New version of PEFC chain of custody manual published

NEWS

POLICY & LEGAL

Heleen Kommers, Thursday 26 June 2025

67 sec

Three years of practical questions incorporated

The second edition of the chain of custody guideline from PEFC has been published. The updated manual helps companies and certification bodies apply the international standard for wood and forest-based products more effectively.

Forest management: thinning in Tilburg (Image via: Weijtmans)

PEFC has released a new edition of the English-language document Chain of Custody of Forest and Tree Based Products (PEFC GD 2001:2025). The first version was published in 2022. Since then, PEFC chain of custody-certified companies and other stakeholders have been using the manual to apply the standard correctly.
The new edition includes additions and clarifications in response to three years of practical questions. All changes are clearly marked in dark green.

The new guideline serves as a reference and can be applied immediately.

Key changes at a glance

The updates apply to various elements of the PEFC system:


		Chain of custody standard (ST 2002): Definitions have been aligned with the revised international forest management standard (ST 1003) to better match European regulations such as the EUDR. Additional clarification is provided on legal ownership in outsourcing, alternative indicators for biodiversity, and use of the due diligence system for trees outside forests.
		Certification bodies standard (ST 2003): Qualification requirements for auditors have been tightened. Experience with other natural resource supply chains now also counts.
		Use of labels (ST 2001): A more detailed explanation has been added on the use of PEFC logos, including examples and instructions for the label generator.

LEES OOK

Global growth in PEFC certification: 'Forests are gaining increasing economic and ecological value'

10-06-2025 | NIEUWS

100 sec

The new edition includes additions and clarifications in response to three years of practical questions.

Training programs will be updated

The new guideline serves as a reference and can be applied immediately. "We invite all certified companies, auditors, and other stakeholders to download the second edition and use it as a reference," says PEFC.
The updates will also be incorporated into all future PEFC training programs. The document is available via the PEFC International website.

All changes are clearly marked in dark green.

LEES OOK