PEFC Chain of Custody Certification

The on-site audit is organised by your designated auditor, who will check whether your organisation meets the requirements and guidelines of the relevant PEFC standards. 

The audit involves interviews with staff at their workplaces and a review of documentation. 

The main focus here is on:

• Compliance with due diligence (DDS)
• Health and safety
• Management system requirements: processes, responsibilities, training, communication, documentation
• Traceability of the raw materials you use
• Purchasing, goods receipt and suppliers
• Goods dispatch and sale of your products with PEFC declaration
• Use of the PEFC logos

On the PEFC International website, you will find the relevant standards as well as further information to assist you in preparing for PEFC certification. The relevant national PEFC notification bodies also frequently provide preparatory materials. As an independent certification body, we are not permitted to provide any templates ourselves.

You can access the PEFC International website via the following link: https://www.pefc.org/for-business/supply-chain-companies/how-to-get-certified

The basic requirement is that your company processes, labels and documents PEFC-certified materials correctly. This includes, amongst other things, the implementation of a chain of custody system, as well as evidence of material separation and the correct use of the PEFC declaration[CW1]. The specific requirements that apply depend on the scope of your organisation.

Typical requirements include, amongst others:

• no mixing of PEFC-certified material with non-certified materials
• a traceable system for monitoring quantities and stock levels of PEFC-certified goods received, stored and dispatched,
• a documented procedure describing how certified materials are processed, identified and transferred.

The costs of PEFC chain-of-custody certification are determined on a case-by-case basis for each company, as they depend on the complexity of your processes and the size of your organisation. Key factors in determining the costs include, for example, the number of your sites, your production or trading activities, and the range of products you manufacture or supply.

In addition, PEFC administrative fees apply; these are based on your company’s turnover and are set by the relevant national PEFC notification bodies.

You are welcome to request a personalised quote in just a few steps via our quote form.

The duration depends on how well your organisation is prepared and how quickly all the relevant information can be provided. Following a successful audit, certification can be granted within a few weeks.

We also generally offer audit appointments at short notice.

The duration of the audit itself depends on the size, complexity and nature of your company’s operations. Factors that influence this include:

• Type of business (retail vs. manufacturing)
• Number of employees and sites
• Range of product groups

For small or less complex companies, we usually allow at least half a working day for the audit. Depending on the scope, the time required may be longer.

Once TÜV NORD CERT GmbH has issued you with the certificate stating the official start date of validity, your company may offer PEFC-certified products in accordance with your scope of certification and use the relevant declarations.

Not usually. The requirements that apply depend on your business activities and the scope of your organisation. Some requirements, such as certain control methods or requirements relating to multi-site structures, only apply if they are relevant to your organisation.

The specific scope of the audit also affects its duration and costs.

Yes, according to the PEFC audit, the PEFC system is EmpCo-compliant; this means that the use of the PEFC trademarks in accordance with the requirements of the PEFC regulations helps companies to comply with the EU Directive.

Further information can be found on the following website: https://www.pefc.org/for-business/supply-chain-companies/pefc-and-the-eu-empowering-consumers-directive

No. The PEFC-DDS module does not replace the legal requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), such as the geolocation of felling sites or the mandatory due diligence declaration. However, it helps your company to record EUDR-relevant information in a structured manner and creates additional transparency throughout the supply chain.

The EUDR will apply from 30 December 2026 to all companies placing timber or timber products on the EU market. For small and micro-enterprises, an extended deadline applies until the end of June 2027 at the latest.

No, not every site within a group of companies requires certification. Prior to certification, the scope is defined, which may focus on specific sites. The only thing to bear in mind is that all sites carrying out activities relevant to the certified product chain – such as purchasing, sales or production – must be included within the scope.