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About our company
Providing global leadership in third-party environmental, sustainability, food safety and quality certification, auditing, and standards development since 1984.
Since 1984, SCS has been a pioneer and leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification, working across the economy in the natural resources, built environment, food and agriculture, consumer products and climate sectors. Partnering with companies, government agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders, we are striving to advance sustainable development goals through independent assessment, the application of sound science, and innovative solutions. Through these services, we are enabling decision-makers and purchasers to make informed decisions, giving innovators a competitive edge, and helping to drive the development of leadership standards to create a framework for continuous improvement.
VISION & MISSION
Our Vision
A sustainable future that safeguards our environment and our climate, respects the dignity and supports the health and wellbeing of workers and communities, and raises the standard of living for all.
Our Mission
To achieve this vision, we have established programs and services designed to recognize the outstanding achievements of companies, institutions and organizations who are meeting the highest levels of performance in environmental protection, social/ethical responsibility, product safety and quality, and stimulate continuous improvement on the path toward sustainability. In this undertaking, we employ a life-cycle framework, state-of-the-art science, proven analytical methods, and performance metrics and professional expertise.
Our Commitment
To deliver world-class professional service, uphold our integrity as a neutral third-party, and continually improve our programs and services in order to have the greatest possible positive impact.
Our Contribution
Together with our clients and partners, we are actively impacting the world around us:
Our Role As A Neutral Third Party
Third-party audits, test results, and certifications provide the independent perspective needed to help our clients evaluate their own performance, identify improvement opportunities, determine the best steps forward, and reassure customers and stakeholders.
We vigorously uphold our third-party status through the following steps:
Diamonds You Can Trust
SCS 007 is the first international multi-stakeholder sustainability standard for diamonds used in jewelry, assuring that diamonds meet the highest standards of ethical and environmental responsibility.
Comprehensive Certification & Verification for Sustainable Agriculture
SCS is a leader in food consumer and farm-level certifications including Non-GMO, Organic, Gluten-Free, FairTrade, Rainforest Alliance, and Sustainably Grown.
World’s Leading Certifier of Forest Carbon Offsets
Offering the best in Carbon Offset verification for both forestry and non-forestry projects.
Food Safety Training Courses Led by Expert Trainers
Expanded online catalog of GFSI courses including SQF, BRCGS, GLOBALG.A.P., PrimusGFS and more.
Solutions-Oriented ESG Consulting
Propel your business forward with science-based ESG reporting and sustainability consulting.
Featured Services
SCS is an international leader in third-party certification, validation, and verification for environmental, sustainability, and food safety and quality performance claims.
FSC® Chain of Custody
Certification for Wood and Paper Products
Assure customers that your wood and paper products meet the world’s most stringent environmental, ethical, and economic sourcing standards with Forest Stewardship Council® Chain of Custody (FSC CoC) certification. Whether you are a sawmill, papermill manufacturer, broker, distributor, wholesaler, retailer, or printer, FSC CoC certification gives you access to the growing global market for responsibly sourced wood and paper products.
FSC CoC certification is available to all companies that process or sell forest products, including sawmills, secondary manufacturers, brokers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, printers, and paper merchants. For any companies taking legal ownership of certified product and wishing to pass forward certified claims, certification is mandatory. This quality management system audit verifies certified inputs and outputs, along with a range of other indicators.
Certification Types
FSC CoC operations range from simple to very complex. There are distinct CoC standards addressing companies with multiple facilities, the outsourcing of production, verification of «Controlled Wood», and recycled content. SCS offers the following certifications:
Optional add-ons include:
Why Choose SCS?
As a founding member and longest-running accredited FSC certification program in the world, SCS has unparalleled experience auditing against FSC requirements in all corners of the world. SCS has certified more than 7,000 companies on 6 continents. Our leadership in FSC CoC and FSC Forest Management certification reflects the professionalism of our industry expert auditors, fast and reliable service, effective stakeholder engagement, and a deep commitment to the mission and principles around which FSC was founded. Continuously accredited by Accreditation Services International since entering the program in the early 1990s, SCS maintains a superior track record of auditing and certification to the FSC COC standard. We have the experience, expertise and local knowledge needed to successfully certify your entire supply chain.
Apply for Certification
Complete and submit the SCS Application form. SCS will then prepare a proposal for your approval with suggested scope of work, timeline and quote. If the proposal meets your needs you will sign a Work Order and the audit will be scheduled.
Create company procedures that demonstrate how certified wood or paper products will be tracked throughout your operation. SCS provides guidance to help explain the chain-of-custody requirements.
An SCS auditor will review your procedures for thoroughness and conformance. The auditor identifies areas for improvement in the procedures prior to the audit.
During a site visit, an SCS auditor will review the chain-of-custody procedures and documents (from receipt of inputs to the final sale). Additionally, the auditor will tour the facilities where certified material is handled and interview key staff. We look for evidence that staff has been duly trained in the CoC responsibilities that have been assigned to them and that staff possess an understanding of the workflow for certified products.
Based on audit findings, SCS produces an audit report. The audit report is submitted to a SCS Technical Associate who validates the appropriateness of the auditor’s methodology and conclusions.
Make Certification Decision
The Technical Associate decides whether to grant certification. If granted, you will be issued a certificate valid for a five-year period. Any conditional Major Corrective Action Requests (CARs) identified by SCS must be closed prior to obtaining certification.
Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain chain-of-custody certification. Certified companies and product offerings are listed on the official FSC certificate holder database. Certified companies are granted permission to use trademarks for on-product and off-product applications in conformance with the appropriate trademark standard.
FSC CoC audits can be conducted concurrently with Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) CoC audits, enabling you to get even more value from your certification efforts. SCS also offers Controlled Wood Certification for forest management operations not ready for full FSC certification.
Additionally, wood products may qualify for SCS Recycled Content, SCS Indoor Advantage indoor air quality, or SCS CARB Formaldehyde Compliance (CARB ATCM) certification. Woody biomass producers may wish to combine PEFC Chain of Custody audits with Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) audits to reduce overall audit time and expense.
Do we need to be Chain-of-Custody certified?
Companies pursue Chain of Custody certification to demonstrate to their clients and the general public that the wood or paper products that they are selling are traceable to the certified forest of origin. Chain of Custody certification is required if your company takes legal ownership of certified materials or products and wishes to pass on a certified claims to your customer(s). Companies at the end of the supply chain, such as retailers who will not be passing the claim forward on an invoice, are not required to hold a certificate although they may choose to do so. FSC now offers retailer promotional licenses for off-product promotional purposes. Contact your local FSC office or SCS for more information.
What type of Chain-of-Custody certification do I need?
Every Chain-of-Custody certificate holder must conform to the Chain of Custody Standard. Certification to additional standards may be necessary depending on the structure of your organization (e.g. multi-site for common ownership, or group certification for small businesses without common ownership ) and the use of uncertified materials (virgin or recycled) that you might wish to source and mix with your certified materials or products. Please contact SCS to determine the available options for your enterprise.
Does FSC Chain of Custody certification make me eligible for green building program credits?
Yes, there are many green building programs such as US Green Building Council’s LEED program, Living Building Challenge, LEED India, the Green Building Council of Australia and others that offer credit for the use of certified wood products in construction. Consult the green building standard, a local green building professional, or SCS to learn more.
What other drivers exist in the marketplace for FSC certified products?
Government projects (e.g. courthouses, schools, military installations) and corporate sourcing policies exceedingly call for products to be FSC certified.
How much does Chain of Custody certification cost?
Prices for SCS auditing services vary depending on the location, size and complexity of your operation. Chain of Custody systems range from simple to very complex, and there are separate CoC standards addressing companies with multiple facilities, outsource manufacturing, and the verification of recycled or non-controversial sources. Annual surveillance audits are required to maintain your certification. SCS offers reduced prices for companies that hold multiple SCS certifications (for example Chain of Custody and Indoor Air Quality or Recycled Content). Other common certifications for CoC certificate holders include food safety (packaging), carbon footprint, carbon neutrality, ISO 9001, and ISO 14001. Please contact SCS for customized recommendations specific to your business.
How long does the Chain-of-Custody certification process take?
The certification process takes approximately 6-8 weeks depending on the size and complexity of your operation. The largest component of this is audit preparation. If you have already developed your FSC procedures, certification audits can take place in a rushed format for an additional fee. For primary producers implementing a Controlled Wood sourcing program, a 6-week stakeholder consultation is required.
What sets SCS apart from other FSC COC certification bodies?
SCS has the longest running forest products certification program in the world. With a customer service orientated focus, we aim to provide superior service, responsiveness, and the highest quality specialists available. Our Chain of Custody staff includes approximately 35 fulltime experts and many more partners, affiliates, and local contract auditors.
Can SCS help me prepare for my audit?
As an accredited 3rd party certification body, SCS is forbidden from providing any applicants with consulting services. However, we are able to provide guidance documents to help your company prepare for a certification audit. Additionally, consultant information may be provided upon request. For any companies seeking a pre-audit assessment/gap analysis, such pre-audits are available for an additional fee. Lastly, your firm will be provided with an audit plan in advance of the audit that will provide an outline for the day as well as information on documentation that may be requested during the assessment.
How long is my Chain of Custody certificate valid?
Chain of Custody certificates are valid for a period of five years, contingent on annual surveillance audits occurring once every 12 months.
How can I use the SCS Kingfisher Responsible Forestry logo?
SCS FSC certificate holders in good standing can use the Kingfisher Responsible Forestry logo for on-product and promotional claims in conjunction with use of the FSC logo. Logo use guidelines and images are provided upon achieving certification. Co-branding with SCS’ Kingfisher has resonated with consumers according to our research, as the claim ‘Responsible Forestry’ clearly communicates what the FSC certification is all about.
Current FSC Chain of Custody Certificate Holders
Details on all companies and products currently certified by SCS according to the requirements of the FSC can be found in the FSC’s Registered Certificates database. This is the official database of FSC certificate holders. Find all companies certified by SCS and Public Summaries of their evaluation reports by following these steps:
FSC requires certification bodies, under certain circumstances, to solicit stakeholder comments on our clients’ Due Diligence Systems and Supply Base Report/Supply Base Report Annex 1. To see a list of current public consultations and participate by providing comments regarding conformity or nonconformity to applicable requirements, please visit our Stakeholder Review page.
Documents
Apply Now
Ready to start the process? Complete an Application.
Featured Clients
Driving change with some of the world’s smartest companies
Driving Your Corporate Sustainability Goals with Expert Verification & Certification
We’ve been a global leader in certifying achievements in agriculture, forestry, green building, consumer products and much more since 1984.
Welcome to SCS Europe
Building Business Value Through Sustainability
Karen Righthand | Vice President of Corporate Sales and Marketing | ph: 510.452.6817 | Contact
Since 1984, SCS has been a global pioneer and leader in the field of sustainability standards and third-party certification, working across the economy in the natural resources, built environment, food and agriculture, consumer products and climate sectors. Partnering with companies, government agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders, we are striving to advance sustainable development goals through independent assessment, the application of sound science, and innovative solutions. Through these services, we are enabling decision-makers and purchasers to make informed decisions, giving innovators a competitive edge, and helping to drive the development of leadership standards to create a framework for continuous improvement.
Our programs in Europe span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, retail, and more. We are accredited to provide services under a wide range of nationally and internationally recognized certification programs and are uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive, market driven sustainability solutions to create value for businesses.
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Customer Testimonials
«We are very satisfied working with SCS Global Services for over two years now in various projects including the development of EPDs. They are very knowledgeable and consistently attentive to our needs.”
Paraskevi Fotoglou
Sustainability Engineer, Camira Fabric
«Haworth Europe has been working with SCS for years on sustainability certifications. We gain great benefit from our SCS Indoor Advantage Gold and European LEVEL certifications and enjoy working with SCS Europe. Their experience, subject matter expertise, and customer service make them a valued partner.”
Bianca Dönicke
Head of International Continuous Improvement Systems & Sustainability, Haworth
“We have achieved FEMB European Level Certification with SCS in 2021. Our experience working with SCS Global Services as a certification body has been absolutely positive. They were extremely responsive and professional.”
Michael Schmitt
Head of Quality/Environmental/Helpdesk Representative Environmental Management, Viasit