For print materials that need to be both FSC- and EUDR-compliant, you need a printer with a valid FSC chain-of-custody certification and demonstrable compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation. That combination is available from certified printers in the Netherlands, Germany, and elsewhere in Europe. Which country is the best choice depends on your production volume, delivery locations, and the level of integration you are looking for with other documentation services. If you are unsure where to start, you are always welcome to contact us for a no-obligation consultation. The questions below will help you understand step by step what FSC and EUDR compliance means for print materials and how to find the right partner.
What exactly are the FSC and EUDR requirements for print materials?
FSC certification guarantees that the paper and cardboard in your print materials come from responsibly managed forests, tracked through a verifiable chain of custody. The EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) goes a step further by prohibiting the placing on the market of products that contribute to deforestation or forest degradation, with a reference date of December 31, 2020. For print materials, this means that the origin of wood pulp must be traceable and documented.
In practice, there are two layers of compliance. FSC is a voluntary certification scheme that has been widely adopted in the printing industry for many years. The EUDR is a legal obligation of the European Union that will be fully in force for large enterprises in 2026. Both systems require documentation on the origin of raw materials, but the EUDR adds a legal liability component: importers and producers must be able to provide a due diligence statement.
For clients, this means in concrete terms: it is not enough to work with a printer that displays an FSC logo on its website. You need a partner who can also document the supply chain for its paper and ink in accordance with EUDR requirements.
Which link in the print production chain must be FSC- and EUDR-certified?
Every link in the production chain that physically processes or resells the material must be FSC-certified in order to deliver a valid FSC end product. That means at a minimum the paper supplier, the printer, and any finisher or binder involved. If one link is missing, the right to display the FSC label on the final product is forfeited.
The EUDR follows a similar logic, but from a legal perspective. The party that places the product on the EU market is responsible for the due diligence statement. In many cases, that is the client itself, not the printer. This means that you as a company must be able to demonstrate that your printer works with materials that meet the EUDR traceability requirements, even if the printer is not itself a direct importer of wood pulp.
Practical advice: when evaluating any printer, ask not only for the FSC certificate number but also for the supplier declarations they can provide for their paper purchases. A printer that operates with EUDR awareness will have already standardized this process and can supply documentation immediately.
What is the difference between an FSC-certified printer in the Netherlands, Germany, and the rest of Europe?
The difference does not lie in the FSC standard itself — that is internationally uniform — but in the implementation, the availability of certified suppliers, and the scale of the offering. The Netherlands and Germany both have a mature printing industry with a high proportion of FSC-certified companies, but there are practical nuances.
The Netherlands: small-scale and service-oriented
Dutch printers are generally strong in custom work, short print runs, and fast turnaround times. The proximity of major paper distributors in the Benelux region keeps the supply chain relatively short and transparent. For companies that combine print materials with other documentation services such as translation and DTP, the Netherlands is a natural home base, partly because many full-service providers are based there.
Germany: volume and specialized production
Germany offers economies of scale for large print runs and has a strong tradition in high-quality offset printing. Large print shops in cities such as Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Berlin are often deeply integrated into international paper supply chains and have well-developed EUDR documentation processes. For multinationals with European distribution needs, Germany is frequently an efficient production location.
In the rest of Europe, particularly in Eastern Europe, the cost per unit is sometimes lower, but the transparency of the supply chain and the availability of EUDR documentation are less consistent. This increases the risk of compliance gaps, especially now that the EUDR will be fully enforced in 2026.
How do you verify whether a printer is genuinely FSC- and EUDR-compliant?
The most reliable way to verify FSC compliance is to look up the certificate number in the public FSC database at info.fsc.org. Every certified printer has a unique certificate number and a description of the certified activities. If the number cannot be found or has expired, the printer is not certified.
Verifying EUDR compliance is more complex because there is not yet a central public database comparable to the FSC system. What you can do:
- Ask the printer about its due diligence procedure for paper purchasing in accordance with the EUDR.
- Check whether the printer can provide supplier declarations describing the geographic origin of the wood pulp.
- Ask whether the printer works with paper from suppliers that are already EUDR-certified or are actively working toward certification.
- Check whether the printer has an internal policy for managing deforestation-related risks.
A printer that makes the effort to answer these questions demonstrates that compliance is a process for them, not a marketing story. Be critical of vague responses such as “we comply with all regulations” without any supporting evidence.
Can a full-service documentation provider handle both translation and FSC-compliant printing?
Yes, a full-service documentation provider can combine translation, DTP, and FSC-compliant printing under one roof. This is not only possible — it offers concrete advantages: reduced coordination risk, shorter turnaround times, and a single point of contact for the entire documentation chain from source file to finished printed product.
At Crestec Europe, we offer exactly this integrated approach. Our printing services are closely connected to our in-house DTP and translation processes, ensuring that documents are prepared in accordance with print production requirements before they reach the printer. This prevents costly correction rounds and ensures that FSC requirements are built into the production process from the start, rather than added as an afterthought.
For companies that produce print materials in multiple languages — such as manuals, product documentation, or marketing materials for European markets — this integration is particularly valuable. A translated text delivered directly in the correct layout format to an FSC-certified print partner saves time and reduces the risk of errors in final production. Our ISO 9001 certification ensures that this process is structural and repeatable, not dependent on individual employees.
Would you like to know how we can make your print materials FSC- and EUDR-compliant, including translation and DTP? Get in touch and we will discuss the possibilities together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EUDR also apply to small and medium-sized businesses that have print materials produced?
Yes, but with a phased timeline. Large enterprises must be fully compliant with the EUDR by 2026; small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to receive additional time until the end of 2026. Nevertheless, it is advisable to start mapping your supply chain now, because the documentation obligation will ultimately apply in full to SMEs as well, and building a compliant process takes time.
What happens if my printer turns out not to be EUDR-compliant?
If the party placing the product on the EU market cannot provide a valid due diligence statement, you risk fines, product seizure, and reputational damage. Because you as the client are in many cases legally responsible for compliance, it is essential to contractually establish that your print partner supplies EUDR-compliant documentation. If in doubt, engage a printer that has already standardized this process.
How often should I re-verify my printer's FSC certification?
FSC certificates are audited annually and can be withdrawn or temporarily suspended for non-compliance. It is therefore advisable to verify your printer's certificate number at least once a year via info.fsc.org, and to check again at the start of every new production project. Also ask your printer to proactively notify you of any changes to their certification status.
Can I use the FSC logo on my print materials if I do not hold an FSC certificate myself?
No, only companies with a valid FSC chain-of-custody certification may display the FSC logo on their products. As a client without your own FSC certificate, you cannot claim the logo independently, even if your printer is certified. The printer may place the logo on the final product, but this must be correctly established contractually and procedurally within the chain of custody.
What documents do I need to retain to remain EUDR-compliant for my print materials?
Retain at a minimum the supplier declarations from your printer regarding the geographic origin of the wood pulp used, the FSC transaction verification reports, and any due diligence statements the printer has drawn up in accordance with the EUDR. The EU requires this documentation to be kept for a minimum of five years. A structured filing system organized by production order makes audits considerably easier.
Is FSC-certified paper and ink more expensive than non-certified alternatives?
FSC-certified paper is generally only marginally more expensive than standard offset paper, typically between two and five percent, depending on the size and grammage. In many cases, the additional cost is offset by the reputational value and the future-proofing of your documentation process as the EUDR tightens obligations. Always ask your printer for a transparent cost breakdown so you know exactly what the FSC component contributes to the total price.
Can I reuse existing print templates and layout files with an FSC-certified printer?
In principle yes, but be aware that existing files may not have been prepared to the technical specifications of the new print partner, such as color profiles, bleed margins, or file formats. A full-service provider that handles both DTP and printing can adapt existing files and run preflight checks before they reach the printer. This prevents unnecessary correction rounds and ensures that FSC requirements are correctly incorporated into the final product.