Key Packaging Standards & Certifications Reference Guide
Validating Your Claims: From Forest to Factory
Leverage established industry standards and third-party certifications to validate your sustainability claims, meet supply chain requirements, and access high-integrity sustainable materials. This guide details the key accreditations that shape the packaging landscape.
Core Material Sourcing and Traceability
🌲 Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certification
The cornerstone of responsible paper-based sourcing.
-
What it is: The global standard ensuring paper and board materials come from forests managed according to strict environmental, social, and economic criteria.
-
Why it Matters: Allows you to use the FSC logo, a visible mark of commitment that ensures traceability and combats deforestation.
Other Essential Design & Regulatory Standards
A quick reference to other standards that govern design, testing, and materials:
-
ISO 18601–18606: Environmental standards setting requirements for packaging reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and composting.
-
ASTM D Standards: Defines universal testing methods for evaluating packaging durability (drop tests, compression, vibration).
-
REACH Regulation (EC 1907/2006): Controls chemical safety and the use of hazardous substances in packaging materials within the EU.
-
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP): Prevents contamination and ensures general hygiene and quality in packaging production environments.
Specialised Sector Certification Requirements
In addition to the general packaging standards listed above, many sectors are governed by specialised certification bodies that impose packaging requirements tailored to their values and product types.
| Specialised Certification Body | Sector Focus | Key Packaging Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Association Certification | Organic Products (Food, Beauty, Textiles). | Updated Standards: Bans specific harmful chemicals (e.g., PFAS), requires high levels of recycled content, and demands detailed material traceability. |
| Red Tractor Assurance | UK Farm-to-Pack Food Supply Chains. | Hygiene & Traceability: Ensures packaging materials align with strict hygiene, environmental stewardship, and full supply chain traceability standards. |
These bodies often require additional documentation, material disclosures, and compliance forms beyond mainstream standards. Brands operating in these sectors should consult the relevant certification guides to ensure packaging meets both regulatory and ethical expectations.
Quality, Safety, and Environmental Systems
| Standard | Core Focus | Why It Matters for You | Our Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRCGS Packaging Materials | Product Safety & Legal Compliance. Global benchmark ensuring packaging is safe, legally compliant, and quality-assured (especially for food contact materials). | Provides assurance that our processes minimize risk of contamination and meet international quality benchmarks. | We operate in full adherence to BRCGS guidelines. Any BRCGS certification requirement is handled via our network of certified external partners. |
| ISO 9001 | Quality Management System. Ensures consistent product quality and documented processes from order to delivery. | Guarantees reliability and reduces the risk of specification errors in your packaging orders. | We are fully certified to ISO 9001 standards. |
| ISO 14001 | Environmental Management System. Provides a framework for measuring, monitoring, and continuously reducing a company's environmental impact. | Gives you confidence that your supplier is actively working to minimize waste, energy, and resources. | We follow ISO 14001 guidelines as part of our sustainability strategy and are actively working towards full certification. |
These management system standards ensure that the manufacturing process is safe, consistent, and environmentally responsible.
Ready for the Technical Deep Dive?
Your product requires more than a standard box; it requires an engineered solution. Don't risk compliance failures or underperforming materials in your supply chain. Our team is ready to analyse your technical specifications and collaborate on the optimal packaging strategy.
-
Global EPR Explained
-
Plastic Tax Impact Analysis
-
Regional Law Updates Mapped
-
Expert Guidance, Clear Strategy
Stay ahead of shifting regulations with expert insights into Global EPR, Plastic Tax, and packaging legislation. Our guidance helps you adapt, comply, and lead with confidence.
-
Technical Standards
-
Curated White Papers Archive
-
Operational Templates for Teams
-
Secure Access, Future-Proof Tools
Unlock a secure library of technical standards, white papers, and templates designed to streamline operations and safeguard your business against evolving compliance demands
-
Best Practice Audit Framework
-
TCO Insights Driving Efficiency
-
Risk Hotspots Identified Early
-
Clear Roadmaps for Compliance
Unlock a proven framework for TCO and regulatory audits. Identify risks, streamline operations, and enhance efficiency with a structured, best‑practice approach tailored to modern compliance demands.
-
Direct Access to Experts
-
Fast Answers, Clear Guidance
-
Technical Challenges Resolved
-
Reliable Support, Anytime Needed
Facing a technical challenge? Connect directly with our audit specialists for tailored support, or browse our FAQ for fast, reliable answers that keep your operations running smoothly.