, APCER or another body accredited by ASI (for FSC) or by PEFC Spain — issues the certificate in your name.