why demands for certified paper products are increasing

The world is increasingly aware of the importance of good forestry and forest conservation. Forests are important in climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and provide the livelihood for millions of people.

This is why invidiual consumers and public procurement policies are asking for assurance that they are supporting responsible forestry when they are buying wood-based products, such as paper.

Today, many national public procurement policies involve preference for FSC and PEFC labelling, and US and EU policies to crack down on illegal timber import also imply increased focus on the documentation for the origin of wood. 

Paper and printed matters are daily commodities, and demands for certified products are high. The paper and printing business community has been quick to follow, and today is a very significant global driver of forest certification.

"Ecolabelling of printed matters has become a matter of course"

Christer Andersson, FSC-certified printing house Elanders AB, Sweden

Importance of the paper and printing industries

Globally, paper and printing industries have a tremendous impact on the world's forests. Around 20% of all harvested wood is used for paper production, and more than 90% of today's paper comes from trees. And paper consumption is increasing - it has doubled since the 1970s!

But the paper and printing industries hold an equal power to support transformation of forestry practices to benefit both people and wildlife, while contributing to climate change mitigation. They can do so by carefully sourcing the raw material for making paper and by ensuring that  any purchased paper derives from responsibly managed forests.

The paper and printing industries are now moving away from their old image of being heavily polluting businesses to become frontrunners in environmental protection innovation and climate change mitigation. Responsible sourcing of paper and pulp is part and parcel of this development and increasingly focused on by the industry as part of its effort to make its business sustainable, manage risks and meet market demands.

By joining the growing community of FSC and PEFC certified printers, publishers,  paper merhcants and paper producers, ýou can help to improve the image of the overall industry as well as your individual business.

"It all started with a bad conscience. As production manager in the graphics business, I took some inititiatives that provided a wider choice for our clients, and as consumer I changed behaviour myself. Active environmental work is basically about care and social responsibility. As buyers, we all have the choice to influence the development" 
 
Henrik Lomholt, Production Manager of Frederiksberg Bogtrykkeri, Denmark, holder of FSC chain of custody certification.

To learn more about market trends for certifed paper and printing industries, please to our links section.