The book publisher, which took the step following an annual review, will continue to print hardbacks and some paperbacks on FSC.

Group publishing operations director Stephen Esson said FSC stocks were limited and its arrangements changed year-on-year, subject to availability.

"While our arrangements may change year-to-year, what remains unchanged is our commitment to FSC and our ambition that one day 100% of our titles can be produced on FSC papers," added Esson.

He said Random House would work with suppliers, FSC and "any other interested parties" to resolve supply impediments.

FSC's Rosie Teasdale admitted that some publishers struggled to source adequate stocks of FSC, due to a "massive increase in demand rather than decrease in supply".

"It really depends on who they're sourcing from and what kind of deals they have already got in place," she added.

Other publishers, including Penguin and Faber & Faber have also faced supply issues with FSC paper, according to The Bookseller.

In 2006, Random House became the first UK consumer publisher to achieve FSC. It used 17,000 tonnes of paper for B&W printing in 2005.

Also see: Random House to print German Wikipedia