Since its introduction just over a year ago the Forest Stewardship Council‘s (FSC) UK group chain of custody (CoC) scheme has grown from just three members to 115, accounting for more than 1.28 million tonnes of timber.

FSC said the scheme, which makes FSC certification affordable for small businesses, is the largest in the world.

It has attracted members from the south of France to northern Scotland and David Ogg of Independent Forestry, who is currently managing it, plans to expand into the Netherlands, Belgium and Romania.

The scheme covers the supply chain from round timber merchants through sawmills, furniture manufacturers, importers, timber suppliers, a totem pole designer and turner of wooden pens.

FSC-UK director Anna Jenkins said: “We knew that the group CoC would be popular but this has exceeded our expectations.

&#8220We knew that the group chain of custody would be popular but this has exceeded our expectations”

FSC-UK director Anna Jenkins

“Individual costs of certification vary from £900 to £2,000. As part of a group that cost is reduced to as low as £250 per business and the administrative burden is also significantly lessened.”

Mr Ogg said the group CoC scheme was the catalyst that created a surge of interest in his forest management CoC scheme which also offers a practical and affordable route to chain of custody.

The forest management CoC scheme has grown from just six members in February 2002 to 86 covering 31,000 ha at the end of March 2003.