Probita Ltd is helping suppliers comply with the new certification which comes into effect in 2003.

The British Retail Consortium/ Institute of Packaging Technical Standard for Companies Manufacturing and Supplying Food Packaging Materials for Retailer Branded Products will mean that companies not complying will be severely disadvantaged in an increasingly competitive market.

Probita launched in October to offer evaluation and certification services in relation to the standard. Chief executive officer Alan Redrup said: 'Probita staff and associates have extensive combined experience of management and quality systems, especially in the food packaging industry. This wealth of expertise is now available to companies manufacturing and supplying food packaging materials who wish to seek independent audit and certification to the technical standard.'