DISC, a producer of specialty packaging for more than 40 years, has taken a significant step forward in its commitment to environmentally responsible packaging. The company announced today that it has been awarded the Certified Forest Management Suite for three internationally recognized Chain of Custody certification standards in forest products: the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

“This achievement raises the bar in DISC’s ongoing dedication to safeguard the environment,” says Margaret Krumholz, president of DISC. “Although we have been certified for FS Chain of Custody since 2007, we felt it was time to extend our reach to meet the standards of SFI and PEFC Chain of Custody in order to offer our clients a broader choice of certified materials for their product packaging.”

This move is the latest initiative in the company’s ongoing DISCover Green Program, which emphasizes action when it comes to promoting sustainability solutions. DISC has long established itself as a leader in “green” business practices through participation in the EPA Green Power Partnership, the Renewable Choice Energy Program, and its own recycling efforts both in its operations and in the community.

“It’s become a bigger conversation with clients,” says John Rebecchi, vice president of marketing and business development. “The call for environmentally responsible materials has become more and more prominent in our discussions, and the market demands more accountability today. Knowing the source of our paper and paperboard and tracking them along the supply chain are important to DISC and the companies we serve.”

The certified Forest Management Suite earned by DISC was the result of a complex and arduous auditing process conducted by SGS North America, an internationally respected independent auditor for certified material standards. The COC certification procedures required the commitment and collaboration of a cross-functional team of people in Quality Assurance, manufacturing, customer service, finance, Information Technology, and sales & marketing. The company had to ensure that all process controls were in place to monitor, track and label products made from certified material throughout DISC’s supply chain to client delivery points.

According to the company, all DISC clients will benefit from being able to print the appropriate certified label on packaging produced using certified paper or paperboard. Depending on the source and content of certified material used, a package can be imprinted with an FSC label (for FSC 100%, FSC Mix and/or FSC Recycled certified material), or SFI COC label (for SFI certified material), or PEFC COC label (for PEFC certified material).