What are FSC/PEFC?

FSC = Forest Stewardship Council.
PEFC = Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

Independent, international, environmentally and socially oriented forest organizations.

The intent of FSC/PEFC system is to stimulate sustainable, well managed forestry, to preserve biodiversity and wild life, to respect human rights and to eliminate habitat destruction and water pollution.

Their trademarks are very well established. High brand recognition at consumer level.

Carrying the logo’s provides international recognition to organizations that support the growth of responsible forest management.

Certified product details

For the production of these certified grades, only 100% FSC / PEFC certified pulp is allowed to be used by our suppliers

This aspect does not change any technical property, so products can be considered as fully identical to the non- certified products in terms of performance in application. No re-qualification process is therefore needed.

Certified products can only be slit in Luxembourg. Therefore shipments of the certified slit reels only available from Luxembourg site or after storage in our DC’s

Certified pulp is more expensive compared to non-certified pulp. Also this involves extra administration, inventory, handling and transportation costs. We do need to request a 5% upcharge versus non-certified products.
 

Only when the customer site is also Chain of Custody Certified, can they pass on the FSC / PEFC Pure logo onto the labels , to their endusers.
Big endusers stimulate FSC/PEFC demand , because of the increasingly positive brand image of the logo’s at consumer level.

Q&A

Q: What’s the difference between FSC and PEFC?
A: They are two independent organisations, having similar goals: to promote responsible forestry. PEFC is an umbrella organisation for the mutual recognition of national or regional certification schemes. FSC is an international non-governmental organisation.

Q: Which one is most important and influencing?
A: They both have very similar objectives, and we believe they are equally important. It seems though that the FSC logo has a higher recognition amongst consumers, and it’s organisation is best known.

Q: Why does RME have only 3 products? Can we not deliver all products certified?
A: The offer of certified papers is limited at this moment. By far, not all paper suppliers are ready to be certified. In the future, we will extend our range.

Q: Why is there an up charge?
A: Certified pulp is more expensive than non-certified pulp. This is a demand and supply situation. Additional to that, there is higher cost, such as separate inventory and extra administrational cost.