12 June 2007

Associate member PMC launches print-specific FSC Chain of Custody group certification scheme

Print and Media Certification Ltd (PMC) has welcomed the first participant to its print industry specific FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) Chain of Custody Group Scheme, and aims to increase the numbers of small print businesses within the UK who are on it.

The Group scheme is run on behalf of FSC accredited Netherlands based certification body Control Union, in partnership with PMC, and offers small printers with less than 15 employees the chance to gain FSC Chain of Custody Certification and benefit from a lower cost assessment and certification, from using PMC's print expert assessors.

BPIF Business have helped many small printers to achieve the standards in processes, practices and systems to enable them to successfully achieve certification.

PMC's Director, Jon Stack, commented:

"PMC prides itself on being the only certification body specific to the print, paper and publishing industries in the UK, and, as far as we know, in the world. We have set up the FSC Group scheme because we want to make certification accessible to all printers in the UK, very many of whom are smaller businesses, and for whom certification may have been innaccessible in the past. Through our Group Scheme printers can achieve certification cost-effectively, and through our all inclusive monthly payment scheme printers can at last budget accurately and predictably for certification. FSC Chain of Custody is an important standard for printers to achieve, as more and more customers demand FSC certification from their suppliers.

"Unlike other Certification Bodies, our assessors work in print companies all the time, and this ensures that clients are assessed by auditors who understand the processes and problems encountered in the sector. Because of this we can deliver real and continuing benefits to clients. Expert certification helps our clients to retain and grow their existing business, and to enter new markets, where accredited certification of their business is often and increasingly a "must have" for the print buyer. The FSC standard adds value to the printed product, by giving it a verifiable social and environmental quality, and by demonstrating that the printer takes the environmental concerns of its customers and staff seriously. It is rapidly becoming essential."

PMC is also accredited by UKAS (the United Kingdom Accreditation Service) to perform certification for ISO 9001, the Quality Management Standard, and can also offer certification in ISO 14001, the Environmental Management standard, PEFC, ISO 27001, the Information Security Management standard, ISO 12647, the Colour Management standard and a whole range of other certifications relevant to the paper, print and publishing industries.

With more and more print buyers demanding that their suppliers are FSC certified and tenders stating this as a prerequisite, make sure you are able to compete by contacting BPIF Business to find our what support is necessary and available to position you to successfully achieve FSC and satisfy your customers. The average time taken for support is only 3-4 days!