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PRINTERS
AND PRINTED MATTER
GECA
20-2004 Standard (PDF) |
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New Millennium Print
Printed
Matter compliant to the GECA Printers and Printed
Matter Standard
involving preferable printing methods from an
environmental point of view. |
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Product Marketing Name:
New Millennium Print Use and Application: All
General Printed Matter
Date of Certification: 11
February 2008
1. The Products
The printing services by New Millennium
Print have been
assessed against the GECA 20- 2004 – Printers and Printed Matter
Standard, and awarded with the Australian Good Environmental
Choice Eco-Label.
Core Environmental Criteria Tested:
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Environmental Requirements |
Core Environmental Performance Characteristics |
3.1 Fitness for Purpose
Certified products should be good performers in their intended
application. It is implied that certain standards of product
performance are implicit in the label. Certified product must
ensure that the product is fit for its intended purpose |
There is a comprehensive range of
administrative and production management systems in place
throughout the New Millennium Print operation. GECS has reviewed
a Quality Plan document created by Kieran May at the request of
GECS that details quality management methods, quality assurance
procedures, project quality control, audit and quality reviews,
a management escalation plan as well as quality plan approval
form. GECS has also received sample print jobs from clients of
NMP, and Sample print job forms (proof & quote attached for
customer sign off) as further evidence of fitness for purpose,
and is satisfied that the printed matter produced by the company
is of a high standard and meets the consumer expectations for
printed matter of this type. The company utilizes suitable proof
materials and processes to ensure that printed matter meets
customer's requirements and has been signed off prior to final
production. Finally, GECS has also conducted a site assessment
of the New Millennium Print printing facility, and concludes
that suitable quality assurance policies and procedures are in
place to satisfy the requirements of this criterion. |
3.2 Packaging Requirements
The plastics packaging of printed matter must not contain
chlorine (where the chlorine is chemically bound to the
polymer). Packaging must not contain plastics in which
phthalates are present. This requirement also applies to printed
matter from finishing subcontractors (e.g. book binders). |
New Millennium Print makes use of
cardboard cartons and sometimes shrinkwrap. GECS have reviewed
MSDS for the shrink-wrap plastic. No carcinogens or hazardous
materials are present in this plastic. GECS has received a
signed declaration from the supplier of the shrink film as well
as delivery dockets to confirm compliance to the requirements of
this criterion and prove continuity of supply respectively. |
3.3 Requirements as to Paper
and Raw Materials
The eco-labeled printed matter must consist of at least 90% by
weight of paper that fulfils the Good Environmental Choice
Australia Ltd. requirements for Publishing Paper GECA 4-2003 or
Recycled Paper Products GECA 11-2002, with the exception of
books, catalogs, binders, folders, pads, booklets and forms
which must consist of at least 80% by weight of paper which
fulfils the standard for Publishing Paper GECA 4-2003. Printed
packaging must consist at least 90% by weight of paper that
fulfils the Good Environmental Choice Australia Ltd.
requirements for Recycled Paper Products GECA 11-2002. |
New Millennium Print has committed
to using paper sourced in accordance with GECA Quality Assurance
Guidelines and Approved Paper Sources which explicitly limit the
publishing paper range that can be used by the printer. Periodic
audits will be conducted to ensure only compliant paper is used
in production. GECS has received a signed declaration stating
that only GECA approved paper sources will be used as amended
from time to time to reflect market availability. |
4.1 Production Methods
Requirements
The requirements are divided up into requirements relating to
the following four stages in the production of printed matter: o
Page production (the same requirements for all printing methods
except digital printing) o Form production o Printing o
Finishing (the same requirements for all printing methods) |
New Millennium Print utilizes a
Sheet feed printing press to deliver quality printed material to
the Australian market. They also use digital printing for some
applications. A wide range of evidence was gathered on site in
order to establish compliance and properly attribute points to
the requirements of the each production criteria. Notably, New
Millennium Print uses Computer to Plate (CtP) technology and
silicon plates. New Millennium Print also uses vegetable-based
inks exclusively to further reduce resource use, pollution and
VOCs emissions. Some alcohol is added in some cleaning
applications. New Millennium Print scored the maximum allowable
14 points in total against the requirements of this criterion
and is therefore compliant with the Printers and Printed Matter
Standard. |
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4.1.1 Page
production - all printing methods excluding digital printing |
All rinsing solution is collected
by hazardous waste contractors and some is reused. This has been
confirmed during a Site Assessment of the NMP printing facility.
There are no emissions to sewer. NMP Complies with the
requirements of these criteria. |
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4.1.2 Offset printing |
New Millennium Print has supplied
GECS with MSDS for the CTP chemicals used in their operation.
Both are water-based and contain no carcinogens. All other MSDS
are compliant with the requirements of these criteria and have
been reviewed by GECS |
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4.1.3 Printing, offset |
GECS has reviewed delivery dockets
from the hazardous waste collector and calculation from NMP as
to the consumption of paper and alcohol in day-to-day activities
and is confident NMP complies with the requirements of these
criteria. All MSDS for the inks, dyes, washing agents are
compliant with the requirements of these criteria and have been
reviewed by GECS |
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4.2 Finishing processes,
all printing methods and printed matter |
GECS has reviewed MSDS for the hot
melt adhesive, the lacquer used as well as the PP Lamination
with copolymer adhesive, and have found them to be compliant
with the requirements of these criteria. |
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4.3 Paper cutting waste -
requirements for all printing methods |
New Millennium Print has suitable
measures in place to recycle offcuts. It is expected that only
exceptional jobs will be exempt under this criteria and suitable
production systems and checks are in place to ensure compliance
to this criteria. Non conforming product will not be able to
display the Good Environmental Choice Label. The process for
identification of non conforming product has been agreed to and
implemented by New Millennium Print. |
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4.4.1 General requirements for
production chemicals The requirements concern all the
chemicals for which the requirements are set in the criteria
document. The requirement is concerning film developer, fixing
agent, plate developer, printing inks, toners, inks,
overprinting varnishes, varnishes, adhesives and laminations
which are used with production of ecolabelled printed matter.
The requirement is also valid for all the washing agents,
damping solution concentrate and damping solution additives and
algecides which are used in the process included in the
ecolabelling licence. |
GECS have received and inspected
the full Chemicals Register, and MSDS for all chemicals used in
the printing process, and are satisfied that this criterion is
met by New Millennium Print. |
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4.4.3 Requirement of washing
agents (washing solutions) o Washing agents must not contain
phthalates, nonylphenols (or derivatives of these), ethylene
glycol ethers (CAS: 111-77-3, 111-90-0, 109-86-4, 110-80-5) or
halogenated hydrocarbons. o The aromatic content in the washing
agents must not exceed 50 weight-% of the product. Exception:
Toluene may be used as washing agent in rotogravure. |
GECS have received and inspected
the full Chemicals Register, and MSDS for all chemicals used in
the printing process, and are satisfied that this criterion is
met by New Millennium Print. GECS has inspected all MSDS for
washing agents, and have found them to be compliant with the
requirements of this criterion. |
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4.4.4 Requirement of damping
solution concentrates, damping solution additives and
algaecides: o Biocides in damping solution concentrate, damping
solution additives and in algaecides must not be potentially
bioaccumulable (bioaccumulable if BCF =100 or log KO/W =3). This
must be tested in accordance with the test method in Section
6.1. o Damping solution concentrates, damping solution additives
and algecides must not contain phthalates, nonylphenols (or
derivatives of these), ethylene glycolethers (Cas: 111-77-3,
111-90-0, 109-86-4, 110-80-5) or halogenated hydrocarbons. |
The printed matter of New
Millennium Print meets this criterion of the Standard. |
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4.4.5 Requirements of additive
chemicals Printing ink, overprint varnish, toner, ink,
adhesive, lacquer and laminate must not contain a total of more
than 2% by weight of substances classified as environmentally
hazardous in accordance with EU Directive 67/548/EEC, 18th
adaptation or classified as acutely toxic, carcinogenic,
mutagenic or toxic to reproduction or any combination according
in accordance to the approved criteria for the classification of
hazardous substances by the Australian National Occupational
Health and Safety Commission. As an exception photocurable
printing inks (e.g. UV printing inks) may include a maximum 1%
of acutely toxic substances when photocured and toluene may be
used in rotogravure printing inks. |
GECS have reviewed MSDS for all
chemicals and inks used during production and has found them to
be compliant with the requirements of this criterion. |
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4.5 Waste management
requirements o The printing company and its subcontractors for
page production, printing form production, printing and
finishing processes must sort and handle the various types of
waste generated in the production of printed matter at source
and submit it for processing. A waste management plan must be
submitted detailing the sorting and processing of all types of
waste, e.g. hazardous waste, metal, plastic, paper waste.
Various types of paper including printing paper (waste paper)
board/corrugated board must be sorted and submitted these for
processing. o The licence-holder is required to sort and handle
for processing of electronic waste (at source). o Aluminium
printing plates and waste paper from production (from all stages
of the process) must be submitted for recycling. |
GECS have reviewed receipts for
disposal of cleaning rags. GECS has also reviewed a Waste
Management Plan by NMP that details waste minimization and
collection policies and procedures. A recycler is contracted to
collect waste paper and cardboard as well as clean off cuts. The
aluminum plates are collected, the drum is either compacted and
recycled or collected depending on hazardous content, and the
pallets are offered to third parties for reuse where possible,
otherwise they are collected for recycling as woodchips. GECS
has reviewed receipts confirming the ongoing engagement of these
services by NMP. |
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4.7 Continuous Environmental
Improvement The manufacturer should have a mechanism of
continuous environmental improvement which achieves and
quantifiable reduction of environmental load per tonne of
printed matter in one or more of particular impact categories. |
The requirement for continuous
environmental improvement is not relevant for the first
assessment and at the commencement of a licensing period. This
criterion will be assessed at the time of annual audit. The
purpose of this criterion is to encourage and provide clear
direction to recognised printers that the requirements of this
standard will be raised at the time of the subsequent revision. |
 View
New Millennium Print EPD
3. Environmental and Social Regulatory Obligations:
GECA also found the New Millennium
Print services to
be fully compliant with their obligations under Labour,
Anti-Discrimination, and Safety Regulations. The company
has not been the subject of prosecution in relation to
compliance with labour, anti- discrimination, safety
regulations and environmental regulations.
Additional Information
Good Environmental Choice Australia
recommends these products to green purchasing officers,
specifiers, and every day Australians seeking to
purchase products and services on the basis of
functional and overall environmental and human health
performance.
For more information contact New
Millennium Print directly:
New
Millennium Print
Address: 38 Kembla Street, Fyshwick Canberra ACT 2609
Postal
Address: PO Box 153, Fyshwick ACT 2609
Ph: +61 (02) 6280 8820
Fax: +61 (02) 6280 8887
E-mail: kieranmay@mmprint.com.au
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