FSC Forest Certification Inspection and Audit Services for Warehousing and Factory Inspection

December 4, 2025

Forest certification is a system based on market mechanisms. It is a process where independent third-party institutions, in accordance with established standards, inspect, review and certify the forest management and related production and marketing chains. This system aims to promote sustainable forest management and mainly consists of two categories: forest management certification (Forest Management, FM) and chain of custody certification (Chain of Custody, CoC).
Certification specification content
The certification body conducts factory inspections and performance evaluations on forest management units based on the FSC principles and standards. The main certification items are divided into the following two categories:
Forest Management Certification (FM)
This certification is for forest management and ownership institutions. The certification process involves a comprehensive factory inspection and document review of their forest management plans and actual operations, ensuring that they protect the forest ecology, water quality, wildlife habitats, and also take into account the rights of local communities. To obtain the certification, it is necessary to prove that their business model has long-term economic and management feasibility and must undergo regular supervision and review.
Production and Sales Supervision Chain Certification (CoC)
This certification is targeted at manufacturers, suppliers, and sellers of wood products. The certification covers the entire production chain from forest to finished product, through strict inspection and process verification to ensure that the wood used in the products is traceable and meets standards. The CoC label is divided into three types: 100% FSC-certified wood, partially FSC-certified wood, and 100% post-consumer recycled materials.
Applicable Object

Forest management units: The management institutions for natural forests and planted forests, as well as their supply chain partners.
Wood processing and trading enterprises: All enterprises involved in the production and sales of wood products, such as furniture manufacturing, papermaking, printing, and publishing, must obtain certification to prove the compliance of their raw material sources.
Certification application process
Submit the application for certification
Completing the questionnaire and conducting the initial interview
Pre-inspection and negotiation of the factory visit
Formulate the certification plan.
Document review
Formal on-site evaluation (factory inspection)
Certificate issuance
After certification, you must undergo an annual factory inspection audit. And you need to undergo re-certification every five years.
Certification body
As a standard-setting institution, FSC's certification process requires it to be carried out by a third-party inspection and certification company. For instance, in Taiwan, enterprises can choose institutions such as SGS, BV, and DNV for factory inspections and certifications.
Certification fee
The cost varies depending on the certification agency and the specific circumstances of the enterprise, and is determined by factors such as the scale of operation (whether there are multiple sites, whether outsourcing is involved, etc.) and the type (trader, processing factory, etc.). The exact cost should be determined by directly consulting with the certification company.
The benefits of obtaining certification
As global environmental awareness increases, many international markets have specific requirements for the legality and sustainability of the sources of wood products. Through FSC certification and the corresponding factory inspection and product inspection procedures, enterprises can:
Prove to customers and investors that the timber sources are legal and the business operations are in compliance with international regulations such as the U.S. "Rescue Act".
Obtaining market access advantages and being recognized as an environmentally friendly and socially responsible enterprise will give the company the opportunity to be included in the government procurement lists of developed countries.
By conducting regular factory inspections and supervision, we minimize commercial and environmental risks and safeguard the company's reputation.
Meet the purchasing demands of an increasing number of customers for products with COC certification, and keep pace with the global green business trend.
In summary, forest certification provides enterprises with an effective tool to prove their compliance and sustainability through independent third-party inspections, verifications and audits. It is an important passport for entering the international green market.