Updated Chain of Custody Guidance Document Training

We are pleased to announce that the second edition of the PEFC Chain of Custody Guidance Document (PEFC-GD-2001: 2025) is now available. The first edition of the document was published in 2022 with the aim of providing PEFC chain of custody certified companies, certification bodies, and other key stakeholders with explanations and clarifications in relation to the normative requirements of the following PEFC Chain of Custody related standards.

• PEFC-ST-2002: 2020 ‘Chain of Custody of Forest and Tree Based Products – Requirements’
• PEFC-ST-2001: 2020 ‘PEFC Trademark Rules – Requirements’
• PEFC-ST-2003: 2020 ‘Requirements for Certification Bodies operating Certification against the PEFC International Chain of Custody Standard’

The new edition of the guidance document provides additional and/or updated clarifications on a number of aspects of the three standards, which were deemed necessary and beneficial by the PEFC Chain of Custody Working Group.

The format of the document is unchanged, and to assist the reader, new clarifications are shown in dark green, and any withdrawn guidance is crossed through with a line.

Summary of the Changes

PEFC-ST-2002: 2020

• Updated definitions to align with the EUDR aligned, 2024 version of the PEFC Sustainable Forest Management Standard (PEFC-ST-1003);
• Clarifications on legal ownership of materials and internal audit requirements in relation to outsourcing activities;
• Alternative indicators to biodiversity and habitat index that can be used when conducting risk assessments;
• New chapter covering the implementation of the PEFC Due Diligence System from material origination in Trees Outside Forests;

PEFC-ST-2001: 2020

• Additional examples of how to use the PEFC Trademark;
• Guidance on how to use the PEFC Trademark in relation to a PEFC-endorsed chain of custody standard.

PEFC-ST-2003: 2020

• Amendment to the work and audit experience requirements needed for an auditor to qualify or maintain their PEFC chain of custody auditor qualification;
• Additional guidance on audit scheduling.

Click here to download the document.

Update Sessions

To further assist certificate holders and other stakeholders to understand the changes and their implications, PEFC UK are holding various online update sessions for both certificate holders and certification bodies as follows:

• Tuesday 5^th August: 10:00 – 11:00 BST: Certificate Holders Registration
• Wednesday 6th August: 09:00 – 12:00: Certification Bodies Registration
• Wednesday 17^th September: 13:00 – 14:00 BST: Certificate Holders Registration