About the Forest Stewardship Council

The FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit international organisation founded in 1993, headquartered in Bonn, Germany. Its mission is to promote responsible management of the world's forests, ensuring that forest products come from sources that are environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable.

The FSC® certification system is recognised globally as one of the most credible forest certification standards. More than 40,000 businesses in over 130 countries hold FSC CoC certification — and for buyers in Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia, FSC® is often a baseline requirement when evaluating paper product suppliers.

Types of FSC® certification

• FSC® Forest Management (FM) — Certifies that a specific forest is managed according to FSC standards.
• FSC® Chain of Custody (CoC) — Certifies the complete supply chain from raw material to finished product, ensuring full traceability at every processing stage. This is the certification PUNDY holds.
• FSC® Controlled Wood — A lower-tier standard for materials that cannot achieve full FM certification but meet minimum responsible sourcing requirements.

What FSC® on a product guarantees

A product bearing the FSC® label has been verified at every stage of the supply chain — from forest harvest to finished product. Specifically, it means:

• Paper raw materials originate from FSC-certified, legally harvested forests — not illegal logging of primary forests
• Every processing stage is documented and traceable under chain-of-custody records
• Production complies with environmental, social, and economic sustainability principles
• Forest management protects the rights and livelihoods of local communities and indigenous peoples

The three FSC® label types

• FSC® 100% — All raw materials come from FSC-certified forests
• FSC® Mixed — Materials are a mix of FSC-certified and FSC-controlled wood
• FSC® Recycled — Materials are sourced entirely from recycled content

PUNDY can advise on the appropriate FSC® label type based on your product specifications and material requirements.

Using a custom PUNDY notebook as an example, here is how FSC® certified products compare to standard products:

What FSC® certification covers — and what it does not

FSC® CoC certification applies to the wood-derived components of a product. Using a PU leather binder notebook as an example:

• ✅ Covered: Inner pages, paper boards inside the cover, paper gift boxes
• ❌ Not covered: PU leather covers, metal ring binders, elastic bands, ribbons

This scope is standard across all FSC CoC certifications and does not prevent the overall product from carrying the FSC® label.

The following PUNDY product categories fall within the scope of our FSC® CoC certification and can be supplied with full certification documentation:

Business value for corporate buyers

• ESG report documentation — FSC purchase records and invoice declarations can be included directly in corporate sustainability reports as evidence of responsible procurement
• Green procurement compliance — Many multinationals, public sector bodies, and European/North American/Japanese brand owners specify FSC certification in their supplier or procurement policies
• Brand differentiation — Custom gifts printed with the FSC® trademark give recipients a tangible signal of your company's environmental commitments
• Supply chain risk reduction — Working with an FSC CoC certified manufacturer reduces exposure to reputational risks associated with uncertified timber supply chains
• Consumer and stakeholder trust — The FSC® mark is internationally recognised across Europe, North America, Japan, and Australia

Best-fit use cases for FSC® certified gifts

• Annual reports, shareholder gifts, and sustainability-themed events
• Government or public-sector tender requirements with green procurement clauses
• Export markets with high sustainability expectations (EU, Japan, UK, Australia)
• Employee onboarding kits or year-end appreciation gifts with brand messaging
• Partnerships with environmental or community-focused organisations

PUNDY's broader sustainability credentials

In addition to FSC® CoC certification, PUNDY maintains the following:

• Sedex SMETA 4-pillar audit (most recent: 2025) — covering labour standards, occupational health & safety, environmental management, and business ethics
• Eco soy-based inks — available as a standard printing option across product lines
• Recycled leather and recycled paper — standard material options on multiple product lines

Seven-step process from enquiry to FSC® documentation

Information to include in your enquiry

• Product type: notebook, diary, gift box, or other
• Quantity: estimated order volume
• Size: A4 / B5 / A5 / A6 or custom
• Cover material: PU leather, genuine leather, fabric, specialty paper, etc.
• Inner page layout: blank, lined, dot grid, diary, or custom
• FSC® requirements: FSC® trademark printing, invoice declaration, or both
• Required delivery date: if you have a fixed deadline, please flag it upfront

Q1: Is PUNDY's FSC® certification current and verifiable?

Yes. You can verify PUNDY's FSC® certification in real time at info.fsc.org using any of the following:

• Certificate number: DNV-COC-002642
• FSC license code: FSC® C187900
• Company name: PUNDY Design & Printing Co., Ltd.

Q2: Can PUNDY provide an FSC® invoice declaration?

Yes. PUNDY can provide an FSC® invoice declaration (also called an FSC claim statement) and a copy of our FSC certificate with every qualifying shipment. This documentation is accepted by ESG procurement teams and can be included in sustainability reports. Please request this when placing your enquiry or order.

Q3: Can the FSC® logo be printed on our custom notebooks?

Yes, subject to FSC® trademark use guidelines. As an FSC® CoC certified manufacturer (FSC® C187900), PUNDY is licensed to apply the FSC® trademark to qualifying products. We will confirm the correct label type (FSC® 100%, FSC® Mixed, or FSC® Recycled) and verify the layout meets FSC requirements during the sampling stage.

Q4: Does FSC® certification cost significantly more?

FSC-certified paper stocks carry a modest premium over non-certified equivalents, which is reflected in product pricing. At meaningful order volumes (typically 500 units and above), the per-unit premium is small relative to the compliance and branding value delivered. We are happy to provide a side-by-side quote comparing FSC® and standard versions of the same product.

Q5: Does PUNDY hold any other sustainability certifications?

Yes. In addition to FSC® CoC certification, PUNDY has successfully completed the Sedex SMETA 4-pillar audit (most recent audit: 2025), covering labour standards, health and safety, environmental management, and business ethics. We also use eco soy-based inks and recycled leather as standard options. Documentation for both certifications is available on request.

Q6: What is the MOQ for FSC certified custom notebooks?

FSC-certified orders generally carry a slightly higher MOQ than standard orders, as certified paper stock is sourced specifically for each job. The exact MOQ depends on the product type, size, and cover specification. Please contact us with your requirements for an accurate minimum order figure.