Clean Printing – SGC 29161:2023
The real deal.
The standard developed by Swiss Global Cert© certifies companies that are active in theprinting industry and have demonstrated an exclusively sustainable production and value chain.
Certified companies undertake to constantly review and comply with the criteria set out inthe standard. It is not enough for them to keep the “ecological footprint” low, they go into verifiable detail, the fingerprint.
This means that “green washing” and similar measures that claim to be “green” or”sustainable” and are certified by other “green” or “blue” labels are excluded.
In order to ensure the implementation and control of sustainable processes certain organizational requirements are imposed:
1. General
The company is operating in the printing industry and is already using sustainable printing practices or intents to implement sustainable printing practices in the near future.The company is committed to consistently improve its sustainable printing practices and to contribute to the protection of the environment.
The CleanPrinting certificate is issued under the following conditions:
• The company complies with environmental legislation
• The company has executed the steps that provide the framework for CleanPrinting
• The company uses sustainable printing practices or intends to implement sustainable printing practices in the near future.
If all requirements are met, the certificate is issued for a period of three years. After this period a recertification must be done.
The certificate is issued unconditionally if the company has successfully implemented all the requirements of CleanPrinting29161:2023.
The certificate is issued conditionally if the company does not yet meet all the requirements of CleanPrinting29161:2023, but is on the way to compliance, is committed to sustainability and implements the missing requirements within a predetermined period.
Swiss Global Cert© reserves the right to conduct an annual control audit.
2. Environmental legislation
2.1 General
Environmental protection is a global concern and many states around the world have issued environmental protection law to minimize the impact of harmful effects or nuisances on the environment, preserve biological diversity and protect people, animals and plants.
As the printing industry often uses environmentally harmful chemicals, produces large amounts of CO2 emissions and challenges the environment in other ways, companies are expected to comply with state environmental laws and regulations in their state of domicile.
In order to demonstrate compliance with environmental protection law, the company has issued an environmental protection policy, which lists the critical aspects and documents the necessary adjustments(q.v.sec. 3.6).
2.2 Switzerland
Switzerland has issued the Federal Act on the Protection of the Environment (Environmental Protection Act, EPA) on October 7,1983. According to art. 1 sec.1EPA this act is intended to protect people, animals and plants, their biological communities and habitats against harmful effects or nuisances and to preserve the natural foundations of life sustainably, in particular biological diversity and the fertility of the soil.
Stricter regulations in other federal legislation are reserved (art. 3 sec. 1 EPA).
An overview of current environmental law in Switzerland can be found on the website of the Federal Office for the Environment.
Companies based in Switzerland must comply with current swiss environmental regulations. Each company is self-responsible to ensure compliance with national and international regulations at any given time.
2.3 Germany
Germany has issued a variety of acts and ordinances on environmental protection.
An overview of current environmental law in Germany can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection.
Companies based in Germany must comply with current german environmental regulations.
Each company is self-responsible to ensure compliance with national and international regulations at any given time.
2.4 Other States
Most states around the world have issued a variety of environmental acts and regulations. Each company is self-responsible to ensure compliance with national and international regulations at any given time.
3. General Requirements on Environmental Protection
3.1 Energy sources
The printing industry is dependent on a large amount of energy. Energy consumption includes not only the production of finished printed products, but also the production of paper and printing ink. Therefore, the company undertakes to purchase exclusively ecological electricity.
The company installs and uses at least one of its own renewable energy sources. For example, the company installs and uses its own solar panels.
3.2 CO2 Emissions
CO2 emissions can occur during the entire production process. This includes the production of finished printed products, but also the production of paper and printing ink as well as transportation. Depending on the suppliers and printing methods, these processes can lead to a significant increase of CO2 emissions.
The company must commit to reduce its CO2 emissions and to become CO2 neutral. Therefore, the company follows the Greenhouse Gas Protocol or an equivalent protocol to measure, reduce and offset CO2 emissions.
Possible means to reduce CO2 emissions are:
• Investing in energy-efficient or energy-saving equipment
• Increasing energy consumption from renewable sources
• Working with sustainable suppliers
• Working with sustainable suppliers
• Using recycled or sustainable supplies
• Supporting the use of environmentally friendly means of transport (e.g. bicycle) for commuting
The company must be able to prove its commitment to CO2 reduction in writing. The company must record the exact steps taken to reduce CO2 in writing and review its progress on a regular basis.
The company commits to replace its vehicles with electric vehicles or pursue another CO2 reduction plan in the field of mobility and transportation.
3.3 Resource Management
In order to ensure the continuous improvement of sustainable development, the company is committed to conserve resources.The company develops a strategy to conserve resources.
3.4 Mission Statement
The mission statement of a company is an important means of maintaining its own ecological values and communicating them to the outside world. The communication of the mission statement is also intended to inspire other companies to follow an environmentally friendly strategy and to raise environmental awareness.
The company has a mission statement that shows its commitment towards environmental protection.
The company uses its ecological mission statement in communication with the outside world and promotes its commitment to sustainability.
3.5 Environmental Projects
The support of environmental projects is essential to raise environmental awareness. Therefore, it is important to invest in regional, national or international projects and to communicate those efforts to clients, partners and competitors. With the support of environmental projects, the company not only shows its own efforts, but it might inspire others to follow the same path.
The company supports at least two different environmental (e.g. protections of nature or animals) and / or social (e.g. environmental education for children) projects. At least one of them supports the regional or, if not available, national environment.
3.6 Environmental Protection Policy
The environmental protection policy serves to establish the company’s ecological mission statement, to document measures, to ensure compliance with state regulations on environmental protection and to record further processes in relation to sustainability. The company must establish an environmental protection policy.
The environmental protection policy shall contain at least the following elements:
• Overview of the company and its business activities
• Environmental mission statement
• Responsibilities in relation to environmental protection
• Critical aspects in relation to environmental protection law and measures taken
• Use of renewable energy
• Measures to reduce CO2 emissions
• Resource management strategy
• Investments in environmental projects
• Process landscape
• Environmental criteria assessment
4. Sustainable Printing Practices
4.1 Printing Process
The choice of printing process is an important starting point on the road to sustainability and environmental protection.
Many printing companies use UV or LE(D)-UV in their printing process. This technology is being courted on the basis that the ink dries faster, saving time and energy. However, irradiation with UV or LE(D)-UV produces plastic, which has a negative impact on the environment.
For this reason, it is required that the printing company uses a conventional offset printing process or another ecological printing process.
Further, the company does not use toxic additives (e.g. UV detergents)in the printing process
4.2 Printing Plates
The production and use of printing plates consumes considerable amounts of resources. The process requires a significant amount of chemicals, energy and water.
There is a large selection of printing plates which can be used for different printing processes.One of the most resource-efficient and environmentally friendly printing plates is the process less printing plate.
The company uses exclusively process-less printing plates.
If the company uses other printing plates, it must be able to justify the deviation from an environmental point of view.
4.3 Printing Ink
Different types of printing inks are used in the printing industry. Printing ink usually consists of dyes, binders, solvents and auxiliaries.In particular, binders and solvents can have harmful effects on the environment. Printing companies often use binders that contain mineral oil because they are generally cheaper. Mineral oils are produced by distillation of crude oil and have harmful effects on human and nature. In addition, mineral oils cannot be easily dissolved out in the recycling process, which hinders the recycling of paper.
Therefore, the company uses exclusively bio printing ink which is free of mineral oil.
4.4 Isopropyl Alcohol
The use of alcohol in the printing process is widespread. Especially in offset printing, alcohol, namely isopropyl alcohol (IPA), is used to reduce the surface tension of the dampening solution, to ensure more effective wetting of the rollers and printing plate and to stabilize the ink-water balance. The use of IPA has many disadvantages, such as negative effects on the health of employees, problems with the storage of the highly flammable substance and harmful environmental influences.
For many years, the printing industry has focused on reducing or replacing IPA in the printing process–with success.
Therefore, the company produces at least 90% of its products without IPA.
4.5 Waste and Recycling
The printing industry can produce significant amounts of waste if printing processes are not designed efficiently. An efficient printing process can save both money and paper, thus protecting the environment.
For this reason, the company is committed to taking measures to reduce the production of waste.
In this context, it should be noted that the reuse of paper and other material has a significant impact on improving sustainability. By reusing paper and material, among other things, deforestation can be reduced, transport routes can be saved, the production of waste can be reduced and the environment can be protected. For these reasons, the recycling of paper and other materials is essential.It should be noted that recycling requires careful separation of materials.
Therefore, the company undertakes to carry out the careful separation of recyclable material and to support the recycling process.
4.6 Required Certifications
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has set the goal to nurture responsible forestry so forests and people can thrive. The FSC has developed a label that is a trusted mark for sustainable forestry.
Since the printing industry requires large quantities of products from forestry, the company must be able to prove an FSC certificate or a similar certificate.
In order to ensure a smooth process and demonstrate the ability to produce high quality print products, the company must be certified byISO-12647 or demonstrate a similar certificate.
Further certificates are expressly welcomed, especially certificates for environmental or climate protection
5. Organizational Context and Resources
5.1 Personnel
The company defines a person or team that is responsible for the execution, control, direction and management of all processes and operations related to CleanPrinting.
The personnel responsible for execution and control of the tasks in the scope of CleanPrinting must be employed based on the competences that they possess and that are needed for the respective position. The company must make sure that the personnel possess required experience, knowledge and qualifications for carrying out the tasks and take responsibilities designated to the specific position.
The tasks and responsibilities of the personnel must be clearly defined, documented and communicated.
5.2 Documentation and Records Requirements
The company regularly documents all measurements and other relevant data to ensure sustainability. All data concerning CleanPrinting must be securely stored and archived.
Required Documentation:
- Company’s strategy
- CleanPrinting objectives
- Documented processes and policies
- Tasks and responsibilities of personnel involved inCleanPrinting processes
6. Execution and Control
6.1 General
The company is responsible for implementation and control of all required CleanPrinting processes and requirements.
The commitment to sustainability as well as specific targets and strategies must be recorded, communicated and made publicly available.
The intention to support the environment and raise environmental awareness must be published on the company’s website, social media and marketing materials. Furthermore, reports must be published regularly to demonstrate compliance with communicated goals and strategies. Internal audits must be carried out and the company has to be ready for an external audit at any time.
The company must develop a set of KPIs for objective measurements of its performance.
6.2 Performance Evidence
At least once a year, a meeting must be held with the personnel responsible for CleanPrinting,t he management and other people concerned. At this meeting, the progress, KPIvalues, potential for improvement, measures and other CleanPrinting relevant agenda items must be discussed.
As a result of the meeting, CleanPrinting objectives must be set for the next year.
It is necessary that the meeting is minuted and all decisions concerning CleanPrintingare recorded in writing.
The personnel responsible for CleanPrinting ensures that what has been discussed is also implemented.
6.3 Documentation and Records Control
The company ensures that all data concerning CleanPrinting is securely stored and archived for at least ten years. All data must be updated at least once a year. The stored data must always be kept up to date.
The company must establish and implement appropriate procedures to manage and control documents and records.
The company must ensure the availability of the documents and records.All the employees must have access to the documents and records. The company must makesure that all the personnel is provided with information about the relevant processes and procedures.
There must be a rule regarding informing the employees about the changes and updates of the relevant documents.
6.4 Improvement
The company must always strive to improve its processes, reduce its environmental footprint and optimize sustainability.The personnel responsible for CleanPrinting ensures that the management and the entire company is informed about sustainability and operations related to CleanPrinting.
The company itself is responsible for ensuring compliance with the CleanPrinting SGC 29161:2023 standard. Swiss Global Cert© reserves the right to conduct an audit at any time to verify the measures taken and improvements made.
The quality management system and its components must aim to constantly improve processes and achievements of quality objectives as well as eliminate the causes and potential chances of nonconformities.
Both internal (employees) and external (customers, partners) parties shall be able to contribute to the improvement process.
The opportunities for improvement shall be based on the analysis of the following:
- Performance evaluation outcomes
- Customer feedback
- Employee feedback
- Analysis of quality objectives
- Analysis of risks and opportunities
- Analysis of performance evaluation
- Internal audit
The quality assurance officer and the general management must annually analyze and discuss these factors in order to identify the opportunities for improvements.
The company must document the improvements and implement actions to achieve them. A procedure to monitor and measure the positive outcomes of such action must be established.
The detailed description of the Clean Printing-SGC 29161:2023 certificate
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The checklist for the Clean Printing-SGC 29161:2023 certificate
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