Oct 17, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. UPM has been awarded an EU Flower certificate for its office papers range. UPM was the first company to receive the certificate in the copying and graphic papers industry in Finland. The certificate now covers most of UPM's office paper production in Europe. The European Eco-Label, better known as EU-Flower, is awarded to products that meet the strict environmental criteria set out by the EU awarding body. "Eco-labels are one and the most simple way to communicate that a product fulfils certain environmental criteria certified by a third party. UPM aims to give its customers a possibility to use the label of their choice. EU Flower requires good overall environmental performance. This is why UPM wants to use it, "said Marja Tuderman, vice president environmental affairs and CSR, in a ceremony held in the House of Estates in Helsinki. To receive the EU Flower, paper producers must meet strict regulations set on emissions to water and air as well as reduce energy consumption. In addition paper producers must meet a wide range of environmental and sustainable requirements. These include using recycled fibres or virgin wood fibres from sustainable managed forests. As part of the EU Flower assessment criteria, manufacturers must demonstrate the origin of all fibres and more than 10 % of fibres must be sourced from certified sustainable managed forests. Producers must also demonstrate a commitment to the increase use of environmentally sound products during manufacture. The office papers which received the eco label are manufactured at three different sites in Europe; Papeteries de Docelles (France), Kymi (Finland) and Nordland Papier (Germany).