The International Standards Organization (ISO) technical committee 130 (TC 130), focused on graphic technology, has launched a new Working Group (WG) WG11 to develop a set of standards to cover the environmental impact of print.
WG11 is currently working on ISO draft 16759, the requirements for measuring the carbon footprint of printed products, and the group is in the process of producing the first draft which is available for review, with February 4th set as a deadline for comments.
“Standards work is time consuming, unforgiving, unrelenting and unpaid, so it’s no surprise that printers and publishers are reluctant to do their bit,” notes Laurel Brunner, publisher of Digital Dots and founder of the Verdigris Project (a site dedicated to print and the environment ). “However the work has a profound and long lasting impact on the industry’s competitiveness. It’s important because it provides a mechanism for constant improvement in print production means and methods.”
Printing industry participants with an interest in the environmental impact of print are being encouraged to join WG11 and take an active role in developing the standard.
The aim of WG11, says Brunner, is to have the new standard complete by drupa 2012 (May 3-16, 2012, Dusseldorf, Germany).
