Turn your packaging into a sustainability statement with PEFC

Packaging is often the first thing your customers see. In fact, around 70% of purchasing decisions are made at the point of sale. Using PEFC‑certified packaging shows buyers that your products support sustainable forests and ethical supply chains. 

Research by PEFC also found that 81% of consumers prefer products with sustainability labels and 70% are more likely to purchase such products. With PEFC, you can turn packaging into a powerful statement for people and planet.

Choose your pathway

Select the option that best fits your role in the packaging ecosystem:

Why choose PEFC? Benefits at a glance

• Earn consumer trust: Certification labels are the most trusted source of sustainability information.
• Secure your supply: PEFC is the world’s largest source of certified forests, covering over 300 million ha.
• Comply with legislation: Chain of Custody certification aligns with EUTR, the Lacey Act and other regulations.
• Deliver climate and social benefits: Sustainable forest management protects biodiversity and mitigates climate change while respecting workers and indigenous communities.
• Promote circularity: Combining PEFC‑certified virgin fibres with recycled materials helps meet demand without harming forests.

Rethink Packaging: The PEFC-certified advantage

Packaging isn’t just a container, it’s often the first thing your customer sees, and it can be a powerful tool for sustainability. By choosing PEFC‑certified materials, you ensure that the fibres in your packaging come from responsibly managed forests, recycled sources or controlled materials. This choice delivers tangible benefits:

• Protect forests from deforestation: Sustainably managed forests maintain healthy ecosystems for future generations, providing renewable raw materials.
• Combat climate change: Forests act as carbon sinks; products made from certified wood store carbon and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Empower communities: PEFC standards safeguard fair labour practices and support livelihoods in forest‑dependent communities.
• Preserve biodiversity: Certification protects habitats for countless plant and animal species.
• Foster circular economies: Combining PEFC‑certified virgin fibres with recycled content helps meet demand for packaging without depleting forests.
• Ensure transparency: PEFC Chain of Custody certification tracks materials from the forest to the final product, giving you and your customers confidence in your supply chain.

Take the first step today:

A forest-centric approach to responsible packaging: The Three Rs

	PEFC‑certified forests are managed so that every harvested tree is replaced, either naturally or through replanting. This makes virgin fibres a truly renewable resource. Certification also requires responsible harvesting, protection of biodiversity and support for local communities. These practices keep forests healthy, maintain their role as carbon sinks and safeguard habitats.
	Choosing PEFC‑certified packaging means every step of the supply chain meets high ethical standards. PEFC was the first global forestry standard to require respect for human rights and fair labour conditions. Chain of Custody certification provides full traceability, ensuring that claims about fibre sources and labour practices are accurate and verifiable. Brands can therefore demonstrate a real commitment to people and planet.
	Recycling is essential to responsible packaging. Using certified recycled materials reduces waste, conserves resources and supports a circular economy. When combined with certified virgin fibres, recycled content helps meet growing demand without compromising forest health. Paper‑based packaging is also one of the easiest materials to recycle, making it a practical part of any sustainability strategy.

This section is designed for companies, brands, and retailers who use packaging materials and want to commit to sustainable sourcing while showcasing their leadership in sustainability.

Source responsibly

• Partner with suppliers offering PEFC-certified materials to align your packaging with sustainable sourcing practices.
• Incorporate PEFC certification into your procurement policies to meet consumer and market demand for eco-friendly products.

Showcase your commitment

1. Include the PEFC label on your packaging:

• Collaborate with your certified suppliers to ensure the PEFC label appears on your packaging.
• This label provides a trusted assurance to consumers that the materials come from responsibly managed forests.

2. Apply for a PEFC promotional trademarks usage license:

• Use the PEFC label across your marketing materials, website, and reports to communicate your commitment to sustainability.
• This license allows you to promote your use of PEFC-certified materials and reinforces trust with consumers.

PEFC chain of custody certification gives packaging companies clear, credible proof of responsible, traceable sourcing. It builds trust across your supply chain and with your customers. Some of the benefits to you include:

Unlock market opportunities

PEFC chain of custody certification connects your products to the largest global network of certified forest-based materials.

Meet demand, secure your future

Position your business as a leader in sustainable practices and capture the growing demand for certified packaging.

Demonstrate regulatory compliance

With PEFC certification, you align with key global regulations like the European union deforestation regulation (EUDR), ensuring uninterrupted market access and confidence in your supply chain.

Leverage a recognised label

Use the widely recognised PEFC logo to demonstrate your commitment to responsible sourcing, making it easier for buyers to trust your materials.