FSC® certification ensures sustainable book production at Otava Book Printing

The internationally recognised Forest Stewardship Council® has granted Otava Book Printing an FSC® certificate, which ensures that wood-based products come from sustainably managed forests. The certificate covers environmental, social and financial aspects of sustainability.

“Sustainability is an integral part of everyday work at Otava Book Printing. This certificate is an important indication of our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable development. FSC® certification ensures that our book production is responsible and sustainable in terms of its paper materials. It gives our customers the assurance that the books they order have been produced in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner,” says Marko Silventoinen, CEO of Otava Book Printing.

Finns value forest nature, which plays an important role in maintaining biodiversity and halting climate change. FSC® certification is supported by key environmental organisations, and research shows that the majority of consumers recognise the FSC® trademark. For consumers, this trademark is a way of ensuring the sustainable origin of printed products. Demand for FSC®-certified products is experiencing strong growth in Europe in particular.

The certificate’s requirements apply to both forests and working conditions

In order to produce FSC®-certified products, the paper must come from a certified forest. Any forest that has been FSC® certified will be audited to ensure that the rules are being followed. For example, decaying wood, thickets and retention trees are all left in the forest, as they are essential to the survival of many species. Five per cent of certified woodland must not be used for commercial forestry.

In order to produce FSC®-certified products, the paper must come from a certified forest. Any forest that has been FSC® certified will be audited to ensure that the rules are being followed.

In addition to certified paper, FSC® certification requires respect for human rights throughout the production chain. In FSC®-certified production, workers’ rights must be respected at all stages of the production chain, and forestry jobs and workers’ skills must be maintained. Working conditions at the printing house are also examined and audited as part of the criteria for certification.  

“Otava Book Printing will undergo an annual FSC® audit. During the audit, spot checks will be carried out to ensure that FSC®-labelled paper and cardboard genuinely come from certified forests, and that any printed products bearing the label have actually been made from them. The auditor will check that certified materials are kept clearly separate from other materials, and that employees know how to distinguish between them. The FSC® will check the sustainability of the entire production process, including working conditions and occupational safety,” says Silventoinen.

Otava Book Printing has been producing books for over a hundred years, and employs about 60 people in Finland. The company has been a member of the  Association for Finnish Work since 2010. On-the-job learning, training and developing our working practices are all standard practice at Otava Book Printing.

Building a brand image with sustainability communications

“FSC® certification will provide Otava Book Printing’s customers with numerous benefits. Firstly, it guarantees that books are made from sustainably sourced wood material, which is important to environmentally conscious consumers. FSC® certification can also improve a company’s brand image and increase the value of its products on the market,” says Silventoinen.

Certified materials are offered to all of Otava Book Printing’s customers. The Otava Group, which is one of Otava Book Printing’s most important customers, sees the certificate as an excellent way of informing people about product sustainability.

FSC® certification can also improve a company’s brand image and increase the value of its products on the market.

“As a Group, we are committed to continuously monitoring and improving our environmental performance. The idea of obtaining certification for Otava Book Printing came from Otava Learning in 2023, as Otava Learning wanted to have an FSC® certificate to demonstrate the sustainability of its own products. Then Otava’s publishing houses also became interested in communicating sustainability through the FSC® trademark. Our aim is to gradually switch to FSC®-certified paper and cardboard for all of the Group’s own printed products that are produced by Otava Book Printing,” Silventoinen says.

Companies are increasingly required to both shoulder greater responsibility and report on how they intend to become more sustainable.

“We are proud of our ability to offer our customers FSC®-certified products. They are an easy and effective way of informing people about product sustainability. This is an important step towards a more sustainable future,” says Silventoinen.