Forest Stewardship Certification® (FSC) is a term often referred to in the packaging industry.

But what is it, and more importantly, what does it mean to our business and our customers.

What is FSC?

According to the website, FSC® ‘promotes responsible management of the world’s forest via timber certification.’

Founded in 1994, FSC has grown to become the world’s most respected and widespread forest certification.

To give an impression of size and stature: (*taken from FSC website)

• 160 million hectares of forest are certified to FSC standards
• 50,000 companies hold FSC chain of custody certification
• 1000 companies hold a promotional licence
• 1000 organisations are FSC members

What does it mean to our business?

Being a FSC certified company we can help to shape the future of responsible forest management and protect our supply chain integrity.

It shows our commitment to the responsible sourcing of our raw materials and our own goals and values as a business.

It means that the forests, from which materials are taken to make paper and ultimately the paper that we turn into corrugated board, is responsibly managed.

This promotes the recyclability and sustainability of our paper, corrugated board and cases, making them a wise and responsible choice for our customers, committed to establishing and upholding their own corporate sustainability goals.

What does it mean to our customers?

Having FSC certification reassures our customers they are buying raw material or products from a business that has a globally recognised, responsible supply chain.

Whilst corrugated is a recyclable material, purchasing board or cases that are certified guarantees they are made from 100% recycled fibre or fibre sourced from responsibly managed forests.

Our products are made of material from well-managed FSC®-certified forests, recycled materials, and other controlled sources.

There are two parts to the FSC® system both of which support our customers and their CSR policies.

Forest Management Certification, which makes sure that the forest is managed to high standards covering social, environmental, and economic issues.

Chain of Custody Certification, which from forest to end-user ensures that FSC® materials and products have been checked at every stage of processing so that customers purchasing FSC® labelled products can be confident that they are genuinely FSC® certified.

Chain of Custody documents the path taken by raw materials from the forest to the final consumer. It includes all stages of manufacture, transportation, and distribution, and identifies the movement of the product from one link in the supply chain to the next. It is achieved by each link in the chain having a management system that can demonstrate how certified paper products are identified and controlled throughout the time that the product is in ownership.

Dominic Drew, Group Managing Director, Board24 commented; “FSC certification is an intrinsic part of our core business operations and shows our ongoing commitment to providing responsibly sourced raw materials from properly managed forests.

“We would encourage anyone sourcing paper, corrugated board or packaging to ensure their chosen supplier has this certification so we can continue to protect and replenish our forests with a clear direction and vision for the future that protects one of the world’s greatest assets.”

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