HARRIS LITHOGRAPHICS FIRST FSC-CERTIFIED PRINTER in U.S.
January 8, 2003 – The Forest Stewardship Council-U.S. and the SmartWood program of the Rainforest Alliance are pleased to announce that Harris LithoGraphics, Inc. is the first U.S. printer to receive FSC chain-of-custody certification for its operations. This certification will allow Harris LithoGraphics to make use of FSC-certified paper to print jobs with the FSC trademarked "checkmark and tree" logo, as a way of ensuring purchasers that the paper was made from wood harvested from well-managed forests.

Harris LithoGraphics, Inc., located in Landover, Maryland, is a family-owned, union commercial printing company. Operating for over 15 years, Harris strives for success through a forward-thinking philosophy that includes environmentally friendly policies in their operations. The company prints a variety of one to six color publications, including brochures, letterhead, envelopes, folders, books, booklets, business cards and magazines.
Quinn Harris, Vice President of Harris LithoGraphics, stated that "Our collaborative efforts with SmartWood and the FSC have given us the honor of being the first U.S.-based printing company to earn FSC certification. This keeps us on the leading edge of environmental technology." Harris also noted that, "the opportunity to become FSC-certified is an exciting way to expand our mission of quality printing while maintaining a safe, clean environment and respecting its elements."

"In the past year we’ve made great strides into the paper and packaging industry with the introduction of FSC-certified paper," noted Roger Dower, FSC-U.S. President. "It will become immensely easier for consumers to specify the use of FSC-certified paper now that we have a U.S.-based printer with chain-of-custody certification."

"SmartWood applauds Harris’s commitment to the environment and to promoting sustainable forestry through this much-coveted "first" certification of a print operation in the U.S.," said SmartWood Director, Robert Beer. "Mainstreaming access to FSC-certified paper and the capacity to take the chain-of-custody right through to the printing process is a critical step that Harris LithoGraphics can now facilitate. Consumers on all levels have been looking forward to this for a long time."

Harris LithoGraphics will purchase various grades of certified paper stock manufactured by Domtar, the U.S. and Canadian-based company that is SmartWood/FSC-certified for forest management in both countries, as well as chain-of-custody certified for their pulp and paper manufacturing. Domtar papers will be distributed to Harris by the recently certified Ris Paper Company, a U.S. company, and member of Domtar’s Paper Merchant Group. They will also purchase certified papers from Mohawk Paper Mills, who received their FSC certification by SmartWood about a year ago, and another large paper manufacturer that is in the process of attaining certification. Harris currently recycles all paper products and metals, and makes use of environmentally friendly soy based inks.

The FSC is the global and national leader in the independent certification of forests managed to exemplary standards covering environmental, social and economic issues. Forest certification enables consumers to make informed choices when selecting wood and other forest products. The FSC-U.S. is responsible for establishing independent forest certification standards and promoting FSC certification in the U.S.

The FSC supports environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of the world's forests. FSC promotes responsible forest management by evaluating and accrediting certifiers, by encouraging the development of national and regional forest management standards, and by providing public education and information about independent, third-party certification as a tool for ensuring that the world's forests are protected for future generations. There are currently 13-million acres of FSC-certified forestland in North America and 76-million acres globally.

SmartWood is a program of the Rainforest Alliance, an international conservation organization that works to protect endangered ecosystems and the people and wildlife that live in them by transforming land use practices, business practices, and consumer behaviour. Established in 1989, SmartWood is the oldest, most extensive certification program in the world and is accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council. SmartWood has eight regional offices and partners with a network of non-profit conservation organizations. SmartWood is headquartered in Richmond, Vermont, USA. Further information about SmartWood can be found at http://www.smartwood.org/.