What certifications should buyers evaluate when sourcing sustainable packaging?

Buyers sourcing more sustainable packaging should evaluate standards or third-party evidence that match the specific claim being made. Examples include FSC certification for responsible paper sourcing, APR-recognised or tested technologies for North American plastic recycling compatibility, RecyClass recyclability certification or Letters of Compatibility for relevant European applications, and ISO 14001 for a manufacturer’s environmental management system.

FSC certification relates to responsible forest and fibre sourcing and can be relevant to paper label stocks. APR and RecyClass programmes assess plastic packaging or component compatibility with defined recycling streams, but recognition applies to the specific tested technology or certified construction, not automatically to an entire polymer or label category. Buyers should request the exact certificate, recognition, or test evidence that applies to the material being quoted.

ISO 14001 evaluates an organisation’s environmental management system rather than proving that a particular label or package is recyclable. Buyers should therefore avoid treating one certification as evidence for every sustainability claim and should ask which standard supports which component, material, or process. Claims should also be checked against the recycling infrastructure in the market where the finished package will actually be sold.