FSC and sustainable packaging certifications explained

Sustainability claims are now one of the most visible parts of packaging, and one of the most scrutinised. Regulators in the US, UK and EU are cracking down on vague or unsupported environmental claims, and customers are increasingly sceptical. Certifications such as FSC can help, but only if they are used correctly. This guide explains what FSC and other common certifications mean, how chain of custody works, and how to make environmental claims on packaging that you can back up.

It is general guidance, not legal advice. Certification schemes have their own rules, and environmental claims law is developing quickly. Check the official sources linked below and confirm your claims with your adviser and certification body.

What FSC is

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international, non-profit organisation that sets standards for responsible forest management. FSC certification applies to two stages:

• Forest management certification confirms that a forest is managed to FSC's standards.
• Chain of custody (CoC) certification tracks FSC-certified material from the forest through every company that processes or trades it, to the final product.

For packaging, chain of custody is what matters most. It is what allows a box or label to carry an FSC claim.

The three FSC labels

FSC uses three main product labels:

• FSC 100%: all the virgin material comes from FSC-certified forests.
• FSC Mix: the product is made from a mixture of material from FSC-certified forests, recycled material and/or FSC controlled wood. This is the most common label on packaging.
• FSC Recycled: the product is made from recycled material only, either post-consumer or pre-consumer.

Each label includes the FSC logo, the label type, a short description and a licence code that identifies the certificate holder.

How chain of custody works for packaging

For a box to carry an FSC label, every organisation in the supply chain that takes legal ownership of the material generally needs to be FSC chain of custody certified. For a typical printed box, that usually includes:

1. the paper or board mill
2. any merchant or distributor that buys and resells the board
3. the printer or packaging manufacturer that converts it into boxes

If the chain is broken, for example because the packaging manufacturer is not certified, the finished packaging cannot carry an FSC label, even if the board itself was FSC certified.

What this means for brands

• If you want the FSC logo on your packaging, ask your packaging supplier whether they hold FSC chain of custody certification and can supply FSC-labelled products.
• Brand owners who only buy finished packaging and do not take ownership in between may be able to use the label under the supplier's certificate, or may need a trademark licence to use FSC marks in their own marketing. FSC's rules set out the options.
• Artwork with the FSC label is usually approved by the certificate holder's certification body before printing.

Other common certifications and marks

PEFC

The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is another international forest certification system. It works in a similar way to FSC, with forest management and chain of custody certification, and its own labels.

Recycled content claims

Statements such as "Made from 70% recycled board" are not certifications in themselves, but they must be accurate and supported by evidence. Some schemes certify recycled content.

Recyclability labels

Several countries have recycling labelling schemes. In the UK, the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme is widely used. The EU's new packaging rules are expected to introduce harmonised recycling labels in future. Recyclability claims should match what is actually recyclable where the packaging will end up.

Compostable claims

"Compostable" claims usually need to meet a recognised standard, such as EN 13432 for industrial composting in Europe, and should specify whether home or industrial composting applies.

The law on green claims

Environmental claims on packaging are covered by consumer protection law in most markets, and rules have tightened recently.

United States: FTC Green Guides

The Federal Trade Commission's Green Guides explain how to make environmental claims that are not deceptive. Key principles include:

• avoid unqualified general claims such as "eco-friendly" or "green", which are hard to substantiate
• qualify claims clearly, for example by specifying which part of the packaging is recyclable
• only claim recyclable if recycling facilities are available to a substantial majority of consumers where the product is sold, or qualify the claim
• have competent and reliable evidence for every claim

United Kingdom: Green Claims Code

The Competition and Markets Authority's Green Claims Code sets out six principles: claims must be truthful and accurate, clear and unambiguous, not omit or hide important information, make fair and meaningful comparisons, consider the full life cycle of the product, and be substantiated. The CMA has also been given stronger enforcement powers under recent consumer law.

European Union

The EU has adopted Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition, which amends EU consumer law to ban certain practices, including generic environmental claims that cannot be substantiated by recognised excellent environmental performance, and sustainability labels not based on certification schemes or established by public authorities. Member states must apply the new rules from 2026. The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation also introduces new requirements on packaging design, recyclability and labelling, phased in over several years.

Making claims you can defend

1. Be specific. "Box made from FSC Mix board" or "80% recycled board" is better than "eco-friendly packaging".
2. Keep the evidence. Certificates, supplier declarations and calculations should be on file before the claim is printed.
3. Match the claim to the component. If the box is recyclable but the plastic window is not, say so or remove the window.
4. Check the local reality. Recyclability depends on local collection and processing.
5. Avoid implied claims. Green leaves and earth imagery can imply environmental benefits on their own.
6. Review regularly. Rules and supply chains change; recheck claims when you reprint.

Designing more sustainable packaging

Certifications are only one part of sustainable packaging. Often the biggest gains come from design:

• Right-size the box to reduce material and shipping volume.
• Avoid mixed materials such as plastic windows, heavy laminates and glued foam inserts where possible.
• Choose recycled or certified board suited to the product's strength and food contact needs.
• Use collapsible rigid boxes for premium products to reduce freight volume.
• Design for reuse where it makes sense, such as rigid boxes customers keep.

Common mistakes with FSC and green claims

• Printing the FSC logo without a certified supply chain. If any company that owns the material along the way is not certified, the label cannot be used.
• Using an old or wrong licence code. Every FSC label needs the correct code for the certificate holder.
• Applying the logo to the whole pack when only part qualifies. If the box is FSC but the insert or tray is not, make the scope clear.
• Copying the logo from the internet. FSC labels should be generated through the certificate holder's access to FSC's label tools and approved.
• Generic claims. "Eco-friendly", "green" or "planet-friendly" without specific, substantiated support.
• Claiming recyclable for mixed materials. A box with a laminated plastic window or a glued foam insert may not be recyclable in practice.
• Imagery that implies more than the evidence supports. Leaves, globes and earth tones can create an environmental claim by themselves.

Questions to ask your packaging supplier

1. Do you hold FSC or PEFC chain of custody certification? Can you share the certificate number?
2. Can you supply this order as FSC Mix, FSC 100% or FSC Recycled?
3. What recycled content does the board have, and can you provide a declaration?
4. Are the coatings, laminates and adhesives compatible with paper recycling?
5. Can you suggest alternatives to plastic windows, foam inserts or heavy laminates?
6. Who will approve the FSC label on the artwork before printing?

How we help

We design packaging and make rigid and printed boxes in our own factory, and can use recycled and FSC-certified materials where available. We will confirm what certification and labels are possible for your specific order before production, and lay out the environmental information you confirm. We do not certify materials or decide which claims are lawful; final review stays with you and your adviser.

See our sustainable packaging design and box packaging design services, or get a free quote for your packaging.

Official sources

• FSC: Labels
• FSC: Chain of custody certification
• PEFC
• FTC: Green Guides
• GOV.UK: Green Claims Code
• EUR-Lex: Directive (EU) 2024/825 on empowering consumers for the green transition

Need this on your packaging?

• Sustainable Packaging Design →
• Box Packaging Design →

Popular box styles: Mailer Box, Collapsible Rigid Box, Folding Carton

Get a Free Quote

Questions

What do FSC 100%, FSC Mix and FSC Recycled mean?

FSC 100% means all material comes from FSC-certified forests; FSC Mix combines certified, recycled and controlled material; FSC Recycled means recycled material only.

Can I print the FSC logo if my box is made from FSC board?

Only if every company in the chain that takes ownership of the material is certified, and the label is used under a valid licence and FSC's trademark rules.

What makes an environmental claim acceptable?

It should be specific, accurate and backed by evidence. The FTC Green Guides, the UK Green Claims Code and new EU rules all warn against vague claims.

Is recycled board always better?

Often, but not always. The right choice depends on strength, food contact and the recycling system where the packaging ends up.