ISO 14001 is about how the supplier runs their business. Here's what it actually means — and what it doesn't.
ISO 14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems. Unlike FSC which is about the paper itself, ISO 14001 is about how the supplier operates.
What it covers
An ISO 14001 certified printer has demonstrated they have systems to: identify significant environmental impacts, set measurable targets for reducing them, monitor progress, respond to environmental incidents, and continuously improve environmental performance.
What it doesn’t mean
ISO 14001 doesn’t specify what environmental targets must be — only that they must exist and be monitored. A certified supplier might have modest targets. It also says nothing about the paper they use. FSC and ISO 14001 are complementary — both are worth looking for.
How to verify
Ask for the certificate number and certification body. Verify UK ISO certifications through UKAS at ukas.com. At printing.uk, ISO 14001 is one of the credentials we check when verifying suppliers.
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