Creve Coeur, Mo. and Chicago - Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation announced today that all of its U.S. paper mills have been recommended for chain-of-custody certification to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification and Forest Stewardship Council standards.

Having its mill system fully certified allows Smurfit-Stone to trace and verify the origin of the fiber used in its papermaking operations.  This is becoming an increasingly important requirement for many companies that are looking to partner with packaging manufacturers that can help them meet their social and environmental goals.

"Smurfit-Stone is committed to responsible and sustainable fiber sourcing, and completing this certification process division-wide reaffirms our beliefs," said Mike Exner, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mill division.  "The chain-of-custody certification also helps us better support our customers in meeting their sustainability goals."

The chain-of-custody certification audits were conducted over a two-week period from November 29, 2010, to December 3, 2010.  Smurfit-Stone's mills will have the following certifications:

- SFI Certified Fiber Sourcing – U.S. mills' procurement system
- SFI chain-of-custody certification – U.S. mills
- PEFC chain-of-custody certification – all pulp and paper mills
- FSC chain-of-custody certification – all pulp and paper mills

Smurfit-Stone's Matane, Quebec, mill has also been recommended for PEFC and FSC certifications, and its La Tuque, Quebec, mill received PEFC and FSC certifications in 2009.  Smurfit-Stone anticipates extending the chain-of-custody certifications within its converting operations throughout 2011 and 2012.