All the paper merchants have now advised us that their prices are due to increase on September 15th 2008.

The rises are expected to be in the region of 6% to 11%. The merchants are also now charging for each delivery.  reason given include the rising price of fuel and the weak Euro.

How much FSC fibre from certified forests do you think paper has to contain to be classed as FSC Mixed Sources?

50%? 70%? More?

You might be surprised to find that the answer is NONE.

According to current rules, paper sold as FSC Mixed Sources must be made up of a minimum of 50% FSC recycled fibre, OR a minimum of 50% FSC virgin fibre from certified forests OR a combination of both as long as it is at least 50% of the total bulk. Therefore, if the recycled content is set at 50% or more, the balance of raw material does not have to carry FSC certification and the paper still qualifies for an FSC Mixed Sources claim. We are not suggesting that this is an attempt to mislead the consumer but it is nevertheless a little confusing and probably not what people generally expect when they see the FSC logo on a printed item.

If you are wondering what constitutes FSC Recycled fibre, we have been told that this could be any post consumer fibre which as been obtained and processed by an FSC certified mill in accordance with the FSC rules. However, it is still unclear whether the recycled part of an FSC Mixed Sources sheet has to be from post consumer origin if the FSC virgin fibre content reaches 50% or more. FSC UK has promised to let us know more details as soon as they have received clarification, but given the complicated nature of the labelling it is hard to see how consumer and readers can make any accurate judgment of the embodied characteristics of a paper carrying the Mixed Sources logo.

All the paper merchants have confirmed that paper prices are going up again from 16 June 2008. Most grades are going up by 8%. This is the third time paper has increased in the last 12 months. The paper mills are citing increases in fuel costs and the fluctuating Euro as the main causes.

Mills are also getting wise to the increasing demand for FSC papers and are putting premiums or “uplifts” on this kind of paper.  The increasing demand for FSC paper is a hot topic in paper circles as the true environmental benefits of specifying an FSC paper is up for debate.

This will be discussed in the Four Corners blog in future posts….