Guide / Sustainability & rules / Chapter 8.3
FSC and certified fibre.
The FSC logo is one of the most recognised marks on packaging. Here's what it means, what the different labels say, and the rules about who can put it on a box.
The short answer
FSC stands for the Forest Stewardship Council, an international organisation that sets standards for responsible forest management, with independent certification bodies auditing forests and businesses against them. Paper and board can come from FSC-certified forests, recycled material or a mix of both. To apply the FSC label to a product, or sell it with an FSC claim, a business needs its own chain of custody certification, which tracks certified material through every business that handles it. A business that simply uses packaging already FSC-labelled by a certified supplier is in a different position, and may be able to promote it under an FSC promotional licence. Using FSC certified board is not the same as being FSC certified, and the difference matters when you describe your packaging. We use FSC certified cardboard from local board suppliers.
General information as at October 2026, not legal advice. Check the linked official sources for current rules.
What FSC certification covers
Independent certification bodies audit forests against FSC standards for responsible management. They also certify the businesses that handle FSC material, from the mill to the printer, through chain of custody certification. This is how a label on a finished product can be traced back to its source.
According to FSC Australia and New Zealand, a company "must first receive chain of custody certification" before it can put an FSC label on any of its products, and only products that use FSC-certified materials can carry the on-product label.
The three FSC labels
Summarised from FSC Australia and New Zealand.
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| FSC 100% | All the material comes from FSC-certified forests. |
| FSC Recycled | The product is made entirely from recycled material. |
| FSC Mix | A mixture of material from FSC-certified forests, recycled material and/or FSC controlled wood. |
Using FSC board vs being FSC certified
This is where many businesses get caught out.
Using FSC certified board
Your packaging supplier buys board that comes from FSC-certified sources. This is a genuine benefit, but FSC claims about a finished product can only be made through a certified supply chain. If the packaging isn't FSC-labelled, describe it in other accurate terms, such as its recycled content, and check FSC's trademark rules before mentioning FSC.
Using packaging already labelled by a certified supplier
If a certified packaging manufacturer supplies your packaging with the FSC label on it, the label is applied under their certificate. According to FSC UK's chain of custody FAQs, you don't need authorisation to buy and sell labelled products as long as you don't apply FSC trademarks or claims yourself. To promote that packaging using FSC trademarks, for example on your website, FSC offers a promotional licence for organisations that use FSC-certified packaging. Repackaging or relabelling needs certification. Check the rules with FSC Australia and New Zealand.
Being FSC certified
Your business holds its own chain of custody certificate. You need this to apply the FSC label to products yourself or to sell them with an FSC claim, under FSC's rules.
How we describe our board
We use FSC certified cardboard from local board suppliers. PackQueen does not hold its own FSC chain of custody certification, so we don't put the FSC label on packaging we make. Our corrugated cardboard also contains at least 60% recycled content.
What it means for you
The same question, answered for where your business is today.
Choose your stage at the top of the page to open the advice for you.
Start-up · under 100 units
You can describe your packaging accurately using what your supplier confirms, without using the FSC logo. A short, specific line is more credible than a logo you're not entitled to use.
Ask your supplier exactly what you can say about the board, and keep their wording.
Growing · 100 to 2,499 units
If retailers or customers ask about responsible sourcing, ask your supplier for written confirmation of the board's source and recycled content. Keep it on file.
Try this: write one accurate sentence about your packaging materials and use it consistently on your website and packaging.
Enterprise · 2,500 units and more
If you need the FSC label on your packaging, for example for a retailer requirement, you'll need chain of custody certification for your business and a certified supply chain. Plan this well ahead of artwork.
Contact FSC Australia and New Zealand for certification options.
Common mistakes
- 1Using the FSC logo without certification. The logo can only be used by certified businesses on eligible products.
- 2Calling your business FSC certified. Using FSC board doesn't make your business certified. Describe what you actually use.
- 3Overstating the claim. "FSC certified packaging" may imply more than your supply chain supports. Use your supplier's confirmed wording.
- 4Losing the paperwork. Keep supplier confirmations on file in case a retailer or customer asks.
FSC questions
What does FSC stand for?
What's the difference between FSC Mix and FSC Recycled?
Can I put the FSC logo on my packaging?
Is PackQueen FSC certified?
How much recycled content is in your cardboard?
Keep reading
Cardboard packaging
Questions about our materials?
Ask our Melbourne team about the board used for any box. We'll tell you what we can confirm, usually within 1 business day.