UPM receives EU Flower Eco-label for magazine paper

UPM has been awarded an EU Flower certificate for its magazine paper UPM Eco produced at Schongau paper mill, Germany. The European eco-label, better known as EU Flower, is awarded to products that meet the strict environmental criteria set out by the EU awarding body.

"UPM Schongau mill has complied with EU Eco-Label criteria already for some years. In order to better meet customers' business demands we have now gone through the official third party auditing and verification process. EU Flower is also a proof of the company's good overall environmental performance", said Wilhelm Demharter, Vice President Environmental Affairs Central Europe.

To receive the EU Flower, paper producers must meet strict regulations set on emissions to water and air as well as reduce energy consumption. In addition, paper producers must meet a wide range of environmental and sustainable requirements. These include using recycled fibres or virgin wood fibres from sustainable managed forests.

As part of the EU Flower assessment criteria, manufacturers must demonstrate the origin of all fibres and more than 10 % of fibres must be sourced from certified sustainable managed forests. Producers must also demonstrate a commitment to the increase use of environmentally sound products during manufacture.

UPM Eco, produced at Schongau mill, is 85-100 % made of recycled fibre. The paper mill has certified Chain-of-Custody in place which covers all suppliers of saw mill chips used for virgin fibre processing and ensures wood sourcing and forest management according to the certification principles of PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification schemes).

Source: UPM