Make Chain of Custody Travel With Your Delivery
If the proof is not riding with the shipment, it might as well not exist. Treat FSC claims and recycled content like steel mill certs, tucked into every pallet, noted on every invoice, and mirrored in a digital trail that survives jobsite chaos.
Think mill certs, but for sustainability
Steel ships with a mill test certificate that ties heat number to grade and spec. Environmental claims deserve the same treatment, so every delivery carries the evidence that backs marketing copy with compliance teeth.
What counts as proof
For FSC, put the site’s Chain of Custody code and the exact claim type on the paperwork. That means FSC 100 percent, FSC Mix with credit or percentage method, or FSC Recycled, and the supplier’s legal entity name that matches the certificate.
For recycled content, attach a statement that names pre consumer and post consumer percentages, describes the accounting method, and references the production site. When available, back the statement with supplier attestations or material recovery facility records.
Paper flow that survives the jobsite
Shipments get split, reboxed, and sometimes soaked. Build redundancy. Put claims on the packing slip and the invoice, include a QR code that points to an archived PDF, and send the same packet by email at shipment confirmation.
We recommend a static URL that never changes for a given SKU, lot, and ship date, so submittals and audits are not chasing ghosts.
Avoid the three common pitfalls
First, the wrong FSC claim on the invoice even if the product label was correct. Second, a recycled percentage stated for a corporate average when the project required site specific content. Third, expired or out of scope certificates that looked fine at a glance.
How EPDs and chain of custody fit together
An EPD quantifies impacts, it does not prove legal sourcing or recycled content input. Chain of custody and recycled documentation prove provenance, the EPD proves performance. Together they help earn specification and reduce substitution risk.
The jobsite needs simple, auditable fields
Include these fields on delivery paperwork and in the digital packet.
- Manufacturer legal name and shipping site address
- Product identifier, lot or heat number, quantity, and ship date
- FSC certificate code and claim type, if applicable
- Recycled content statement with pre and post consumer percentages and accounting method
- Link or QR to archived proof documents and current certificates
Keep formatting consistent so project teams can scan and file in seconds, not hours.
Ownership inside the manufacturer
Order management owns insertion of the fields into order acknowledgements and invoices. Shipping adds the packet to the carton and confirms the QR points to the right archive. Sustainability and quality review templates quarterly so drift does not creep in.
Commercial upside, plain and simple
Submittals move faster when evidence is attached to the shipment, not requested later. Faster submittals mean fewer RFIs and fewer chances to be swapped out for a competitor that arrived with clean paperwork. This reduces friction in pay apps and helps win the next spec alot.
Tie the proof to the product, every time
Treat chain of custody and recycled content paperwork like a safety checklist. If it is not on the pallet, in the envelope, and in the cloud, it is not real for the project. Make the proof travel with the product and you will spend more time selling and less time explaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the minimum FSC details that must appear on delivery documents to support a chain of custody claim?
Include the supplier's legal name that matches the certificate, the FSC Chain of Custody certificate code (for example, FSC-Cxxxxx), and the precise claim type such as FSC 100%, FSC Mix Credit or Percentage, or FSC Recycled.
What should a recycled content statement include to be audit ready?
State pre-consumer and post-consumer percentages, the accounting method used, and the production site. When possible, attach supplier attestations or material recovery facility records to corroborate the claim.
Does an EPD prove recycled content or FSC sourcing?
No. An EPD quantifies environmental impacts across a defined scope, but it does not establish legal sourcing or recycled input. Chain of custody and recycled content documents provide that provenance.
How can we ensure paperwork survives jobsite chaos?
Mirror claims across the packing slip and invoice, include a QR code to a stable archive, and email the same packet at shipment confirmation.
About the Author
Eric works at the intersection of sustainability, regulation, and business strategy, helping manufacturers navigate the evolving landscape of EPDs and LCAs. Having spoken with hundreds of teams across North America, brings a deep understanding of what drives ROI, what regulators are asking for, and how companies can stay ahead with smart, scalable approaches to environmental reporting.
