ISO 38200 - CoC certification of wood and wood-based products

The ISO 38200 standard defines the requirements for implementing a chain of custody system for wood-based products, bark or bamboo that ensures traceability of the origin of these products along a part or for the entire supply chain.

In a global market where sensitivity towards the issue of environmental and social sustainability is constantly growing, this standard provides organizations with a common regulatory reference to reliably transfer information relating to products and their origin, ensuring the use of materials coming from legal sources.


The characteristics that can be transferred through the chain of custody in accordance with ISO 38200 are of three types:

  • The certification of the material issued by a third party with respect to an international standard, such as the certification relating to the origin from a certified forest with respect to a forest management standard
  • The compliance of the material to the specifications defined by the organization and made public, such as origin from a defined geographical region.
  • Compliance of the material with the requirements of a due diligence system

Choosing accredited third-party certification with respect to ISO 38200 means giving credibility to the system and ensuring compliance with the rules defined along the supply chain up to the end user.

 Examination of the application and documentation sent by the Company, listed in the "Special rules" specific to the product to be certified. Any deficiencies and significant deviations from the requirements, found at this stage, will be communicated so that the appropriate changes can be introduced before the assessment visit is carried out. Upon request, CSI will appoint an inspector to visit the organisation to verify the conformity of the product, process or service. If the results of the visit include non-conformities or observations, a corrective action plan will be required to meet the requirements for the issue of the product certificate. After all the non-conformities that may have emerged from the assessment visit have been passed, and after the positive outcome of the laboratory tests, certification will be granted. The issue of the certificate will be followed by surveillance visits to verify that compliance is being maintained. The frequency of surveillance visits and laboratory tests, if any, is fixed by the special rules applicable. The certification shall have the validity defined in the specific special rules, on expiry the contract shall be deemed to be tacitly renewed unless terminated by one of the two contracting parties 4 (four) months before the expiry date. Tool to certify, though an official recognized third-party body endorsement, that the company is compliant to the requirement... Tool to certify the capability of an organization to gain and maintain steadily, service standard declared to the public... Formal act of a third-party body that certify the conformity of the product technical reference documents, marketing deed to enhance and diversify the product... For years the training offered by IMQ group represented a point of reference for professional development and the update of freelance and employees. Second and third-party, inspections and testing: expert auditors capable to understand the situation of the company...