Reminder | Traceability Fully Upgraded FSC®: GPS Coordinates Now Mandatory
With the full implementation of the EU's Zero Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), timber and paper product exporters are facing a regulatory storm that spans from "standard-setting" to "rigorous enforcement." The previous era of vague, broad-based "approximate sourcing" practices has come to an end, and supply chain scrutiny has now become significantly more stringent.
For companies targeting the European market, possessing an FSC® certification alone may no longer suffice; real-time data accuracy has become the key factor for securing orders.
Traceability requirements need a comprehensive upgrade: all three core elements are essential.
To ensure compliance with EU market access requirements, companies must now provide customers and certification authorities with highly detailed wood traceability information. The following three aspects have become the primary focus of current reviews:
- GPS geographic coordinates: Provide precise latitude and longitude coordinates for the wood source plot, eliminating vague regional descriptions.
- Legitimacy certificate for logging: Accurate records of logging dates and relevant legal documents must be provided to confirm that the raw materials did not result from deforestation activities occurring after December 31, 2020.
- Control measures for high-risk areas: For timber originating from high-risk regions, standard documentation is no longer sufficient; companies are typically required to conduct and implement comprehensive due diligence throughout the entire supply chain.
FSC® is a "plus point," whereas EUDR is the "life-or-death line."
Many companies hold a common misconception: "Just because we have obtained FSC® certification, does that automatically mean we comply with EUDR?" The answer is no. As an international voluntary certification, FSC® focuses on sustainable forest management and practice; whereas EUDR is a mandatory EU regulation aimed at preventing deforestation-derived products from entering the market through precise geographical labeling.
While FSC® certification significantly reduces deforestation risks across supply chains and serves as a crucial foundation for addressing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) requirements, it does not inherently provide the plot-level geographic information required by ESG standards—information that must be precisely linked to each product batch. Consequently, even when using FSC®-certified materials, companies must still trace upstream sources and obtain precise plot coordinates to complete the full due diligence process.
FSC® Trace: A blockchain-based tool accelerating widespread adoption
In response to stringent data requirements, the FSC® Trace blockchain traceability tool is gaining rapid adoption across the industry. This technology enables enterprises to achieve comprehensive supply chain monitoring and real-time traceability, addressing the limitations in data accuracy inherent in traditional paper-based documentation.
This represents not merely an update to tools, but a fundamental imperative for the entire supply chain—export companies must drive digital transformation among their upstream suppliers. Failure to provide accurate GPS coordinates and comprehensive traceability data exposes businesses to significant commercial risks: at best, orders may be canceled and customers lost; at worst, substantial fines or even permanent bans from entering the EU market may follow.
Enterprise Action Guide: From "Certificate Compliance" to "Data Compliance"
In this competitive elimination process, data gaps directly bar companies from entering the EU market. Enterprises are advised to take the following immediate actions:
- Review your product line: Verify whether exported products fall within the EUDR classification scope.
- Map the supply chain: Communicate with upstream forest farms or plantations as early as possible to obtain accurate land parcel information and legal documentation.
- Implement digital tools: Utilize professional platforms such as FSC® Trace to establish an tamper-proof traceability system.
Compliance is not a choice but a matter of survival. Establishing a precise traceability system early on is essential to gain a competitive edge in the emerging green sector of international trade!
About Cotecna Kaixin Certification
Beijing Cotecna Kaixin Certification Co., Ltd. ("BCK") is a third-party certification body accredited by CNAS and ANAB. Focusing on providing certification services covering quality and safety, agri-food products, intellectual property, information security, energy, and sustainability, we have served over 20,000 clients, and remains committed to delivering premium and efficient service to clients, contributing to economic prosperity, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility.