The publishing house will also become a member of the WWF-UK Forest and Trade Network.

The paper procurement policy will form part of Random House's overall corporate social responsibility policy.

Group production director Stephen Esson said the selection of the right paper was vital from both an environmental and commercial perspective. "We also know this is a major concern for many of our authors," said Esson.

The publisher has been talking to its paper suppliers for the past six months, and although he declined to name them, Esson said it deals with all the main suppliers of papers for black and white books.

Random House purchases approximately 17,000 tonnes of paper for black and white book production per year.

"This is a very positive step forward for the UK and European industry, and sets an example for other publishers," said Greenpeace forest campaigner, Belinda Fletcher.

Greenpeace has been campaigning for the last two years for UK publishers to switch to FSC certified or recycled paper as part of its saveordelete.com campaign.

The news comes as more FSC and recycled grades have been introduced. Merchant Howard Smith Paper's Greencoat recycled paper and board range has gained FSC accreditation.

Scottish paper producer Tullis Russell has achieved FSC chain of custody accreditation to manufacture, sell and distribute FSC endorsed products. It has also launched the Naturalis smooth recycled range, made from 50% post consumer waste and available in the UK through Premier Paper.

Story by Andy Scott