Meaning
Sequential records track the movement of material through every stage of the supply chain to ensure traceability. Chain of custody documentation verifies that the mass balance or physical segregation of recycled content remains intact across multiple transactions. It provides a transparent link between the environmental claims of a resin and its actual origin.
Certification validity ends if the material is blended with uncertified stocks without a mass balance credit.
Traceability Requirement
Auditors use these files to verify that no unaccounted-for material entered the production stream. Chain of custody documentation includes invoices, bills of lading, freight dockets and certificates of analysis. If a gap appears in these records, the final product cannot carry a certified recycled content label.
Mass Balance Logic
The flow of certified material is balanced against the volume of finished parts leaving the factory. Chain of custody documentation ensures that a moulder does not sell more recycled product than the amount of regrind or virgin recycled resin they purchased. This accounting prevents the double counting of environmental benefits.
Digital systems now automate much of this tracking to reduce human error in the ledger.
Verification Risk
Incomplete records lead to the loss of certification status and potential legal liability. Chain of custody documentation protects a brand from accusations of greenwashing by providing a verifiable path for every kilogram of plastic used.
