Eco credentials — verified, not claimed
Every printing.uk supplier is assessed against 12 eco credentials before joining the network. FSC certification is mandatory. Every credential is independently verified — not self-declared. Here's exactly what each means, who issues it, and how we check it.
How credentials affect supplier scoring
Credential completeness is one of five components in our supplier performance score. Suppliers are scored across FSC/PEFC (mandatory), environmental management, quality, climate action, energy sourcing and waste — with points assigned for each verified credential.
Credential points are capped at 10 — one of five components in the 100-point supplier performance score.
Forest & Paper
FSC Certified
FSC Chain of Custody
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Chain of Custody certification means the paper used in your print job can be traced all the way back to a responsibly managed forest. The chain-of-custody standard tracks the wood fibre through every step — from forest to pulp mill to paper merchant to printer — ensuring no illegal logging or environmentally destructive practices enter the supply chain.
Paper is the single largest environmental impact in print. FSC CoC is independently audited and internationally recognised — it's the credential most frequently requested in procurement specifications, B Corp applications and sustainability reports.
We check every supplier's FSC certificate number against the FSC public database at info.fsc.org before approving their listing. Certificate numbers are stored against every order and appear on your sustainability report and invoice.
PEFC Certified
PEFC Chain of Custody
PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) is the world's largest forest certification system by area of forest certified. Like FSC, PEFC Chain of Custody certification traces paper fibre from sustainably managed forests through the entire production chain. Many UK printers hold PEFC rather than — or in addition to — FSC certification.
PEFC certification is accepted in the same procurement specifications and sustainability frameworks as FSC. Both are valid routes to verified sustainable paper sourcing — holding both provides the strongest possible assurance.
PEFC certificate numbers are verified against the PEFC public database at pefc.org/find-certified before supplier approval.
Recycled stocks
Recycled paper stocks
Recycled stocks are papers manufactured from post-consumer or post-industrial waste paper. The recycled content is typically expressed as a percentage (e.g. 100% recycled, 50% recycled). The best recycled stocks are also FSC or PEFC certified — ensuring the non-recycled fibre component comes from sustainably managed forests. WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) data shows recycled paper has significantly lower carbon intensity than virgin fibre paper.
Choosing recycled stock instead of virgin fibre reduces the carbon footprint of the paper element of a print job by approximately 60-70%. It also closes the loop on paper recycling — creating market demand for the recovered fibre collected from offices and households.
Suppliers confirm availability of recycled stocks and specify the brands and grades available. Buyers can request recycled stock for any order through the eco spec options on the quote form.
Rainforest Alliance
Rainforest Alliance certified
The Rainforest Alliance certification (formerly Rainforest Alliance and UTZ merged) covers sustainable farming, forestry and tourism practices. In print, it relates to paper sourcing from certified forests with strong biodiversity and community wellbeing standards alongside sustainability. Suppliers can also hold Rainforest Alliance certification for other aspects of their business beyond paper.
Rainforest Alliance certification demonstrates a broader commitment to biodiversity protection and community welfare beyond the technical chain-of-custody requirements of FSC or PEFC.
Certificate verified against the Rainforest Alliance public database.
Environmental Management
ISO 14001
ISO 14001 Environmental Management
ISO 14001 is the international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It requires organisations to systematically identify and control their environmental impacts — energy use, waste, emissions, water, chemical use — and continually improve their performance. Certification is awarded by an accredited third-party auditor and renewed every three years.
ISO 14001 demonstrates that a supplier's environmental commitment isn't just about the paper they buy — it covers their entire operation. A certified printer has documented processes for reducing waste, managing hazardous chemicals, minimising energy consumption and setting measurable environmental targets.
Certificate numbers are checked against the UKAS-accredited certifier's register. Suppliers must provide their certificate on application.
EMAS Registered
EMAS Registered
EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) is a voluntary EU environmental management scheme that goes beyond ISO 14001 — requiring organisations to publish a verified environmental statement with quantified environmental performance data. EMAS registered organisations are audited by an accredited environmental verifier and their statement is publicly available.
EMAS is more demanding than ISO 14001 because it requires public disclosure of actual environmental performance figures — not just the existence of a management system. An EMAS registered printer publishes their energy use, waste, water consumption and emissions data for public scrutiny.
Verified against the EMAS public register at emas.eu.
Quality
ISO 9001
ISO 9001 Quality Management
ISO 9001 is the international standard for Quality Management Systems. It means a supplier has documented processes for consistently delivering products that meet customer requirements. In print this covers colour consistency, stock quality, finishing accuracy and delivery reliability.
A printer holding ISO 9001 has been independently audited on their quality control processes — not just claiming quality, but proving it through a documented system. It correlates strongly with lower error rates and consistent output.
Certificate provided by supplier and checked against the issuing body's register.
Inks & Chemistry
Vegetable-based inks
Vegetable-based / vegan inks
Traditional petroleum-based printing inks release VOCs (volatile organic compounds) during the printing process and are harder to remove during paper recycling. Vegetable-based inks — typically using soy, linseed or other plant oils as the carrier — significantly reduce VOC emissions, are easier to de-ink during recycling, and are derived from renewable resources rather than fossil fuels.
Ink is a significant source of environmental impact in litho printing. Vegetable-based inks make the finished print more recyclable and reduce air quality impacts in the print environment. Some vegan inks are also certified cruelty-free, which matters to certain buyers.
Self-declared by supplier on their profile. We ask suppliers to confirm the specific ink systems they use (brand and product reference) and may request evidence on application.
Climate
Carbon offset programme
Carbon offset / net zero programme
Suppliers with a carbon offset programme measure their operational emissions and purchase verified carbon credits to offset them — typically through Gold Standard or VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) certified projects such as forestry protection, renewable energy or methane capture. Some suppliers go further with Science Based Targets (SBTi) — committing to absolute emissions reductions rather than offsetting.
For buyers targeting Scope 3 emissions reductions or carbon neutrality in their supply chain, choosing a printer on a verified offset programme supports their own reporting. The carbon certificate on every printing.uk order provides the data needed for Scope 3 reporting.
Suppliers provide their offset programme certification reference. We check the project registry (Gold Standard, Verra/VCS) for active status.
Energy
Renewable energy
Renewable energy powered
Printing presses are energy-intensive. A supplier powered by renewable energy — whether through a renewable electricity tariff backed by REGOs (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin), on-site solar, or a corporate PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) — significantly reduces the process emissions associated with their print production.
Press energy is typically the second or third largest carbon impact in print after paper. A renewable-powered press can reduce the carbon intensity of the printing process element by 80-90% compared to a grid-average energy mix.
Suppliers provide their energy supplier's REGO certificate or equivalent evidence of renewable sourcing. On-site renewable generation is verified by roof/ground installation documentation.
Business Ethics
B Corp
B Corp certified
B Corp certification is awarded by B Lab to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. B Corps are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, community and the environment — not just shareholders. The certification covers the entire business, not just individual products or practices.
B Corp is the most comprehensive business-level sustainability credential available. A B Corp printer has been assessed across governance, workers, community, environment and customers — scoring at least 80 points out of 200. For buyers working toward their own B Corp certification, choosing B Corp suppliers directly supports their Scope 3 supplier assessment score.
Verified against the B Corp public directory at bcorporation.net.
Waste
Zero to landfill
Zero waste to landfill
A zero-to-landfill commitment means the supplier diverts 100% of their operational waste from landfill — through recycling, composting, or energy recovery. In print this covers paper offcuts, makeready waste, ink containers, printing plates, packaging, and general operational waste. It requires a robust waste management system and regular audit of waste streams.
Landfill is the least preferable destination for any waste — it produces methane (a potent greenhouse gas) and wastes recoverable materials. A zero-to-landfill printer has taken responsibility for their entire waste stream, not just their paper sourcing.
Suppliers provide a waste transfer note summary or waste management audit demonstrating zero landfill diversion. Some suppliers hold formal zero-to-landfill certification from their waste management contractor.
Can’t find what you need?
Our quote request system covers products not listed here — specialist formats, unusual specifications, very high volumes. Describe what you need and we’ll find the right supplier.