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Chain of Custody Certification

Indiana State Forests are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®). Purchasers of timber from State Forests may market products as FSC certified only if they have FSC Chain-of-Custody (CoC) certification. The Indiana Classified Forest and Wildlands program is also certified by the FSC, with individual landowners given the option to participate in the FSC certificate. Purchasers of timber from Classified Forest and Wildlands must verify that the owner has chosen to participate; if so, the purchaser may market those products as certified with the proper CoC certification. To expedite and simplify this CoC process, the Division of Forestry has developed a template procedures document and achieved a Group certificate through Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). Any Indiana company can use the template as guide in developing their own document. 

Membership in the Division of Forestry’s Group Chain of Custody is limited to companies that meet the following qualifications:

  • Located within the State of Indiana
  • Engaged in logging, hauling or primary processing of forest products
  • Make application to the Division of Forestry (DoF) requesting group membership
  • Agree to comply with Corrective Action Requests (CARs) issued by DoF or contract auditors or the Certification Body, SCS.
  • Agree to provide information (as necessary to ensure compliance with FSC CoC standards) to the DoF or the Certification Body upon request. This information may include, but not limited to: production records, internal policy documents, management records, invoices for services or products, and agreements with outside entities.
  • Submit to an initial audit and to annual audits by DoF and/or the Certifying Body
  • Agree to have FSC product claims for labeling, marketing, and promotion comply with the appropriate FSC standard and be approved by SCS through the DoF.
FSC trademark license codes – FSC® C108845 & FSC® C002017

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