FSC Packaging Labels Explained: FSC 100%, FSC Mix and FSC Recycled
Quick answer
FSC 100% means all forest-based material in the labelled packaging comes from FSC-certified forests. FSC Recycled means the forest-based material is 100% recycled. FSC Mix can combine material from FSC-certified forests, verified recycled sources and/or FSC controlled wood. None of these labels automatically proves that a finished box is recyclable, plastic-free, food-safe or carbon neutral. Before printing, verify the supplier’s certificate and product scope, match the sales-document claim, use official label artwork carrying the correct licence code, and route the proof through the certificate holder’s approval process.
FSC 100% vs FSC Mix vs FSC Recycled
| Label | What it means for forest-based material | Typical packaging decision | What it does not prove |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSC 100% | All forest-based material comes from FSC-certified forests. | Use when the eligible paper or board supply and chain-of-custody claim support FSC 100%. | Recycled content, curbside recyclability, carbon neutrality or food-contact compliance. |
| FSC Mix | A mixture of material from FSC-certified forests, recycled sources and/or FSC controlled wood. | Often offers broader board availability while keeping forest-based inputs within FSC’s controlled system. | That every fibre is FSC-certified or that the box contains a fixed recycled percentage unless separately substantiated. |
| FSC Recycled | The forest-based material is 100% recycled. | Use when the certified packaging claim and material records qualify for the Recycled label. | That every non-fibre component is recycled or that print appearance and strength will match virgin-fibre board. |
These definitions follow FSC’s official three-label explanation. The packaging converter or certificate holder must confirm the label that the actual order is eligible to carry.
What FSC certification covers on a packaging box
The Forest Stewardship Council chain-of-custody system verifies how FSC-eligible forest-based materials are identified and tracked from certified or controlled sources through manufacturing and distribution. A finished on-product label indicates that the forest-based inputs and the organizations handling the FSC claim met the applicable chain-of-custody requirements.
For a folding carton, corrugated mailer, rigid box or paper sleeve, FSC applies to the forest-based packaging product. The complete pack may also contain ink, varnish, adhesive, a plastic window, a foam insert, a magnet or a textile ribbon. Those parts need their own sourcing, performance and end-of-life review.
Five claims an FSC label does not make by itself
- “This box is recyclable everywhere.” Collection and recycling depend on the complete construction and local system.
- “This packaging is 100% recycled.” Only the FSC Recycled claim communicates 100% recycled forest-based material; FSC Mix has a different definition.
- “This package contains no plastic.” Lamination, windows, labels and inserts must be checked separately.
- “This box is food safe.” Food-contact suitability requires market- and use-specific evidence beyond forest sourcing.
- “This order is carbon neutral.” Carbon claims require a separate boundary, method and substantiation.
Keeping these statements separate prevents an accurate sourcing label from becoming an unsupported environmental superlative.
The package and the product can be separate FSC products
FSC’s 2026 QR label guide states that packaging made from forest-based material is considered a separate product. A certified item inside an uncertified box, or an eligible box around an uncertified item, therefore needs clear wording about what the label refers to.
Before artwork starts, write the intended product type in plain language: “Packaging,” “Paper” or another label element supplied by the certificate holder. If both the product and package are certified under different claims or licence holders, let the applicable FSC rules and approval process determine whether one or multiple labels are required.
Who can use which FSC mark?
| Party | Typical permission | Buyer check |
|---|---|---|
| FSC chain-of-custody certificate holder | May manufacture or trade eligible FSC-certified products, apply the corresponding on-product label and use trademarks within its approved scope. | Certificate status, product scope, claim, licence code and artwork approval route. |
| Brand or retailer with finished labelled goods | May qualify for a promotional licence to use FSC trademarks in websites, campaigns and other off-product promotion. | Promotional licence eligibility and approval; it does not grant permission to apply an on-product label. |
| Brand without certificate or promotional licence | Can specify a certified packaging requirement and receive approved labelled packaging through an eligible supplier. | Do not download, redraw or self-apply an FSC logo. |
| Designer or agency | Can place the official artwork supplied for the project, under the licence holder’s control. | Use the provided file unchanged and return the final proof for approval. |
FSC’s paper and packaging guidance distinguishes chain-of-custody certification for manufacturers from promotional licensing for brands and retailers.
A six-step FSC packaging preflight
- Define the labelled packaging product. List the paperboard, corrugated board, rigid-board wrap, paper insert and any other forest-based component. State whether the FSC claim refers to the packaging, the product inside or both.
- Verify the supplier in the FSC database. Search the organization name, licence code or certificate code at search.fsc.org. Confirm that the certificate is valid and the relevant packaging or paper product sits inside its scope.
- Match the commercial documents. Ask for the exact FSC claim on the quotation, order acknowledgement, invoice or delivery documentation where required. A certificate PDF alone does not prove that a specific shipment was sold with an FSC claim.
- Choose the claim from order evidence. Do not select FSC 100%, Mix or Recycled because one looks better on the layout. The eligible material inputs and certificate holder’s control system determine the claim.
- Use official artwork and the correct licence code. The label file comes from FSC systems through the authorized holder. Keep its elements, clear space, colour, size and product type within the applicable requirements.
- Approve and archive the final proof. FSC USA’s certificate-holder guidance says label and promotional uses must be submitted to the certifier for approval. Retain the approved proof with the order, claim, licence code and board specification.
Verify certificate scope, not only the green tree logo
A common purchasing mistake is receiving a valid-looking certificate from a supplier and assuming every product it sells is FSC certified. The public FSC search supports lookup by organization, licence code or certificate code and shows certificate status and product information.
For a custom box order, record four checks:
- the certificate is valid on the order date;
- the legal supplier matches the certificate holder or documented certified chain;
- the relevant paper, board, printed matter or packaging product is within scope; and
- the order documents carry the agreed FSC claim.
Save a time-stamped certificate record when the project requires an auditable file.
Artwork mistakes that can delay box production
- Copying a logo from Google Images: the file has no project licence code and may be outdated.
- Changing the claim after paper purchase: FSC Mix stock cannot be promoted as FSC 100% because the artwork says so.
- Removing the product type: the consumer can no longer tell whether the mark refers to the box or the item inside.
- Making the label too small: scaling, clear space and readability still need approval.
- Placing a QR label on a reflective foil area: FSC’s QR guidance recommends high contrast and warns that glossy or reflective surfaces can interfere with scanning.
- Using the on-product mark in a social post without permission: packaging approval and promotional trademark permission are different workflows.
What changed for FSC trademark communication in 2026?
FSC published revised trademark requirements for promotional licence holders on June 1, 2026. According to the official FSC announcement, the revision applies to new promotional materials created from June 1, 2026, and existing materials have a transition deadline of September 1, 2026. It updates mandatory elements, approval processes and channel examples and retires older promotional designs.
This update concerns promotional communication by brands and retailers. It should not be treated as permission to place an FSC on-product label on a box. The certified converter and the brand may have separate approval tasks.
Can a custom box use the new FSC QR label?
FSC’s 2026 QR label guide describes the FSC QR label as a self-standing alternative to the standard FSC label and says it may also be used alongside the standard label in permitted situations. The landing page can present the claim, product type, licence code and certificate-holder information.
For production, confirm that the certificate holder can generate the correct project label in FSC Brand Hub, that the packaging falls within scope, that the code scans after the selected finish is applied and that approval is complete. Do not merge the FSC QR code with a brand QR code.
FSC custom box RFQ checklist
| Send to the supplier | Ask the supplier to confirm |
|---|---|
| Box style, size, quantity and destination | Certified entity producing or selling the packaging |
| Board grade, print and finish | Available FSC claim for that exact material and order |
| Whether the label refers to packaging, product or both | Correct product type and on-product label format |
| Artwork version and reserved label area | Official label file, licence code and minimum layout requirements |
| Required sustainability statements | Which claims can be supported and which need separate evidence |
| Approval and launch deadline | Proof-approval owner, document trail and production release date |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between FSC 100%, FSC Mix and FSC Recycled packaging?
FSC 100% uses forest-based material from FSC-certified forests. FSC Recycled uses 100% recycled forest-based material. FSC Mix may combine FSC-certified, verified recycled and/or FSC controlled material.
Does an FSC label mean the box is recyclable?
No. FSC is a responsible-sourcing and chain-of-custody system. Recyclability depends on the complete pack, attachments, coatings and local collection and recycling infrastructure.
Can a brand add an FSC logo to its packaging artwork?
The on-product label must be applied through an eligible FSC-certified chain-of-custody organization and approved under the applicable process. A brand should not download and self-apply the logo.
Can FSC Mix packaging contain recycled material?
Yes. FSC defines Mix as a combination that may include FSC-certified forest material, verified recycled material and/or FSC controlled wood. It is not the same claim as FSC Recycled.
How do I verify an FSC packaging supplier?
Use search.fsc.org to check the organization, licence or certificate code, current status and product scope. Then match the specific order to an FSC claim in commercial documents.
Verification method, authoritative sources and limitations
Method: Label definitions and role guidance were checked on August 14, 2026 against current FSC International and FSC public-database resources. Trademark and QR sections use FSC’s 2026 materials rather than third-party logo summaries.
- FSC: What the FSC labels mean — official definitions for FSC 100%, FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
- FSC chain-of-custody certification — tracking, certification scope and certificate-holder responsibilities.
- FSC paper and packaging — packaging-sector certification and brand promotional-licence routes.
- FSC Search — current certificate and licence verification.
- FSC 2026 promotional trademark update — new-material and transition dates for promotional licence holders.
- FSC QR label guide — label elements, scannability and packaging-as-a-separate-product guidance.
Evidence limit: FSC eligibility and trademark approval are order- and organization-specific. This guide does not certify a supplier, authorize a trademark use or replace the current FSC normative documents and certification-body decision.
Related packaging resources
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