At the Core of Netpak’s Values: Our Environmental Certifications
Originally published on April 25, 2019, this article explains how FSC®, PEFC®, and SFI® certifications support responsible sourcing for folding carton packaging. Current notes have been added to clarify chain of custody, certified fiber claims, and documentation requirements.
FSC®, PEFC®, and SFI® certifications can support responsible sourcing decisions for folding carton packaging.
Environmental certifications need to connect material choice, production, and documentation
Netpak states that FSC, PEFC, SFI, and chain-of-custody options can help brands document responsible sourcing, certified material choices, and sustainability credentials depending on the selected material program.1
Sustainability claims need documentation, not just intent
Consumers are more aware of their environmental impact than ever. Many now want to know where the products they buy come from and how they are made. With access to online information, they can research eco-friendly options and compare companies before buying. To communicate sustainability efforts more clearly, many companies now obtain environmental certifications.
These designations can influence a consumer’s decision to buy a certified product over one that is not certified, as well as a company’s decision to work with a certified supplier rather than an uncertified one.
Netpak is proud to hold environmental certifications that support responsible manufacturing and help demonstrate the company’s commitment to managing the environmental impact of its operations.
For carton packaging, certification value depends on chain of custody and claim-use rules. Brands should confirm the certification program, eligible material, documentation, and logo-use conditions before production.
FSC®, PEFC®, and SFI® in folding carton packaging
These programs are not interchangeable. Each has its own framework, standards, chain-of-custody requirements, and claim rules. The right choice depends on market requirements, customer demand, paperboard availability, and brand documentation needs.
PEFC® certified
The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification promotes sustainable forest management. PEFC reports global coverage across certified forests and chain-of-custody certified companies.2
SFI® certified
SFI is widely used in North America. The SFI Chain-of-Custody Standard tracks certified forest content, certified sourcing, and recycled content through production and manufacturing to the finished product.3
FSC® certified
FSC Chain of Custody certification verifies that FSC-certified forest-based materials are credibly used along the product’s path from the forest to finished goods.4
Forest certifications mainly support sourcing evidence, traceability, and eligible claims. They should not be used to imply total environmental performance without product-specific data on material, production, end of life, and market conditions.
What environmental certifications change in a packaging project
In a folding carton project, environmental certifications should be treated as a technical and documentation requirement from the first packaging brief.
Confirm before requesting pricing
- 1Required program: FSC, PEFC, SFI, or another customer requirement.
- 2Paperboard type, material availability, and claim eligibility.
- 3Need for an on-pack logo or supplier documentation only.
- 4Sales market, retailer requirements, and compliance expectations.
Avoid these claim errors
- 1Using a logo before confirming program rules.
- 2Treating material certification as a broad sustainability proof.
- 3Ignoring chain of custody between supplier, printer, and finished product.
- 4Choosing board after the marketing claim has already been locked.
Certification needs to follow the material into the finished carton
For printed packaging, certification must align with paperboard sourcing, converting, printing, production documentation, and claim-use rules. Certification requirements should be specified before final material selection.
Environmental certifications connect fiber origin, traceability requirements, and folding carton production decisions.
How Netpak supports certified packaging programs
Netpak can help brands align certification requirements, paperboard selection, print constraints, claim rules, and supplier documentation before production.
Paperboard selection
Confirm certified material availability, possible paperboard grades, print performance, finishing constraints, and structural requirements.
Sourcing evidence
Prepare documentation needed to support chain-of-custody expectations, supplier audits, retailer qualification, or internal compliance review.
Design coordination
Plan logo space, claim language, and artwork approval requirements before final print file release.
Request a folding carton review for FSC, PEFC, or SFI requirements
Send Netpak your carton specifications, sales market, FSC, PEFC, or SFI requirements, sourcing goals, artwork files, dieline, volume, and launch timing. Ask for a review covering board selection, traceability, claim rules, printing, finishing, and production readiness.
Continue planning certified folding carton packaging
Use these Netpak resources to refine material selection, certification requirements, production services, and documentation before requesting pricing.
Packaging certifications and compliance
Review Netpak’s quality, food safety, sourcing, colour, and traceability systems for folding carton packaging.
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Paperboard material selection
Compare SBS, SUS, CRB, FBB, URB, and micro-flute for folding carton structure, print quality, compliance, and sourcing.
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Folding carton services
Plan carton design, prepress, printing, finishing, die-cutting, gluing, logistics, and production support.
Open services
Discuss a certified packaging project
Share sourcing requirements, volumes, carton constraints, timing, and documentation needs with Netpak.
Contact NetpakSources
- Netpak, Packaging Quality and Certifications. https://www.netpak.com/en/packaging-services/quality-certifications/
- PEFC, Facts and Figures. https://pefc.org/discover-pefc/facts-and-figures
- SFI, Chain of Custody Standard. https://forests.org/chainofcustodystandard/
- Forest Stewardship Council, Chain of Custody Certification. https://fsc.org/en/chain-of-custody