Several certifications help ensure the safety and quality of paper products used in food packaging, as well as their environmental impact. Here are some key certifications:

1. FDA Approval (Food and Drug Administration)

  • The FDA ensures that paper products used in direct food contact meet safety standards to prevent contamination. These include compliance with the FDA’s Food Contact Substances (FCS) regulations, which dictate that materials in contact with food should not release harmful substances into food. This approval ensures the paper is safe for use in food packaging.

2. Compostability Certifications

  • BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) Certification: BPI is a leading certifier for compostable products. It verifies that a paper product is truly compostable and can break down in commercial composting environments.
  • TÜV Austria OK Compost: This certification ensures that the paper product is compostable according to European standards. It covers both industrial and home composting.
  • DIN EN 13432: A European standard that certifies the compostability of materials used in packaging. If a paper product meets this standard, it’s considered compostable in industrial composting conditions.

3. Sustainable Forestry Certifications

  • FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): This certification ensures that paper products are sourced from responsibly managed forests. FSC certification guarantees that the paper is made from sustainable wood sources, protecting biodiversity and the environment.
  • PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification): Another certification for sustainable forest management that ensures paper products come from forests that meet high environmental and social standards.

4. Recyclability Certifications

  • Swan Label: This Nordic Ecolabel promotes the use of recycled and recyclable materials. Products with the Swan Label are verified to meet specific environmental and health criteria.
  • Recycle Certified: This indicates that the paper is recyclable, promoting circular economy principles by ensuring that paper products can be reused after their initial life cycle.

5. Other Environmental Certifications

  • Cradle to Cradle Certification: This certification evaluates a product’s environmental impact and its potential for reuse or recycling. It ensures that materials used in food packaging products are safe and can be cycled back into the environment or manufacturing systems.

Green Seal: A certification that applies to environmentally responsible paper products, including those used in food packaging. It considers criteria such as sourcing, biodegradability, and recyclability.