A Commons committee recommended on Monday (23 March) that the government administer a system similar to that currently used on food products.

Labour chairman of the committee Colin Challen said the government should ensure that consumers are educated as to the environmental credentials of a product's supply chain.

The print sector could also be included in the accreditation criteria, designed to prevent manufacturers overstating eco-credentials.

Chris Toward, senior graphic designer at Newcastle College, said: "It's hard to tell if people are interested in improving standards, or being seen to improve standards.

"We are happy with accreditations such as FSC, but so often it's a case of taking a company’s word for it.

"A properly administered government standard could really make a difference to the environment, which is what counts."

Mark Tomlin, production director at Surrey-based design agency Flipside Group, was more sceptical. He said he trusts the accreditations already on offer. "We don’t need more government jargon. The scheme would be a waste of money."

A recent Mori poll showed that 80% of consumers believe brands do not tell the whole truth on issues of corporate social responsibility.