Sustainability labels and packaging regulations come up constantly in print buying — and they're widely misunderstood. Here's what the certifications actually mean and what the UK's packaging rules mean for businesses buying branded print.
What FSC Actually Certifies
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification means the paper's fibre has been tracked from responsibly managed forests through every stage of production — mill, merchant, printer — under an unbroken chain of custody. That last part matters: a valid FSC claim requires every link in the chain to hold its own certificate, not just the forest. It certifies responsible sourcing; it does not by itself mean recycled content (FSC has separate labels for 100% virgin, Mix, and Recycled fibre).
FSC vs PEFC
PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is the other major global scheme. Both certify responsible forestry with chain of custody; FSC is more widely recognised by consumers, while PEFC endorses national certification systems. For most UK print buyers, either label is a sound sustainability signal — the key is that certified stock is standard across our paper range.
UK Packaging EPR: The Short Version for Print Buyers
Since 2025, the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme makes businesses that place packaging on the market pay towards the cost of managing it as waste. In broad terms: larger producers (around £2m+ turnover handling 50+ tonnes of packaging a year) pay fees based on the amount and type of household packaging they supply, while smaller businesses above a lower threshold may need to record and report packaging data without paying full fees. Two practical takeaways for buyers of branded packaging:
- Paper attracts lower EPR base fees than plastic — so switching branded carrier bags and packaging to recyclable paper can reduce both cost exposure and environmental impact.
- Recyclability affects future fees — fee modulation rewards easily-recycled formats, another reason to prefer unlaminated paper.
This is general information, not compliance advice — check your own obligations on GOV.UK's Report Packaging Data service or with a compliance scheme.
What This Means When You Order
Our paper stocks are FSC-certified as standard, our kraft paper bags are unlaminated and kerbside-recyclable (glued paper handles included), and we'll always tell you honestly when a finish — like lamination or foil — affects recyclability. See the full business stationery & publications range.
How to check a certificate claim
An FSC or PEFC logo on a printed piece is only legitimate when the claim can be traced. Each certificate holder has a code, and these are searchable in public databases run by the schemes. FSC chain of custody codes begin with a certifier prefix and the letters COC, and PEFC has its own certificate lookup. If a printer or supplier says a product is certified, you can ask for the certificate code and check that it covers the product category and is current. It is a perfectly reasonable question for a buyer to ask, and a good supplier will answer it without fuss.
Using the logo on your own print
Many people assume that printing on certified paper automatically lets them put the logo on the finished piece. It does not. Putting the logo or a claim on a printed item usually needs the printer to be covered by chain of custody certification and the specific job to be recorded under the scheme's rules, and the logo may need to be approved or follow the scheme's trademark rules. If you want the label on a leaflet, a bag or packaging, raise it at the quote stage, because it affects which stock and which production house can be used. Without it, you can still say the paper comes from responsibly managed sources if that is accurate, but you should not display the logo.
The three FSC label types in plain terms
- FSC 100%: all the fibre comes from FSC-certified forests.
- FSC Mix: a blend of FSC-certified material, recycled material and controlled wood, which is wood checked to avoid specific unacceptable sources.
- FSC Recycled: the fibre is reclaimed material, with the required proportion of recycled content.
For a buyer, the practical difference is that "FSC" alone does not tell you whether the paper has recycled content. If recycled fibre matters to your brand, ask for the exact label type.
Recycled does not always mean certified, and certified does not always mean recycled
These two ideas are often confused. A recycled paper can be uncertified, and a certified paper can be made entirely from virgin fibre. Both can be good choices. The right one depends on what you want to claim, and the best approach is to describe the paper accurately. "Printed on paper from FSC-certified sources" and "printed on recycled paper" are different statements, and each must be true on its own.
Green claims on printed material
Claims such as "eco-friendly", "sustainable" or "green" are vague, and the UK's advertising and consumer rules expect environmental claims to be clear and backed up with evidence. The Competition and Markets Authority published its Green Claims Code, which sets out principles including that claims should be truthful and accurate, clear and unambiguous, and should not leave out or hide important information. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 also gave the CMA stronger direct enforcement powers over consumer law, which includes misleading environmental claims. For a business printing a statement on a bag or leaflet, the practical advice is to be specific and modest. Say what is true of the product, such as the type of paper or the fact that a bag is plain paper without a plastic coating, and avoid sweeping statements you could not prove.
Packaging that print buyers often overlook
EPR concerns packaging, so it helps to think about what counts. Items that carry or protect goods, such as bags, boxes, mailers and wrapping, can be packaging. Printed leaflets, business cards and brochures are generally not packaging, although an item packed with them is. The detail of what falls inside the rules is set by the regulations, so the safest approach is to check the official GOV.UK guidance on packaging for your own situation, particularly when your business sells goods to consumers in branded bags or boxes.
Printing choices can still change the picture. Lamination, plastic windows, foil and plastic films can make an item harder to recycle. A plain paper item with water-based coatings is generally easier to recycle in the UK. If you are considering a branded bag or box, a simple question for the supplier is what the item is made from and whether any part is plastic or mixed material.
A simple checklist before you order certified or recycled print
1. Decide what you want to claim, if anything: certified, recycled, recyclable, or nothing at all.
2. Ask the supplier for the certificate code or the exact paper description.
3. Check whether the logo may be used on the finished item, and say so when you ask for a quote.
4. Keep any certificate or specification document for your records.
5. Have someone read the wording of any environmental statement before it is printed.
Does FSC paper cost more or perform differently?
Certified paper performs like any other paper of the same grade. On the question of cost, ask the supplier for a quote for your own job, since it depends on the stock and the quantity.
Is PEFC better than FSC?
Neither is better in every case. They are different schemes with different standards and governance. Both aim to promote responsible forestry. Which label your customers recognise, and which stock is available for your job, are the practical points.
Do I need to worry about EPR for flyers and cards?
Generally these are printed material, not packaging, so they are treated differently from bags and boxes. Rules can change and your own circumstances matter, so read the current GOV.UK guidance or ask a compliance scheme about your specific products.
Is kerbside recycling the same everywhere?
No. Local authorities in the UK collect different materials, so the same item may be accepted in one area and not another. For that reason, a printed instruction such as "check local recycling" is more accurate than a blanket statement about recyclability.
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