The Green Supply Chain (GSC) describes any process that uses environmentally friendly inputs at each step in the production of the output, so that there is an unbroken “chain” of controlled activities from each raw input to the final product that is purchased by the consumer. It is often called “Chain of Custody”.

Initially, GSC focused on the upstream supply of the materials used in the production process, such as logs or vegetables. In many cases, it was considered as part of the cost that had to be suffered because the penalties for non compliance with environmental pollution control were even higher.

However, the modern business structure uses a whole of business approach with GSC as a major factor leading to innovation, continuous improvement and industry-wide standardization. This applies equally here in Thailand, as the following information taken from a recent Bangkok Post article shows!

For example, improved management of wastes by their conversion into usable by-products (such as bio-fuels) can result in increased profits, as well as less pollution.

In order to be able to show that all aspects of the production process are managed and controlled, a business must have effective documentation and reporting systems in place that are operated by trained staff. Knowing your business well is seen as a valuable head start for maintaining future competitiveness as the costs of materials and energy continue to increase as the world’s population and economy expands.

Thus, GSC can be integrated with safety and cost management systems, so that the focus is not solely on the dollar return in a business, but rather on a triple bottom line outcome involving a consideration of “people, profit and the planet”.

GSC or Chain of Custody is now being considered as just another part of the standard operating procedures of any well-run business.

Australia has developed the Australian Forest Standard, which is an internationally accredited system with all the necessary components to satisfy the GSC standards for all products sourced from the AFS-certified forests.

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The following pdf file has a summary of a part of a chain of custody presentation.

Last updated: 0000-00-00 00:00:00