Chain of custody
Chain of custody is the documented sequence of custody, ownership and transformation of a product from origin to end use, together with the rules (such as identity preservation, segregation or mass balance) that govern how certified or verified material is tracked through each stage.
Also known as: CoC · lot traceability · batch traceability · lot
Why does it matter?
A claim about a product (deforestation-free, certified, from a given cooperative) is only as strong as the chain of custody that carries it. Each handover is a point where material can be mixed, substituted or double counted.
How does it work?
Chain of custody combines:
- A model: identity preserved, segregated or mass balance, which defines what mixing is allowed.
- Units: lots or batches with identifiers.
- Events: purchase, receipt, storage, transformation, shipment, each recorded with date, quantity, location and parties.
- Reconciliation: inputs and outputs balanced at each site, with conversion rates for processing.
- Verification: audits or checks against records.
At the first mile, the chain begins with a purchase from a farmer, linked to the farmer’s registered plots. Under the EUDR, operators must also keep supplier and customer information, and downstream operators keep reference numbers.
Common pitfalls
- Chains that start at the warehouse, not at the farm gate.
- Lot identifiers that change between systems without mapping.
- Records edited without an audit trail.
- No reconciliation, so excess volume goes unnoticed.
Farmer1st records first-mile custody events and passes them to buyers’ systems through its traceability and certification service.
Frequently asked questions
What is a lot?
A lot or batch is a defined quantity of product handled as a unit, with an identifier recorded at each transfer. Lots are the building blocks of chain of custody: plots link to purchases, purchases to lots, and lots to shipments.
Who audits chain of custody?
Under certification standards, accredited certification bodies audit each certified site. Under the EUDR, competent authorities check operators' due diligence, including supply chain information.
Tell us about your supply chain.
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