Typically it is expressed as being "Health, wealth and happiness." This statement may be attributed to James Allen the British philosophical writer from the quotation; "A man is not rightly conditioned until he is a happy, healthy, and prosperous being; and happiness, health, and prosperity are the result of a harmonious adjustment of the inner with the outer of the man with his surroundings." But what does this mean to the everyday person and particularly the printer?

Those who read my energy blog earlier this year will not be surprised that the EU Commission now does not believe that the EU will meet its energy reduction target of 20% by 2020. In fact the latest projection (see below) would indicate only a 9% reduction.

The title is a quote from Thomas Edison (1847 – 1931), the American inventor. To complete the quotation; "The time is coming when every person who lays claim to ability will keep the question of waste before him constantly. The scope of thrift is limitless."

The advertising and wide format print industries have been collaborating for years to try and make greener billboards, but no one has been able to master the trick – until now. With the unveiling of Europe's first 'eco-board' at a site next to the M4 motorway in London in late June, Ricoh has set the digital signage bar high for others to follow.

 

Once again, screen and digital printers all over Europe owe one man a considerable debt of gratitude for fighting on behalf of them, this time on the Eco label front. His support and contribution to this industry for over 40 years is considerable.

Is the environment important? Do you care? Perhaps not! Forty years ago only Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, World Wildlife Fund and a few tree-huggers were interested. If you are concerned what changed your mind? Was it the reports of global warming or climate change? Was it the potential marketing opportunities, financial benefits or concern about the legacy that you would be leaving your children or grandchildren? These are all valid reasons. My reason was based on a more scientific bias. Although not the blinding light on the road to Damascus nevertheless it was significantly serious to warrant a radical re-think.

Europe's companies need a secure supply of energy at affordable prices in order to maintain a competitive edge. At the same time, the negative effects of energy use, particularly fossil fuels, on the environment must be reduced. That is why EU policy needs to create a competitive internal energy market by developing renewable energy sources, reducing dependence on imported fuels with a lower consumption of energy.

December 1st 2010 was a very important day.

I am going to REACH Out to printers especially the 69 in Europe and the 2056 in the rest of the world who must have been lost in the snows of the Arctic or Antarctic or sunning themselves in the Maldives because they have not heard about REACH. All the other readers can go straight to paragraph two of the blog to obtain the latest information that will affect them. REACH is the acronym for the European Union (EU) regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals. At this stage I must offer an apology as it was an English politician, Michael Meacher who proposed to the European Ministers, I hasten to add with the active support of Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and others, that chemicals are hazardous. What a surprise considering all humans are based entirely on chemicals! The result is that the EU decided it was a great idea that every chemical should be tested but at the expense of the manufacturer. This process started in 2007 and on December 1st 2010 all chemicals that are sold in quantities exceeding 1000 tonnes per annum must have been registered by that date.

There is a concerted effort on behalf of the European Union (EU) and other nations to reduce the level of greenhouse gases (GHG) that are emitted into the environment as it is believed that GHGs have a major adverse impact upon climate change. One of the major classes of substances included within the scope of GHGs is volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). Typically solvents, obviously excluding water, used within the printing industry in inks, cleaners, thinners and retarders are VOCs.

Some FESPA members may be aware of the European Union’s (EU) attempts to engender interest in the Eco-label. For those who have not been acquainted with this topic the intention is to generate a sign to signify that the printed product is environmentally friendly; whatever that means. If printers are bewildered, is it surprising?

Starting with the various statements from politicians for and against climate change, there is the questionable evidence from scientists and others. If this was not sufficient to confuse add to this mix the requirements of the “Nordic Swan,” the German “Blue Angel,” life cycle analysis, carbon footprint, Climate Change Levy and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Is it surprising that many printers choose to close their minds to these issues?