The Trademark of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a label on timber and wood based products, including paper, which indicates that the wood comes from a well-managed forest. It gives assurance that the forest of origin has been independently inspected and evaluated to comply with an internationally agreed set of strict environmental, social and economic standards. Forest Stewardship Council is supported by high profile organisations including; WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the Woodland Trust.

The Howard Smith Paper Group first achieved its FSC Chain of Custody supplier certification in 2002. For a copy of the Howard Smith Paper Group FSC certificate, go to the Downloads section.

Why should I become FSC certified?

By using FSC labeled products, you can be assured of gaining public recognition of your environmental and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). You can provide independent assurance to customers wishing to buy ethical products that the forests of origin are managed to the highest social and environmental standards.

Increasingly organisations are realising this as an opportunity to grow their business and secure work from organisations who have committed CSR policies.

Web resource for printers, designers and users of print

To further assist printers, designers and users of print understand the benefits and opportunities of using certified material, a unique website resource has been created www.sustainablepaper.co.uk.

How do I become FSC certified?

The Howard Smith Paper Group has developed with a partner organisation, The Print Circle, a web based tool for printers, designers and publishers to understand the process and opportunities of becoming FSC certified. Importantly, this is a competitive and simple solution. An information sheet is available with more details.

For the complete FSC standards 40 004 version 2, go to the Downloads section.

FSC Products

With a comprehensive range of FSC certified products there is a product suitable for every application. Our certified products along with the labeling criteria and claims can be found on our FSC Product Group Schedule, on the Downloads section.

For more details

Additional information sheets about the FSC and how to become certified can be downloaded from the Downloads section.

Useful Links

Chain of Custody microsite for the print and design industry, www.sustainablepaper.co.uk
FSC global website, www.fsc.org
FSC UK website, www.fsc-uk.org