Certified Chain of Custody
Catalyst has implemented the PricewaterhouseCoopers Independent Chain of Custody Standard (PwC-ICOC™: 2005) at its non-recycle mills. It helps ensure the sustainability of our fibre supplies generally, and establishes a clear link between forest practices that meet demanding third-party standards, and the specific rolls of paper and bales of pulp that customers buy.
The use of the PwC standard allows us to supply select product of any grade with verification that it contains 100% fibre that is either recycled or certified to one of the three main recognized forest-management standards - Canadian Standards Association, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and Forest Stewardship Council.
Our chain of custody system is subject to an external conformance audit and aligns with ISO-certified environmental management systems that are also in place at Catalyst mills. Other key elements of the PwC standard and its implementation at Catalyst include:
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screening out fibre that is illegally logged or that may come from genetically modified trees; |
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minimum thresholds for overall percentages of recycled and/or certified fibre; |
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rigorous fibre-balance accounting requirements; |
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annual surveys (with the potential for audit-based verification of responses) and requirements for assurance statements from fibre suppliers; and |
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quarterly tracking and requirements for prompt notification and corrective actions if there is any non-conformity to the standard. |
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The verification provided to customers takes the form of a management representation letter and copies of the relevant mill operational standard, and the PwC-endorsed (and mill- and product-specific) Chain of Custody Certificate.
In anticipation of access to FSC-certified fibre from the Great Bear Rainforest, we are also working towards company-wide FSC chain-of-custody and controlled-wood certifications.
