On 13 July 2009, following several months' research, planning and preparation Portsmouth-based Bishops Printers achieved certification to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation that provides standard setting, trademark assurance and certification services for companies interested in responsible forestry.

Formally established in 1994, the FSC standard provides an independently audited chain of custody. Suppliers and customers can be sure that Bishops is using products sourced from well-managed, sustainable forests.

What's more, certification to FSC helps to differentiate Bishops from its competitors. In a crowded market of around 10,000-13,000 printers in the UK an estimated 700 (7%) printers have attained FSC certification. Achieving the standard enhances our reputation and brings perceptions of added value.

"It's the biggest initiative in recent years and we're proud to be a part of it," says Marketing Manager, Ben Adcock.

"The standard shows we have undergone a rigorous process. Many of our customers now expect to see the FSC logo and we anticipate this achievement will bring in more work from the public sector and other organisations."

In addition to FSC certification, Bishops take their responsibility as the Portsmouth area's largest printer very seriously. Environmentally friendly processes are high on the agenda. All waste materials are recycled, including aluminium plates, metal ink tins and plastic ink cartridges, the ink itself, paper, cardboard and even the wood from pallets.

SGS FSC Lead Auditor Trainer Peter Brown adds: "Bishops were extremely well prepared and the company were a pleasure to audit. The decision to source sustainable materials further demonstrates Bishops' commitment to the environment. The FSC logo is being recognised more and more by consumers, and the demand for products from sustainable sources is growing daily."