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Meet evolving market demands with sustainable and compliant label materials

Sustainable labels are becoming a key driver of differentiation and growth. Brand owners are raising expectations for recyclability, carbon footprint data and responsible sourcing, while product safety, regulatory compliance and reliable performance remain non negotiable. UPM helps converters turn this complexity into opportunity. We combine sustainable label material materials with product safety performance, actionable environmental data and compliance guidance, so you can meet today’s requirements with confidence. We help you build offerings that support your customers’ ambitions as sustainability and compliance expectations continue to evolve.

Product safety and sustainability go hand in hand

Choosing sustainable and compliant label materials requires consideration on multiple fronts, from food contact safety to deforestation-free raw materials. We help converters and brands balance these needs and find label materials that best serve their purpose. 

Sustainable and compliant label materials address:

Product performance and safety

Regulatory and compliance requirements

Sustainability commitments

Expectations for transparency and verified claims

Sustainable label materials

Labels are a small but consequential part of packaging, and brand owners increasingly expect labels to support packaging recyclability, lower carbon material choices, and recycled content targets. We provide more sustainable label materials backed by externally verified footprint data and documentation, helping you respond to these expectations without guesswork.

Browse the Label product finder

Lower‑carbon and circular label choices

There are several ways to lower the carbon footprint of labels, from renewable raw materials to downgauging. Compare material choices and quantify the carbon footprint reduction with UPM’s externally validated LCA data.

Label materials also play a critical role in packaging circularity, directly impacting performance in real-world recycling and reuse systems. We help you identify the best option for each application.

Choose lower-carbon label materials

Enable packaging circularity with your label choices

Product safety and compliance

Our customers work with highly regulated industries. Wherever we operate, we meet relevant legal and industry requirements and maintain the documentation needed to validate label specifications.

For applications such as food contact labeling, pharmaceutical packaging, or durable industrial identification, approvals are essential. We maintain the required certifications, keep documentation current, and support customers as regulatory requirements evolve across markets.

Label material product safety documentation

Food contact approvals, BS 5609 marine transport certification, and UL recognition among others are available to support regulated applications. Receive comprehensive guidance relevant to your market from our product safety and regulatory compliance combined statements.

Access product safety documentation

Management system certificates and policies

Access certificates covering our supply chains and management systems, including FSC™ (FSC C012530), PEFC (PEFC/02-31-196), ISCC and ISO certifications. Find our corporate policies that guide our responsible business practices.

See our certificates and policies

Keeping up with changing regulation

Regulations affecting packaging and labeling vary by region and are evolving across markets. Our sustainability and regulatory teams are present in every market and can help you understand what applies today, which materials help you prepare for upcoming requirements, and what documentation your brand customers will need.

PPWR: implications for label material choices

The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation is accelerating packaging recyclability, recycled content, and reuse targets. Label material choices influence compliance on all three fronts.

Learn what PPWR means for label specification

EPR: what North American packaging regulations mean for label converters

Several North American states have passed Extended Producer Responsibility regulations, introducing recycling performance targets, reporting requirements and producer fees tied to packaging design. Label material choices directly affect how packaging performs against EPR criteria.

Watch the EPR webinar for converters

EUDR: what the regulation means for label material sourcing

The EU Deforestation Regulation introduces new requirements for deforestation‑free sourcing, traceability, and due diligence. We are building the documentation and records converters need to demonstrate compliant sourcing to their customers.

Learn about our EUDR approach

FSC™ and PEFC certified label materials

UPM offers a broad portfolio of FSC™ (FSC C012530) and PEFC (PEFC/02 31 196) certified label materials, giving converters access to products that support responsible sourcing commitments and regulatory requirements for traceable raw materials, such as EUDR.

100% of our sourced papers are certified under FSC, PEFC or PEFC endorced forest certification systems
In addition, many of our factories and terminals are ISCC PLUS certified, covering bio, bio-circular and circular film laminates and adhesives
Documentation is readily available to support customer validation

View our supply chain certificates

Learn about our responsible sourcing commitments

Why converters work with us on compliant and sustainable labels

Certified sourcing and documented compliance for regulated applications
Product footprint data via the externally validated Label Life service
Sustainability and product safety experts in every region
Liner waste recycling through RafCycle, with around 350 partners in 17 countries
Sustainability performance assessed by external parties, such as EcoVadis and CDP