PAS 2020 was commissioned by the DMA and sponsored by Acxiom, the Incorporated Society of British Advertisers (ISBA), Royal Mail and the Telephone Preference Service.

The standard is predominantly aimed at companies that use direct mail as an advertising tool, however it will feature a Chain of Custody throughout the process of producing direct mail.

Robert Keitch, director of media channel development at the DMA, said he believes the print industry will be well placed to be one of the key catalysts in the onset of PAS 2020, which was launched on 21 January.

He said: "Many of the things that PAS 2020 covers the print industry is already doing, they have to do.

"A printer could tell a customer about the standard and let them know that they are compliant with it."

The standard covers other environmental credentials already prominent in the print industry such as FSC, PEFC and ISO 14001.

It seeks to establish a difference between virgin paper that has been sustainably produced and recycled paper that may not be as environmentally friendly.

The standard also promotes the use of efficient inks and finishes, and minimalised printing – whether that is through smaller print runs or more targeted mailing.