FSC® Chain of Custody Training
Everything your team needs to prepare for FSC certification, in a practical 1-day online training course
This course is for businesses that handle timber, wood or paper products and want to become FSC Chain of Custody certified for the first time. Using a mixture of presentations and group exercises, you’ll learn to:
Explain what FSC Chain of Custody certification is and why it matters to your business
Identify your own responsibilities, and your colleagues', within a Chain of Custody management system
Apply FSC requirements correctly in your day-to-day role
Recognise the situations that could put your certification at risk
Understand the route to certification, from choosing a certification body to your first audit
Sign up below to start your FSC certification journey
£500 per person · 25% off additional attendees from the same company · Live online
Course Outline
The course follows the requirements of the FSC Chain of Custody standard (FSC-STD-40-004) and the FSC trademark rules (FSC-STD-50-001). Each module combines short input from the trainers with exercises you complete in small groups.
Module
1. FSC and the certification journey
2. Core requirements
3. Materials and tracking
4. Suppliers and documentation
5. Using the FSC trademarks
6. Building your management system
7. Audit readiness and next steps
Course Content
How FSC works, label types, how to apply, what happens at audit
Scope, product groups, control systems, input and output claims, FSC Representative
Segregation, goods-in checks, conversion factors, common audit failures
Checking supplier certificates, invoice claims, records you must keep
When you can and cannot use the logo, licence codes, artwork approval
Procedures, roles, training records, internal checks
What auditors ask, typical first-time findings, your action plan
A full course agenda and reading list will be sent 1-month ahead of your scheduled training date.
Who is this service for?
Timber, pulp & paper traders, processors, manufacturers and retailers.
Businesses seeking FSC Chain of Custody certification
Sustainability managers charged with implementing and overseeing an FSC Chain of Custody system
Procurement, finance, senior management and others involved in the implementation of an FSC CoC system.
Those seeking an operational training session, not just theory and broad overviews
How does the day work?
Live online, delivered on Microsoft Teams by two experienced trainers
Hands-on. Scenario exercises, breakout groups as well as presentations.
Small groups capped at 20 participants.
Materials included You receive the slides, exercise templates and a certificate of attendance.
Times: 09:30 to 16:30 UK time / 10:30 to 17:30 CET with breaks.
Your Trainers
Our FSC one-day course is delivered by Wildground in partnership with Certain BV, providing you expertise from two trained specialists:
Oliver Cupit, Founder and Director, Wildground. Oliver is a former FSC Chain of Custody auditor and timber legality specialist. He previously worked for FSC certification body Preferred by Nature where he has audited, trained and assessed companies across the UK. He has 15 years experience in timber supply chains conducting legality and sustainability evaluation to FSC, PEFC, EUTR and EUDR requirements.
Tim Roelandts, Certain BV. Tim is a practicing FSC auditor with 14 years experience auditing companies across Europe. Certain BV, based in Belgium, advises organisations on chain of custody systems and group certification across FSC, PEFC, RSPO, MSC and ASC, and on EUTR and EUDR compliance.
Book your place
Select dates and book your place on our upcoming courses below:
Everything your team needs to prepare for FSC certification, in one practical day with two specialist trainers. The course follows the requirements of the FSC Chain of Custody standard (FSC-STD-40-004) and the FSC trademark rules (FSC-STD-50-001).
Prices are shown without VAT. Wildground is not VAT registered and does not charge VAT.
The course is for businesses only, and you need a valid business VAT number to book. Your company is responsible for paying any VAT required in its own country.
Payment is due in full at booking, and you can cancel for a full refund up to 14 days before the course date; after that, fees are non-refundable, though you may transfer your place to a colleague at no charge.
See full T&Cs here
FSC is a registered trademark of the Forest Stewardship Council®. This course is an independent training service provided by Wildground and Certain BV. It is not delivered by FSC and attendance does not result in FSC certification.
Frequently asked questions
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This course is designed for businesses of all sizes handling wood or paper products that they want to become FSC Chain of Custody certified. It’s aimes at the staff member(s) responsible for implementing and overseeing FSC conformance. We also recommend colleagues from purchasing, production or warehouse, sales and marketing, and finance, because auditors interview staff across the business. Bookings are for businesses only, and you need a valid business VAT number to book.
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No. We start from the basics. However, the more pre-reading you do the more we’ll be able to discuss in depth questions about how to implement a chain of custody system tailored to your company. If you would like to read ahead, we send a short pre-reading list one month ahead of the course date.
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No. The course prepares you for certification, but only an accredited FSC certification body can certify your company, after an audit. Attending the course does not guarantee certification, and the course fee does not include any certification body fees. What it does is help you prepare for FSC certification by understanding the standards you will be audited against and allowing discussion on different practices to conform to FSC requirements.
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The first attendee from your company pays £500. Each additional attendee from the same company pays £375, which is 25% off. Book the first place with the standard ticket, then add the additional attendee ticket for each colleague. We may ask you to confirm that attendees work for the same company.
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The trainers cover the requirements in short sessions. After each, you work through an exercise with other participants, for example checking supplier certificates, spotting problems with supplier documentation at goods-in, or reviewing a invoice and delivery note claims. There’ll be plenty of time to discuss questions specific to your company, to help you think through how to adhere to FSC requirements when you get back to the day job. You’ll also learn from your peers, other attendees who will be implementing similar systems for their companies. You’ll also be provided plenty of follow up resources to support your FSC journey after the training is complete.
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Yes. Each participant who attends receives a Wildground and Certain BV certificate of attendance within five working days. This is not an FSC certificate, and it does not authorise you to use the FSC logo or make FSC claims. It does demonsrate that you’ve attended our FSC course as part of your professional development process and can be provided to your employer as evidence of your succesful completion of our course.
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Cancel up to 14 days before the course for a full refund. Between 14 and 7 days, we offer a transfer to a later date or you can send a colleague in your place at no charge. If we cancel or reschedule, you get a full refund or a place on the next date.
