FSC Certificate Search: How to Check Certificate Validity and Suppliers

To run an FSC certificate search, go to FSC's official FSC Certificates Public Dashboard, enter a certificate code, an FSC-C licence code or a company name, then open the certificate detail page to check its status, validity and the list of certified products.

This guide walks through each step, explains how to read the results and lists what to check when verifying a supplier's FSC certificate.

Updated October 2026: The former info.fsc.org database has been offline since February 2022. The official tool is now the FSC Certificates Public Dashboard. FSC is also testing a new tool, FSC Search, in public Beta.

1. Why Check an FSC Certificate?

An FSC certificate only counts when it is valid and covers the exact products being bought or sold. An FSC certificate check on the official database helps businesses:

• Verify suppliers: confirm that wood, paper and packaging suppliers hold a genuine, valid FSC certificate with the right scope before placing orders.

• Protect the chain of custody: invalid inputs can prevent a company from making FSC claims on its own products. See also: what is chain of custody.

• Check their own data: confirm that the company name, address and product list on their own certificate are correct before sharing it with customers.

• Meet customer requirements: many importers ask suppliers to prove their certificate is valid throughout the delivery period.

2. Official FSC Certificate Search Tools

Note: Always check on FSC's own website. Do not rely on a screenshot or PDF certificate sent by a supplier, as it does not show the certificate's current status.

3. How to Use the FSC Certificate Public Dashboard

Step 1: Open the FSC Certificates Public Dashboard

Go to FSC Public Search – Certificate Data and open the FSC Certificates Public Dashboard. It may take a few seconds to load.

Step 2: Enter a Search Term

Type any one of the following into the search box. Partial text works:

• License Code: FSC-C followed by six digits, e.g. FSC-C123456 (illustrative).

• Certificate Code: certification body code – certificate type – number, e.g. XXX-COC-123456 (illustrative).

• Organization Name or Local Name.

The FSC-C licence code usually appears on product labels and company materials. The certificate code is usually printed on invoices and delivery notes.

① Search box: enter the FSC-C licence code, certificate code or organization name · ② Filter by certificate status · ③ Filter by certificate type · ④ Check Cert Status and the Valid To date

Step 3: Filter and Select the Right Result

Use the additional filters if there are many results: certificate status, certification body, certificate type, country/area. When searching by name, check the address carefully, as several companies may have similar names.

Step 4: Open the Certificate Detail

Right-click the result (on a phone, press and hold) and choose Drill through → Certificate Detail. The detail page shows the certificate information, the product list and, for group certificates, the group members. Long lists can be expanded with the Focus mode icon at the top right.

① Right-click the result row · ② Choose Drill through → Certificate Detail · ③ Certificate status and validity · ④ List of certified products

Saving the result: The dashboard has no print or export function. To keep evidence of the check, take a dated screenshot, or use FSC Search to download a time-stamped PDF.

4. How to Read the Results

4.1. Certificate Status

Besides the status column (Cert Status), check the Valid To column to see when the certificate expires.

(Status filter checked on the dashboard on 18 October 2026: Suspended, Terminated, Terminated and blocked, Valid.)

4.2. Certificate Type

• CoC (Chain of Custody): for companies that process, manufacture or trade wood, paper and packaging products. This is the most common type for Vietnamese manufacturers.

• FM (Forest Management): for forest owners and managers.

• CW (Controlled Wood): related to controlled material sources.

For the basics of the standard, see the 10 principles of the FSC standard.

4.3. Product List

Holding an FSC certificate does not mean every product of that company is certified. On the detail page, check that the product you intend to buy is on the product list with the right claim type.

5. Supplier FSC Certificate Verification Checklist

Before ordering or receiving products with an FSC claim, purchasing teams should check five points:

1. The certificate code is genuine: it can be found on the FSC Public Dashboard or FSC Search.

2. The legal entity matches: the name and address on the certificate match the supplier issuing your invoice.

3. It is valid throughout the delivery period: the status is Valid at the time of purchase and delivery.

4. The product scope is correct: the product is on the certificate's product list.

5. The documents are correct: the invoice or delivery note shows the supplier's certificate code and the FSC claim for each product, such as FSC 100%, FSC Mix x%, FSC Mix Credit, FSC Recycled x%, FSC Recycled Credit or FSC Controlled Wood.

If any point fails, hold products with FSC claims and ask the supplier for a written explanation. If the product list on the dashboard appears to be wrong, ask the issuing certification body for confirmation.

Need to control FSC-certified inputs?

6. Monitor Supplier Certificates Automatically

Companies that already hold an FSC certificate can use Certificate Status Watch in the FSC Trademark Portal:

• Add suppliers' certificates to a watch list using their FSC-C… licence codes.

• Receive an email when a listed certificate is suspended or terminated (after a 14-day grace period).

• Export the watch list as a CSV file.

Portal access is provided to certificate holders by their certification body.

7. FSC Certificate Not Found: Causes and Next Steps

• Typing errors: search with part of the code or a shorter name.

• Vietnamese names: try the name without diacritics, the English name or the abbreviation.

• Newly issued certificate: the data may not be updated yet. Ask the supplier for confirmation from the certification body.

• The certificate does not exist or was terminated long ago: do not treat the supplier as FSC certified until it can be verified.

The list of accredited FSC certification bodies is published by Assurance Services International (ASI).

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Is the FSC certificate search free? Yes. Both the FSC Certificates Public Dashboard and FSC Search are free and need no account.

What is the difference between an FSC-C code and a certificate code? The FSC-C… licence code identifies a company when it uses the FSC trademarks and usually appears on product labels. The certificate code (e.g. XXX-COC-…) belongs to the certificate issued by the certification body and appears on sales documents. Both lead to the same company in the search.

Does info.fsc.org still work? No. It has been offline since February 2022. The official tool is the FSC Certificates Public Dashboard, and FSC Search is in Beta.

How long is an FSC CoC certificate valid? An FSC CoC certificate is valid for five years, with regular surveillance audits during that period. That is why the status should be checked at the time of each transaction, not only the expiry date on the certificate.

Can a company print the FSC code on products without a certificate? No. Only companies with a valid certificate or a valid trademark licence may use FSC labels and claims. For requirements and process, see FSC CoC certification: process and costs.

9. Conclusion

An FSC certificate search on the FSC Certificates Public Dashboard takes only a few minutes, but the result must be read in full: status, certificate type, product list, and a cross-check against the supplier's documents. For packaging, paper and wood product exporters, this is an essential input control that protects the FSC claims on their own products. See also: the strategic role of FSC CoC for packaging manufacturers.

Preparing for FSC CoC certification?