FESPA are fortunate enough to be able to call upon a plethora of Planet Friendly Guru's from all over the world.  We have decided to make that knowldedge available to everyone with Ask the Expert!

Whether it be a print specific question about the latest environmental acreditation or legislation, a question about planet friendly inks or substraights, or perhaps a question about how to make your print business more planet friendly; we have got all the answers so feel free to ask away!

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Launched in 2009 in Amsterdam the revised FESPA Planet Friendly Guide is an essential resource for all screen and wide-format digital printers and is the most comprehensive one-source document available, containing up-to-date relevant European environmental legislation.

Authored by FESPA's Michel Caza, in collaboration with environmental consultant, Paul Machin, the Guide offers over 100 pages of expert content, including information and advice on water and air emissions, waste control, energy management and environmental best practice.

Reasons for the Planet Friendly Guide

During the first decade of this century there was clear evidence that climate change was becoming an international issue. At that time there was no comprehensive guide on all environmental issues that was available to the screen or digital printer. Whether it is believed that Climate Change and Global Warming is taking place or not, it is a subject that printers must be aware of if they wish to continue in business over the next decade. Why? Because the European Union (EU) Commission believes it is an issue that needs addressing. They will be taking potential punitive action to ensure corrective measures are implemented. This action will have a direct impact upon printers and their customers. What is the European approach? The European Union (EU) is committed to working constructively for a global agreement to control climate change, and is leading the way by taking an ambitious action of its own. Following the Kyoto Protocol the EU have generated a number of Directives. Further action has been taken following the Copenhagen Climate Conference in 2009 and the Durban Climate Conference in 2011. The more important actions are: Directive 2004/101/EC establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community, Directive 2001/77/EC on the promotion of the electricity produced from renewable energy source in the internal electricity market and Directive 2002/91/EC on the energy performance of buildings. This Directive will directly affect every printer across Europe in due course. Other environmental based Directives include; Directive 2010/75/EU Industrial Emissions from printing sites, Directive 2000/60/EC Community action in the field of water policy, Directive 2008/99/EC Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law and Hazardous Waste Directive 91/689/EEC affecting a sizeable proportion of printer’s waste. Regulation (EC) No 1005/2009 on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Following the Bali Roadmap the EU is determined to proceed with major reductions in emission levels of greenhouse gases following the Copenhagen Summit in 2009 and the Durban Climate Conference in 2011. Many printers do not have the time (or in some cases the ability) to fully understand the implications of environmental best practice and policy so FESPA has produced this guide in plain English to enable all printers understand the regulations better and what they need to do to ensure compliance with the many different aspects of the legislation.



Hear more about the guide from Paul Machin here

There are also links to external websites for additional information and guidance and the Guide is regularly updated to reflect ongoing changes to legislation, ensuring that FESPA’s Association members can keep up to date with any new information, regarding the environmental issues that affect them.


The Planet Friendly Guide is available to all printers, please click here to register and be sent the guide.

The most recent Planet Friendly Guide with the new legislation changes remains exlusive to members of FESPA National Associations for a limited time.

If you are a member, already have a password and would like to access the most recent Planet Friendly Guide click here

If you would like information on how to become a FESPA member, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Over the past two years I have been working with our industry’s governing bodies, equipment and material manufacturers, signmakers and print providers, as well as end-users, in order to understand how they can balance being green with running a profitable business.

I have seen real commitment from companies who want to deliver what they fundamentally believe in: environmental best practice, supported by responsibly sourced, quality products that have been developed with the environment in mind.

Further to the REACH Workshop in Brussels there has been some clarification on a number of important issues as well notice of further guidance being available on the European Chemicals Agency (EHCA) web site http://echa.europa.eu.

On 14 April 2008, the REACH Workshop "Final Countdown to pre-registration and registration of chemicals" took place in Brussels, organised by the European Commission and the European Chemicals Agency.