Environmental labels: what do they mean, and why are there so many? Is one any greener than another? As a printer, why do I need chain of custody if I'm already printing on certified paper?

This section aims to answer all these questions.

It looks at the different types of label: some apply solely to fibre content, others to the impacts of the manufacturing process, although they also give consideration to the fibre content; others are specific to one particular topic, such as carbon labels. The differences in what criteria are addressed explains the need for so many - the use of them as a tool means you can, for example, use labels as a guide to choosing a paper manufactured in an environmentally responsible way, or from responsibly sourced fibre, or both - the ideal aim. A label will set specific criteria that a product or manufacturing process must achieve in order to be awarded it.

Distinctions between such labels and certification for environmental management systems (EMS) are explained: ISO 14001, EMAS and the various step-by-step initiatives. Such systems do not set benchmarks in the way that labels do: they are tools for management of environmental impacts and continual improvement. Manufacturers will use an EMS to help them achieve the requirements of a label. EMAS requires public reporting on achievements, and many companies no longer use the labels that cover impacts of manufacturing as they consider EMAS reports more informative.

Carbon labelling is introduced, and carbon footprinting and how offsetting works. And chain of custody - the way in which fibre from a certified forest is tracked all the way through to the final product to provide assurance to the purchaser that their literature really is printed on paper using certified timber, and to help combat illegal logging.