The firm is being audited by the same independent auditor for both schemes, and will know within the week if it was successful.

Office product manager Matthew Botfield said the merchant had taken the decision to go for dual certification because its range included own label FSC products and products that contain PEFC pulp.

"As a business we need to be able to prove the products we distribute come from sustainable sources," said Botfield.
He said the firm had a responsibility to monitor FSC and PEFC products to ensure that, if converted by Antalis, they maintained their status throughout the supply chain.

A pre-assessment at its Coalville site has already been carried out. The audit for both schemes is being handled by BM Trada, initially covering five sites: Bristol, Coalville, Dartford, Livingston and Pilsworth.

Once these sites are given dual certification, chain of custody will be rolled out to all Antalis operations throughout 2005-2006.

Antalis' own brands ,Volumax, Laser Copy and Effecto will be able to carry the PEFC logo, while considerations for the FSC standard includes OfficeWorld's Essential copier and SuperStat Premium copier.

The company has appointed Mike Hann as environmental manager and Liz Wilks as environmental officer to handle its environmental policy.

Story by Andy Scott