Objectives of the revision

The revision of the PEFC Chain of Custody standard (Annex 4 of the PEFC Council Technical Document), originally adopted November 2004, aims at

• accommodating the experience gained to date from the chain of custody certification,
• responding to current and future market circumstances and customers expectations and needs,
• ensuring truthful, credible and honest claims are made on the content of PEFC certified raw material.

Revision scope and introduction

An introduction paper, published in March 2008, contains information on the objectives, scope, basic principles, bodies governing the revision and timetable of the revision work.

The revision process proceeds in two phases:

• The first phase of the revision (starting in April 2008) was focus on urgent and immediate issues, which will included in the existing standard as an amendment.
• The second phase starts in Autumn 2008, with the objective to present a new chain of custody standard to the General Assembly in October 2009.

First round consultation

A first round of public consultation (April 2008) identified critical issues of importance to users of the PEFC scheme and other stakeholders. Comments received were categorized into two groups:

• urgent and imminent issues to be included in an amendment to the current version of the chain of custody standard (to be approved in 2008),
• issues which should be addressed in the comprehensive revision of the PEFC chain of custody standard.

Second round consultation

The comments received during the first round of consultation provided an important guidance in the drafting of the "2008 Amendment", which was presented for the second round of consultation in July 2008.

The comments received during the second round public consultation were considered by the PEFC Chain of Custody and Labelling working group in August 2008 and a new draft of the "2008 Amendment" was presented to the Board of Directors for the formal approval process.

Background documentation

• Introduction to the revision processCurrent
• PEFC Chain of Custody standard (Annex 4 of the PEFC Council Technical Document) Draft 1
• "2008 Amendment"