Mark Brown, managing director of the £2m-turnover company, claimed that many other businesses are delaying becoming FSC accredited because of the costs involved.  

He said: "For us, we would have lost work if we had not become accredited. To some extent, it's not just a case of obtaining new clients, but of keeping what we have. We've managed to keep both, and getting FSC has definitely already brought in new work."

The Northamptonshire-based company received partial funding through MAS, a government funded organisation that helps manufacturers, and which Brown said has helped to safeguard the company's jobs.

It also participated in presentations with merchant Howard Smith Paper, which have helped it to implement many of the FSC requirements.

Brown added that the FSC award would give the 22-staff business access to environmentally sensitive markets, such as government bodies and local authorities that specify FSC-certified products in their procurement programs.

Dats produces a wide range of print, including commercial stationery, mailshots, flyers, brochures and catalogues.