UPM Raflatac achieves ISO 14001 certification for North Carolina labelstock operation

(UPM Raflatac, NC, January 28, 2009) – UPM Raflatac is pleased to announce that it has received the prestigious ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System certification for its North Carolina labelstock manufacturing facility. The factory will be reassessed annually to ensure that it is achieving targets and continuously improving its environmental performance.
 
As part of the ISO certification process, UPM Raflatac examined its operations for opportunities to enhance its handling of raw materials; reduce its environmental footprint; and create repeatable, transparent operational processes. The ISO 14001 accreditation covers the design, manufacture, slitting, sheeting and sale of pressure sensitive paper and film labelstock.

“Achieving ISO 14001 certification makes an important statement to the labelstock industry about our commitment to the environment,” says Laura Cummings, Sustainability & Environmental Manager, UPM Raflatac, Americas. “That’s a commitment we have demonstrated for decades with our early adoption of such innovations as solvent-free adhesives and silicones and waste reduction. It is part of the value we provide to our customers.”

ISO 14001 certification is a critical milestone in UPM Raflatac’s sustainability initiative. Other aspects include the receipt of chain-of-custody certification from all three internationally recognized forest certification programs; the implementation of environmentally sound manufacturing and distribution processes that maximize materials reuse, recycling and energy recovery; and the development of innovative offerings, such as the RafEco™ product line and UPM ProFi™, a wood-plastic composite that uses self-adhesive production waste from UPM Raflatac's value chain as its principle raw material.
 
ISO 14001 certification requires that an organization identify and control the environmental impact of its activities, products or services; continually improve its environmental performance; and implement a systematic approach to setting and measuring the achievement of its environmental objectives and targets. It is awarded by a third party that conducts a systematic audit of the candidate company’s operations.

For further information please contact:

Ms Laura Cummings, Sustainability & Environmental Manager, UPM Raflatac, Americas, Tel. +1 828 335 3852

Ms Patricia Lähepelto, Marketing Communications Manager, UPM Raflatac, Americas, Tel. +1-828-279-6340