"The EMAS registration confirms our commitment to the requirements of operating in a sound environmental manner," said managing director Sidney Coetzee.

The Hemel Hempstead-based mill is already accredited with both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 environmental management standards.

Sappi Fine Paper Europe became one of the first pulp and paper firms to achieve combined certification across its entire organisation in 2002 (PrintWeek, 5 April 2002).

Founded in 1800, Sappi Nash Mill manufacturers uncoated papers and boards, specialising in coloured products.

The plant was also granted a permit to operate under the UK Pollution Prevention Control Regulations 2000, as part of the extension of the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) agreement in 2002.