London Fancy Box becomes first UK rigid packaging producer to achieve FSC and PEFC certification

London Fancy Box (LFB) of Dover, Kent, has become the UK`s first rigid packaging manufacturer to be awarded Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

The company received this accolade in July, demonstrating its commitment to the promotion of responsible management of the world`s forests, for the benefit of its customers and the environment.

The advantages of certification to London Fancy Box (LFB) are substantial. The company says it is  demonstrating to its customers that it buys its paper and board from  sustainable sources, i.e  from sources which are well managed, protected and certified.

LFB is playing its part within the 'chain of custody' process, meaning the company can show where the materials have come from, tracing them back to the forest, through to delivery to the final customer.

FSC and PEPC certification is very much a customer driven process for London Fancy Box, as sales director Drew Dixon explains: “We are an integral part of the supply chain, seeking to work with our customers to offer sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Our products are already very green, so now we are going greener with FSC certification.”

In terms of materials used, all LFB`s rigid board is made of recycled paper and all the rigid board used is FSC certified.

To have been certified means that an independent verification has been made that buyers and users can be assured the products originate from trees which have been harvested legally and come from forests which have been assessed as meeting standards of sustainable management.

To gain certification LFB had to have in place a management system with documented procedures,  identification of critical control points through purchasing, production, sales and distribution and the certified supply of raw materials.

LFB will now be able to use the FSC and PEFC logo on all its rigid packaging. Drew Dixon is certain this will reap immediate dividends: “We are working with our customers  to maximize the opportunities of our certification. Having spent over a year in getting to this point we are keen to promote its advantages , in cooperation with them .”

August 2010