Broken chain of custody

If you are purchasing timber and timber products from a supplier who is not directly certified but who claims their supply is, you may be able to show that it meets the requirements for legality and sustainability.

1. The supplier should use should use Category B Checklist 1 (supply chain information) to provide the information.

2. The supplier should have available information about the third party who holds the valid chain of custody certificate. This information should be entered in 'Stage 1' of Checklist 1.  This information should confirm that the materials specified are covered by the scope of their certificate. The supplier should carry out the steps as described in the section on checking evidence of certification.

3. The supplier should provide information about the supply chain after the products leave the COC certificate holder. If the supplier buys it directly from a COC holder, they should refer to the invoice showing this, as well as provide information and evidence of how they ensures that only those products sourced from the certificate holders will be supplied.

4. Suppliers should refer to the Practical guides: Supply chain information to determine what level of verification is appropraite to demonstrate that the certified products are not being mixed or substituted once they leave the COC certificate holder. This means some level of checking will need to be undertaken.

Making claims

Please note that if you do have a break in the chain, and use credible Category B evidence to make the link between the certificate holder your supplier and you, claims that certified products have been purchased CANNOT be made. Any such claim would be a trademark infrigement. As soon as ownership of products is taken by a non-CoC-certificate holder, the products cease to be 'certified'.  However, if the evidence is credible, you can make a claim of legal or sustainably sourced products.