The PrintReleaf Standard
Trust, Certification, and Verification
All PrintReleaf reforestation projects are designated for restoration and conservation efforts, to grow into forests that will last generations.
PrintReleaf ensures that customers' environmental goals are met with our certified sustainability services, which adhere to the highest standards.
Developed in collaboration with leading print and forestry experts, this is the industry’s first codified, rigorous standard outlining minimum requirements for offsetting paper consumption with certified and verified biomass (reforestation) and carbon offsets.
The PrintReleaf Standard is an open and public document that outlines the operational, financial and organizational requirements for members of our network of certified Global Forestry Partners.
Download the PrintReleaf StandardTrust is the cornerstone of any successful partnership. That's why we have established strict and innovative industry standards to verify the performance of our reforestation projects. Reforestation with PrintReleaf embodies legitimacy and credibility. We will not stand for anything less.
Reforestation Project Development Process
PrintReleaf follows a careful, structured approach to developing each reforestation project.
Below is an overview of the process defined in the Standard that we take to originate, develop, verify, and complete each project.
Reforestation Partner Agreement Standard § 2.3.1
PrintReleaf establishes a Reforestation Partner Agreement with the organization we partner with to develop the project. The agreement defines the cost for the project, volume requirements, location details, and binds the partner to the PrintReleaf Standard.
Organizational Audit Standard § 2.3.2
The reforestation partner is independently audited by one of PrintReleaf’s Certifying Bodies to ensure they meet the minimum requirements of the PrintReleaf Standard. The partner is verified to have expertise in developing reforestation projects, is transparent with their reporting, and is financially healthy. After a successful audit, the Certifying Body issues a certificate which officially confirms the organization as a PrintReleaf Certified Reforestation Partner.
Project Activation Standard § 2.3.3
The partner's reforestation projects are activated on the PrintReleaf software platform. Upon activation, our business partners and their customers can then subscribe to the new reforestation projects, resulting in funding and planting of trees at the projects.
Quantitative Field Audit Standard § 2.3.4
After planting is ultimately completed or, due to popular demand, has reached a signicant level of capacity, a quantitative field audit is conducted at the planting site. Field audits are conducted in a variety of ways through modern technology and boots on the ground. The purpose of the field audit is to determine the number of standard tree equivalents survived compared to the number of standard tree equivalents planted. After visiting the planting site, an audit report is filed and, if necessary, corrective active requests (CARs) are documented to ensure any losses of standard tree equivalents are accounted for.
Certification of Completion and Compliance Standard § 2.3.5
Once steps 1-4 are completed, a Certifying Body performs a comprehensive review of the project case file and documentation to ensure the project has met all of the requirements of the Standard. A Certificate of Completion & Compliance is issued for the project, certifying the reforestation project is complete, compliant, and successful.
Financial Compliance
Agreed Upon Procedures (AUP) Standard § 2.3.6
On an annual cycle, an AICPA certified independent accounting firm performs Agreed Upon Procedures to review PrintReleaf’s financial records and database of certificates of reforestation issued to our customers. These procedures verify and ensure PrintReleaf has made the required payments to the appropriate reforestation partners for the required time period to fulfill the certificates of reforestation issued to customers. A report is signed and issued by the accounting firm documenting that PrintReleaf has fulfilled the necessary financial requirements.
Our Certifying Bodies
World leaders in inspection, verification and certification, our third-party certifying bodies are recognized for quality and integrity around the world.
Post-Planting Field Audits
Verifying Tree Survival
PrintReleaf stands behind every offset so that our partners can be certain that they’re getting what they expect. That's why we have developed strict and innovative industry standards to verify the performance of our reforestation projects. More importantly, we can report back to our partners and end customers that their investments in our forests are verified and sustainable.
A rigorous industry standard for carbon offsets
ACR Carbon Offsets
ACR is a leading global carbon crediting program which enhances confidence in the integrity of carbon markets to catalyze transformational emission reductions. ACR creates confidence in the integrity of carbon markets to catalyze transformational climate results.
Verra Carbon Offsets
Verra sets the world’s leading standards for climate action and sustainable development. Validation and verification are critical to ensuring the integrity and quality of the projects registered in Verra’s programs and program methodologies. The Verra Registry ensures the uniqueness of projects and credits in the system.
