Compliance · Nº 13 · International
FSC
FSC chain-of-custody for paper labels
Applies to — Paper-based label materials & sustainability claims
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Chain-of-Custody certification traces paper-based materials from responsibly managed forests through every step of production to the finished label. Buyers see three claims — FSC 100%, FSC Recycled, and FSC Mix. Importantly, FSC is certified to the converter or paper mill, not to the material itself, and claims on shipped goods must be documented with the factory’s FSC licence code.
What it is
FSC Chain-of-Custody (CoC) traces paper from responsibly managed forests through production to the finished label, verified by annual third-party audits of certificate validity, material-tracking records, staff training and the segregation of certified from non-certified stock. It is the credible sustainability credential for paper-based label buyers.
The three claims
Buyers may see three FSC label claims: FSC 100% (all fibre from FSC-certified forests), FSC Recycled (all fibre from post-consumer or pre-consumer reclaimed material), and FSC Mix (certified fibre combined with controlled wood or recycled content). Increasingly, brands and retailers require one of these as part of a responsible-sourcing policy.
The certification nuance
FSC certification is issued to converter facilities or paper mills, not to a label material in the abstract — so a supplier cannot commit an FSC claim on behalf of a specific mill without direct confirmation. When you buy FSC, the claim must be documented on invoices and packing lists with the factory’s FSC licence code. Ask for that licence code as your proof.
Common questions
Answered
straight.
What do FSC 100%, Recycled and Mix mean?
FSC 100% is all fibre from FSC-certified forests; FSC Recycled is all fibre from reclaimed material; FSC Mix combines certified fibre with controlled wood or recycled content. All are backed by chain-of-custody certification and annual third-party audits.
How do I prove an FSC claim on my labels?
FSC is certified to the converter or mill, not the material itself. The claim must be documented on invoices and packing lists with the factory’s FSC licence code — ask for that licence code as your proof.
General guidance — not legal advice
This is a plain-English overview to help you ask the right questions — not a legal opinion or a compliance certification. Requirements change and depend on your specific product, market, and packaging. Always confirm with your supplier’s compliance documents and, where it matters, a qualified regulatory advisor.
Official source · FSC — Chain of Custody ↗
Materials facts verified by
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