Course Introduction

The Professional Certificate Course on FSC Standards: Forest Certification, Chain of Custody (CoC) & Internal Auditing is designed to provide participants with practical knowledge and professional skills in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards, responsible forest management, certified material sourcing, supply chain traceability, and internal auditing.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification system promotes environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable forest management. FSC certification also helps organizations demonstrate responsible sourcing and maintain the integrity of FSC-certified materials and products throughout the supply chain.

This course covers the fundamentals of FSC certification, Forest Management (FM), Chain of Custody (CoC) requirements, material control, product group management, FSC claims, trademark requirements, supplier verification, documentation, and internal audit techniques.

Participants will learn how to implement and maintain an FSC Chain of Custody Management System, identify compliance gaps, conduct internal audits, manage nonconformities, and support organizations in preparing for external FSC certification audits.

Course Objectives

The key objectives of this course are to:

• Understand the FSC certification system, principles, and objectives.
• Explain the importance of responsible forest management and sustainable sourcing.
• Understand FSC Forest Management (FM) certification requirements.
• Understand FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification requirements.
• Identify FSC-certified materials and approved suppliers.
• Understand FSC material categories and material control systems.
• Apply requirements for product group management and FSC claims.
• Understand the requirements for FSC trademark use and product labelling.
• Maintain appropriate FSC-related records and documentation.
• Identify risks of mixing FSC-certified and non-certified materials.
• Develop and implement an FSC internal audit programme.
• Conduct FSC internal audits using appropriate audit techniques.
• Identify nonconformities and develop corrective action plans.
• Prepare organizations for external FSC certification audits.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the FSC certification framework and its application.
• Explain the differences between Forest Management and Chain of Custody certification.
• Identify relevant FSC standards and certification requirements.
• Evaluate supplier certification status and certificate validity.
• Verify FSC-certified input materials and related documentation.
• Understand FSC material accounting and control systems.
• Maintain product group and material traceability records.
• Apply appropriate FSC output claims.
• Understand FSC trademark and labelling requirements.
• Identify potential risks in the FSC supply chain.
• Prepare FSC compliance documents and procedures.
• Develop internal audit checklists based on applicable FSC requirements.
• Conduct interviews, document reviews, and process inspections.
• Prepare audit findings and nonconformity reports.
• Monitor corrective actions and support continual improvement.

Target Participants

This course is suitable for:

• Compliance Managers and Officers.
• Sustainability and ESG Professionals.
• Quality Assurance and Quality Control Professionals.
• Internal Auditors and Compliance Auditors.
• Procurement and Supply Chain Professionals.
• Purchase and Sourcing Managers.
• Production Managers and Supervisors.
• Warehouse and Inventory Management Personnel.
• Documentation and Management Representatives.
• Paper, Packaging, Printing and Publishing Industry Professionals.
• Furniture and Wood Product Manufacturers.
• Forest Product Exporters and Importers.
• Environmental Management Professionals.
• Factory Management and Administration Personnel.
• Consultants and Professional Trainers.
• Individuals interested in FSC certification and responsible sourcing.

Lead Content Modules

Module 1: Introduction to FSC Standards and Forest Certification

• Introduction to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
• History, mission, vision, and objectives of FSC.
• Importance of responsible forest management.
• FSC principles and criteria: overview.
• Environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable forest management.
• Overview of FSC certification types.
• FSC certification structure and stakeholders.
• Benefits of FSC certification for organizations and supply chains.

Module 2: FSC Forest Management (FM) Certification

• Introduction to Forest Management (FM) certification.
• Responsible forest management requirements.
• Environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.
• Protection of workers' rights and local communities.
• Indigenous Peoples' rights and community engagement.
• Legal compliance and forest management responsibilities.
• Forest management planning and monitoring.
• Overview of FSC Forest Management certification assessment.

Module 3: FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification Requirements

• Introduction to FSC Chain of Custody certification.
• Purpose and scope of CoC certification.
• Overview of applicable FSC CoC standards.
• Organizational responsibilities and management system requirements.
• Identification of FSC-certified suppliers.
• Verification of supplier certificates and product scope.
• Purchasing and receiving FSC-certified materials.
• Material identification, segregation, and traceability.
• Control of outsourced processes.
• Recordkeeping and documentation requirements.

Module 4: FSC Material Control and Product Group Management

• Understanding FSC material categories.
• FSC-certified, FSC Controlled Wood, and other material classifications.
• FSC transfer, percentage, and credit systems: overview.
• Establishing and maintaining FSC product groups.
• Material input and output control.
• Material accounting and volume reconciliation.
• Prevention of mixing and substitution.
• FSC claims on sales and delivery documents.
• Inventory control and traceability.
• Practical exercises on material control and accounting.

Module 5: FSC Trademark, Labelling and Supply Chain Integrity

• Introduction to FSC trademarks and logos.
• FSC on-product and promotional labelling requirements.
• FSC product claims and claim verification.
• Trademark approval and authorization process.
• Use of FSC logos in product packaging and promotional materials.
• Control of incorrect or misleading FSC claims.
• Supplier and customer communication.
• Supply chain integrity and risk management.
• Prevention of fraudulent FSC claims and material substitution.
• Documentation of trademark approvals and related records.

Module 6: FSC Documentation, Legal Compliance and Operational Control

• Development of FSC Chain of Custody procedures.
• FSC policy and organizational responsibilities.
• Supplier approval and monitoring procedures.
• Purchasing, receiving, storage, and production controls.
• Material identification and segregation procedures.
• Sales, delivery, and invoice documentation.
• Training and competence requirements.
• Complaint handling and nonconforming product control.
• Record retention and document control.
• Preparation for external FSC certification audits.

Module 7: FSC Internal Auditing Techniques and Corrective Action

• Introduction to FSC internal auditing.
• Understanding audit principles and auditor responsibilities.
• Audit objectives, scope, criteria, and planning.
• Preparation of FSC internal audit checklists.
• Conducting opening meetings and employee interviews.
• Document review and physical verification.
• Audit sampling and evidence collection.
• Identification and classification of audit findings.
• Nonconformity reporting and root cause analysis.
• Corrective action planning, implementation, and verification.

Module 8: Practical Exercises, Case Studies and Final Assessment

• Practical review of FSC Chain of Custody requirements.
• Supplier certificate verification exercise.
• FSC material receiving and identification exercise.
• Product group and material accounting case study.
• Review of FSC claims on sales and delivery documents.
• Preparation of an FSC internal audit checklist.
• Practical internal audit simulation.
• Identification of nonconformities and preparation of audit reports.
• Corrective action and root cause analysis exercise.
• Final written assessment and professional evaluation.

Training Methodology

The course will be delivered through interactive and practical training methods:

• Professional presentations and technical discussions.
• Explanation of FSC standards and certification requirements.
• Practical examples from manufacturing and supply chain operations.
• Case studies based on FSC compliance issues.
• Review of FSC-related documents and records.
• Supplier verification and traceability exercises.
• Internal audit checklist development.
• Audit interview and evidence collection practice.
• Nonconformity identification and corrective action exercises.
• Question-and-answer sessions.

Assessment & Evaluation

Participants will be evaluated through:

• Multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
• Short-answer written assessment.
• FSC standards and requirements understanding.
• Practical case study analysis.
• Supplier verification and traceability exercises.
• Internal audit checklist preparation.
• Audit findings and nonconformity reporting.
• Corrective action planning.
• Final written assessment.
• Viva or professional discussion, where applicable.

Course Summary Information

Course Title: Professional Certificate Course on FSC Standards: Forest Certification, Chain of Custody (CoC) & Internal Auditing

Training Provider: Compliance Training (BD) Limited (CTBL)

Course Type: Professional Certificate Training Course

Training Mode: Online Training

Total Modules: 08 Modules

Total Sessions: 08 Sessions

Total Duration: 08 Hours (Online)

Session Duration: 01 Hour per Session

Class Frequency: 02 Days per Week

Classroom Training: 10:00–5:00 (Day-Long Training)

Registration Fee:

• Online Training: BDT 3,500/-
• In-Person Classroom Training: BDT 4,500/-

Training Provider

Compliance Training (BD) Limited (CTBL)

Website: www.compliancetrainingbd.com

Email: compliancetrainingbd2019@gmail.com

Registration Hotlines:

01739-138399

01839-920810

Quality Training is Our Motto.