FSC has released four new Chain of Custody Interpretations, you can find these interpretations attached. FSC provides Standard Interpretations where they are necessary to ensure consistent application of the FSC standards. The Standard Interpretations are official interpretations of the FSC Policy and Standards Unit to be applied in certification processes. All Standard Interpretations can be found at the FSC Standards Interpretation webpage here.
The first two new standard interpretations are related to the Chain of Custody standard (FSC-STD-40-004 V2-1), and provide clarity to what output claims are allowed under certain conditions.
- The first interpretation clarifies that the output claim of FSC Mix 100% is allowed on sales and delivery documents only.
- The second interpretation provides a table that identifies under the transfer system what the correct output claim is according to the inputs.
The third and fourth new standard interpretations relate to the Accreditation Standard for Chain of Custody Evaluations (FSC-STD-20-011 V1-1).
- The third interpretation explains that there are exceptions to Clause 2.2.1 that specifies the criteria for high risk outsourcing, see attached for specific exceptions.
- The fourth interpretation clarifies that desk audits are acceptable for loggers who do not have a log yard. A desk audit is an audit by a certifier who does not need to come on-site for an evaluation, the audit can be done over the phone.