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21.8.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
223/55
DECISIONS
COMMISSION DECISION
of 16 August 2012
establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for printed paper
(notified under document C(2012) 5364)
(Text with EEA relevance)
(2012/481/EU)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
2. Fixed
inserts
to
the
printed
paper
product
(not
intended
to
be removed) shall fulfil the requirements of the Annex to this
Decision. Inserts that are not fixed to the printed paper (such as
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
flyers, removable stickers) but sold or provided with it, shall
Union,
fulfil the requirements of the Annex to this Decision only if the
EU Ecolabel is intended to be placed on them.
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU
Ecolabel (
3. The product group ‘printed paper’ shall not include the

1 ), and in particular Article 8(2) thereof,
following:
After consulting the European Union Eco-labelling Board,
(a) printed tissue papers;
Whereas:
(b) printed paper products used for packaging and wrapping;
(1) Under
Regulation
(EC)
No
66/2010,
the
EU
Ecolabel
may
be awarded to those products with a reduced environ
(c) folders, envelopes, ring binders.
mental impact during their entire life cycle.
Article 2
(2) Regulation
(EC)
No
66/2010
provides
that
specific
EU
Ecolabel criteria are to be established according to
For the purpose of this Decision, the following definitions shall
product groups.
apply:
(3)
Since the chemicals used in the printed paper products
(1) ‘Books’ means yarn-bound and/or glue-bound printed
may hinder recyclability of printed paper products, and
paper products with hard or soft covers, such as school
may be hazardous for the environment and for human
books, fiction or non-fiction books, notebooks, exercise
health, it is appropriate to establish EU Ecolabel criteria
books, spiral-bound notebook, reports, calendars with
for the product group ‘printed paper’.
covers, handbooks and paperbacks. ‘Books’ do not
include journals, brochures, magazines, catalogues
(4) The
measures
provided
for
in
this
Decision
are
in
published on a regular basis and annual reports.
accordance with the opinion of the Committee estab
lished by Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010,
(2) ‘Consumables’ means chemical products used during the
printing, coating and finishing processes and capable of
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
being consumed, destroyed, dissipated, wasted, or spent.
Consumables include products such as printing inks and
dyes, toners, overprinting varnishes, varnishes, adhesives,
Article 1
washing agents and damping solutions.
1. The
product
group
‘printed
paper’
shall
comprise
any
printed paper product that consist of at least 90 % by weight
(3) ‘Folder’ means a folding case or cover for loose papers.
of paper, paperboard or paper-based substrates, except for
Folders include products such as indices dividers,
books, catalogues, pads, booklets or forms that shall consist
document wallets, square cut folders, suspension files,
of at least 80 % by weight of paper or paperboard or paper-
cardboard boxes and 3-flap folders.
based substrates. Inserts, covers and any printed paper part of
the final printed paper shall be considered to form part of the
printed paper product.
(4) ‘Halogenated organic solvent’ means an organic solvent
which contains at least one atom of bromine, chlorine,
( 1 ) OJ L 27, 30.1.2010, p. 1.
fluorine or iodine per molecule.

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Official Journal of the European Union
21.8.2012
(5) An ‘insert’ means an extra leaf or section, printed indepen
(13) ‘Washing agents’ (also sometimes known as cleaning
dently from the printed paper product which is either
agents or cleaners) means the following: (a) liquid
placed within the pages of a printed paper product and
chemicals used to wash printing forms, both separate
may be removed (loose insert) or bound into the pages of
(off-press) and integrated (in-press), and printing presses
the printed paper product and thus form an integral part
to remove printing inks, paper dust and similar
thereof (fixed insert). Inserts include multipage advertise
products; (b) cleaners for finishing machines and printing
ments, booklets, brochures, reply cards, or other
machines, such as cleaners to remove adhesive and varnish
promotional materials.
residues; (c) printing inks removers used in washing off
dried printing inks. Washing agents do not include
(6) ‘Newspapers’ means a publication issued daily or weekly
cleaning agents for cleaning other parts of the printing
containing news and printed on newsprint paper grade
machine or for cleaning other machines than printing
that is made from pulp and/or recovered paper, the
machines and finishing machines.
weight of which ranges between 40 and 65 g/m 2 .
(14) ‘Waste paper’ means paper generated during printing and
(7) ‘Non-paper components’ means all the parts of a printed
finishing processes, or while shaving or cutting paper or
paper product that do not consist of paper, paperboard or
during starting runs in the print workshop and the
paper based substrates.
bindery, which does not form part of the finished
printed paper product.
(8) ‘Packaging’ means all products made of any materials of
any nature to be used for the containment, protection,
handling, delivery and presentation of goods, from raw
Article 3
materials to processed goods, from the producer to the
In order to be awarded the EU Ecolabel under Regulation (EC)
user or the consumer.
No 66/2010, an item of printed paper shall fall within the
product group ‘Printed paper’ as defined in Article 1 of this
(9) A ‘printed paper product’ means the product resulting
Decision and shall comply with the criteria as well as the
from the processing of a printing material. The processing
related assessment and verification requirements set out in the
consists of printing onto paper. In addition to printing, the
Annex to this Decision.
processing may include finishing, for example folding,
stamping and cutting or assembling, using glue, binding,
yarn-binding. Printed paper products include newspapers,
Article 4
advertising materials and newssheets, journals, catalogues,
The criteria for the product group ‘Printed paper’, as well as the
books, leaflets, brochures, pads, posters, loose-leafs,
related assessment and verification requirements, shall be valid
business cards, and labels.
for three years from the date of adoption of this Decision.
(10) ‘Printing’ (or printing process) means a process whereby a
printing material is processed into a printed paper product.
Article 5
Printing includes pre-press, press, and post-press oper
For administrative purposes the code number assigned to
ations.
‘printed paper’ shall be ‘028’.
(11) ‘Recycling’ means any recovery operation by which waste
materials are reprocessed into products, materials or
Article 6
substances whether for the original purpose or other
purposes. It includes the reprocessing of organic material
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
but does not include energy recovery and the reprocessing
into materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling
operations.
Done at Brussels, 16 August 2012.
(12) ‘VOC’ (Volatile Organic Compounds) means any organic
compound as well as the fraction of creosote, having at
For the Commission
293,15 K a vapour pressure of 0,01 kPa or more, or
having a corresponding volatility under the particular
Janez POTONIK
conditions of use.
Member of the Commission

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EN
21.8.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
223/57
ANNEX
FRAMEWORK
The aims of the criteria
The criteria aim, in particular, at promoting the environmental efficiency of de-inkability and recyclability for printed
paper products, the reduction of VOC emissions, the reduction or prevention of risks for the environment and for human
health related to the use of hazardous substances. The criteria are set at levels that promote the labelling of printed paper
products that have a low environmental impact.
CRITERIA
These criteria are set for each of the following aspects:
1. Substrate
2. Excluded or limited substances and mixtures
3. Recyclability
4. Emissions
5. Waste
6. Energy
7. Training
8. Fitness for use
9. Information on the product
10. Information appearing on the EU Ecolabel
Criteria 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10 apply to the final printed paper product.
Criterion 2 applies both to the non-paper components of the printed paper product and to the printing, coating and
finishing processes of the paper components.
Criteria 4, 5, 6 and 7 apply to the printing, coating and finishing processes of the paper components only.
These criteria apply to all such processes undertaken at the site or sites where the printed paper product is manufactured.
If there are printing, coatings and finishing processes exclusively used for ecolabelled products, criteria 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7
shall apply only to those processes.
The ecological criteria do not cover the transport of raw materials, consumables and final products.
Assessment and verification requirements
The specific assessment and verification requirements are indicated within each criterion.
All printing on the printed paper product shall fulfil the criteria. Parts of the product that are printed by a sub-contractor
shall therefore also fulfil the printing requirements. The application shall include a list of all the printing houses and
subcontractors involved in the production of the printed paper, and their geographic locations.
The applicant shall provide a list of chemical products used in the printing house for the production of the printed paper
products. This requirement applies to all consumables used during the printing, coating and finishing processes. The list
provided by the applicant shall include the amount, function and supplier of any chemical product used, together with
the Safety Data Sheet, designed in accordance with Commission Directive 2001/58/EC ( 1 ).
Where the applicant is required to provide declarations, documentation, analyses, test reports, or other evidence to show
compliance with the criteria, it is understood that those may originate from the applicant and/or his supplier(s) and/or
their supplier(s), as appropriate.
( 1 ) OJ L 212, 7.8.2001, p. 24.

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Where appropriate, test methods other than those indicated for each criterion may be used if their equivalence is accepted
by the competent body assessing the application.
Where possible, the testing should be performed by laboratories that meet the general requirements of EN ISO 17025 or
equivalent.
Where appropriate, competent bodies may require supporting documentation and may carry out independent verifi
cations.
EU ECOLABEL CRITERIA
Criterion 1 — Substrate
(a) The printed paper product shall be printed only on paper bearing the EU Ecolabel as established in Commission
Decision 2011/333/EU ( 1 ).
(b) Where newsprint paper is used, the printed paper product shall be printed only on paper bearing the EU Ecolabel as
established in Commission Decision 2012/448/EU ( 2 ).
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the specifications of the printed paper products concerned, including
the trade names, amounts and weight/m 2 of the paper used. The list shall also include the names of the suppliers of the
papers used. The applicant shall provide a copy of a valid EU Ecolabel certificate for the paper used.
Criterion 2 — Excluded or limited substances and mixtures
(a) Hazardous substances and mixtures
Consumables that could end up in the final printed paper product, and that contain substances and/or mixtures
meeting the criteria for classification with the hazard statements or risk phrases specified below in accordance with
Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 3 ) or Council Directive 67/548/EEC ( 4 )
or substances referred to in Article 57 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the
Council ( 5 ) shall not be used for printing, coating, and finishing operations of the final printed paper product.
This requirement shall not apply to toluene for use in rotogravure printing processes where a closed or encapsulated
installation or recovery system, or any equivalent system, is in place to control and monitor fugitive emissions and
where the recovery efficiency is at least 92 %. UV varnishes and UV inks classified H412/R52-53 are also exempted
from this requirement.
The non-paper components (up to 20 % in weight, as specified in Article 1) that are part of the final paper product
shall not contain the substances referred to above.
List of hazard statements and risk phrases:
Hazard Statement ( 1 ) Risk
Phrase
( 2 )
H300 Fatal if swallowed R28
H301 Toxic if swallowed R25
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways R65
H310 Fatal in contact with skin R27
H311 Toxic in contact with skin R24
H330 Fatal if inhaled R26
H331 Toxic if inhaled R23
H340 May cause genetic defects R46
( 1 ) Decision of 7 June 2011 on establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for copying and graphic paper
(OJ L 149, 8.6.2011, p. 12).
( 2 ) Decision of 12 July 2012 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for newsprint paper (OJ L 202,
28.7.2012, p. 26).
( 3 ) OJ L 353, 31.12.2008, p. 1.
( 4 ) OJ 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1.
( 5 ) OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

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Hazard Statement ( 1 ) Risk
Phrase
( 2 )
H341 Suspected of causing genetic defects R68
H350 May cause cancer R45
H350i May cause cancer by inhalation R49
H351 Suspected of causing cancer R40
H360F May damage fertility R60
H360D May damage the unborn child R61
H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child
R60; R61; R60-61
H360Fd May damage fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child R60-R63
H360Df May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility R61-R62
H361f Suspected of damaging fertility R62
H361d Suspected of damaging the unborn child R63
H361fd Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child R62-63
H362 May cause harm to breast fed children R64
H370 Causes damage to organs
R39/23; R39/24; R39/25;
R39/26; R39/27; R39/28
H371 May cause damage to organs
R68/20; R68/21; R68/22
H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
R48/25; R48/24; R48/23
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
R48/20; R48/21; R48/22
H400 Very toxic to aquatic life R50
H410 Very toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects R50-53
H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long-lasting effects R51-53
H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects R52-53
H413 May cause long-lasting harmful effects to aquatic life R53
EUH059 Hazardous to the ozone layer R59
EUH029 Contact with water liberates toxic gas R29
EUH031 Contact with acids liberates toxic gas R31
EUH032 Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas R32
EUH070 Toxic by eye contact R39-41
( 1 ) As provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
( 2 ) As provided for in Directive 67/548/EEC.
Substances or mixtures which change their properties upon processing (e.g. become no longer bioavailable, undergo
chemical modification) so that the identified hazard no longer applies are exempted from the above requirement.

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Concentration limits for substances and mixtures which may be, or have been, assigned the hazard statements or risk
phrase listed above or which meet the criteria for classification in the hazard classes or categories, and concentration
limits for substances meeting the criteria of Article 57(a), (b) or (c) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, shall not
exceed the generic or specific concentration limits determined in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No
1272/2008. Where specific concentration limits are determined they shall prevail over the generic ones.
Concentration limits for substances meeting criteria set out in Article 57(d), (e) or (f) of Regulation (EC) No
1907/2006 shall not exceed 0,1 % weight by weight.
Assessment and verification: For substances not already classified in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, the
applicant shall prove compliance with these criteria by providing: (i) a declaration that the non-paper components
that are part of the final product do not contain the substances referred to in these criteria in concentration above the
authorised limits; (ii) a declaration that consumables that could end up in the final printed paper product and used for
printing, coating, and finishing operations do not contain the substances referred to in these criteria in concentration
above the authorised limits; (iii) a list of all consumables used for the printing, finishing and coating of the printed
paper products. This list shall include the quantity, function and suppliers of all the consumables used in the
production process.
The applicant shall demonstrate compliance with this criterion by providing a declaration on the non-classification of
each substance into any of the hazard classes associated to the hazard statements referred to in the above list in
accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, as far as this can be determined, as a minimum, from the
information meeting the requirements listed in Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. This declaration
shall be supported by summarised information on the relevant characteristics associated to the hazard statements
referred to in the above list, to the level of detail specified in Sections 10, 11 and 12 of Annex II to Regulation (EC)
No 1907/2006 (Requirements for the Compilation of Safety Data Sheets).
Information on intrinsic properties of substances may be generated by means other than tests, for instance through
the use of alternative methods such as in vitro methods, by quantitative structure activity models or by the use of
grouping or read-across in accordance with Annex XI to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. The sharing of relevant data
is strongly encouraged.
The information provided shall relate to the forms or physical states of the substance or mixtures as used in the final
product.
For substances listed in Annexes IV and V to REACH, exempted from registration obligations under Article 2(7)(a)
and (b) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 REACH, a declaration to this effect will suffice to comply with the
requirements set out above.
The applicant shall provide appropriate documentation on the recovery efficiency of the closed/encapsulated instal
lation/recovery system, or any equivalent system, that has been put in place to deal with the use of toluene in
rotogravure printing processes.
(b) Substances listed in accordance with Article 59(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006
No derogation from the prohibition set out in Article 6(6)(a) of Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 shall be granted
concerning substances identified as substances of very high concern and included in the list provided for in Article 59
of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, present in mixtures in concentrations higher than 0,1 %. Specific concentration
limits determined in accordance with Article 10 of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 shall apply where the concen
tration is lower than 0,1 %.
Assessment and verification: the list of substances identified as substances of very high concern and included in the
candidate list in accordance with Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 can be found here:
http://echa.europa.eu/chem_data/authorisation_process/candidate_list_table_en.asp
Reference to the list shall be made on the date of application.
The applicant shall prove compliance with the criterion providing data on the amount of substances used for the
printing of the printed paper products and a declaration stating that the substances referred to in this criterion are not
retained in the final product above the concentration limits specified. The concentration shall be specified in the safety
data sheets in accordance with Article 31 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

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(c) Biocides
Biocides, either as part of the formulation or as part of any mixture included in the formulation, that are used to
preserve the product and that are classified H410/R50-53 or H411/R51-53 in accordance with Directive 67/548/EEC,
Council Directive 1999/45/EC ( 1 ) or Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, are permitted only if their bioaccumulation
potentials are characterised by log Pow (log octanol/water partition coefficient) < 3,0 or an experimentally determined
bioconcentration factor (BCF) ≤ 100.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide copies of the material safety data sheets for all biocides used
during the different production stages, together with a documentation of the concentrations of the biocides in the
final product.
(d) Washing agents
Washing agents used for cleaning in printing processes and/or sub-processes that contain aromatic hydrocarbon shall
only be allowed if they are in compliance with point 2(b) and if one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
(i) The amount of aromatic hydrocarbons in the washing agent products used does not exceed 0,1 % (w/w);
(ii) The amount of aromatic hydrocarbon-based washing agent used annually does not exceed 5 % of the total
amount of washing agent used in one calendar year.
This criterion shall not apply to toluene used as washing agent in rotogravure printing.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the Safety Data Sheet for each washing agent used in a printing
house during the year to which the annual consumption refers. The washing agent suppliers shall provide declarations
of the aromatic hydrocarbon contents in the washing agents.
(e) Alkyl phenol ethoxylates — Halogenated solvents — Phthalates
The following substances or preparations shall not be added to inks, dyes, toners, adhesives, or washing agents or
other cleaning chemicals used for the printing of the printed paper product:
— Alkyl phenol ethoxylates and their derivatives that may produce alkyl phenols by degradation.
— Halogenated solvents that at the time of application are classified in the hazard or risk categories listed in point
2(a).
— Phthalates that at the time of application are classified with risk phrases H360F, H360D, H361f in accordance
with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with this criterion.
(f) Printing inks, toners, inks, varnishes, foils and laminates
The following heavy metals or their compounds shall not be used in printing inks, toners, inks, varnishes, foils and
laminates (whether as a substance or as part of any preparation used): cadmium, copper (excluding copper-phtha
locyanine), lead, nickel, chromium VI, mercury, arsenic, soluble barium, selenium, antimony. Cobalt can only be used
up to 0,1 % (w/w).
Ingredients may contain traces of those metals up to 0,01 % (w/w) deriving from impurities in the raw materials.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with this criterion as well as
declarations from ingredient suppliers.
Criterion 3 — Recyclability
The printed paper product shall be recyclable. The printed paper shall be de-inkable and the non-paper components of
the printed paper product shall be easily removable to ensure that those components will not hinder the recycling
process.
(a) Wet strength agents may be used only if the recyclability of the finished product can be proved.
( 1 ) OJ L 200, 30.7.1999, p. 1.

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(b) Adhesives may be used only if their removability can be proved.
(c) Coating varnishes and lamination, including polyethene and/or polyethene/polypropylene, may be used only for
covers of books, pads, magazines and catalogues, exercise books.
(d) The de-inkability shall be proved.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the test result of the recyclability for wet strength agents and
removability for adhesives. The reference test methods are PTS method PTS-RH 021/97 (for wet strength agents), INGEDE
Method 12 (for non-soluble adhesive removability), or equivalent test methods. The de-inkability shall be proven by using
the ‘Deinking Scorecard’ ( 1 ) of the European Recovered Paper Council or equivalent test methods. Testing must be
performed on three types of paper: uncoated, coated and surface-sized paper. If a type of printing ink is only sold for
one or two specific types of paper, it is sufficient to test the paper type(s) in question. The applicant shall provide a
declaration that coated and laminated printed paper products are in compliance with point 3(b). Where a part of a
printed paper product is easily removable (for instance a plastic cover or a reusable exercise book cover), the recyclability
test may be made without this component. The easiness of removal of the non-paper components shall be proven via a
declaration of the paper collecting company, the recycling company or an equivalent organisation. Test methods shown
by a competent and independent third party as giving equivalent results may also be used.
Criterion 4 — Emissions
(a) Emissions to water
Rinsing water containing silver from film processing, as well as from plate production, and photo-chemicals shall not
be discharged to a sewage treatment plant.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with this criterion, together with a
description of the management of photo-chemicals and silver containing rinsing water on site. Where the film
processing and/or the plate production are outsourced, the sub-contractor shall provide a declaration of compliance
with this criterion, together with a description of the management of photo-chemicals and silver containing rinsing
water at the subcontractors.
The amount of Cr and Cu discharged into a sewage treatment plant must not exceed, respectively, 45 mg per m 2 and
400 mg per m 2 of printing cylinder surface area used in the press.
Assessment and verification: discharges of Cr and Cu into the sewage shall be checked at rotogravure printing plants
after treatment and before their release. A representative sample of Cr and Cu discharges shall be collected each
month. At least one annual analytical test shall be carried out by an accredited laboratory to determine the content of
Cr and Cu in a representative sub-sample of these samples. Compliance with this criterion shall be assessed by
dividing the content of Cr and Cu, as determined by the annual analytical test, by the cylinder surface used in the
press during the printing. The cylinder surface used in the press during printing is calculated by multiplying the
cylinder surface (= 2πrL, where r is the radius and L the length of the cylinder) by the number of printing productions
during a year (= number of different printing jobs).
(b) Emissions to air
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
The following criterion must be met:
(P VOC – R VOC )/P paper < 5 [kg/tonnes]
Where:
P VOC = the annual total kilograms of VOC contained in the purchased chemical products used for the annual total
production of printed products
R VOC = the annual total kilograms of VOC destroyed by abatement, recovered from printing processes and sold, or
reused
P paper = the annual total tonnes of paper purchased and used for the production of printed products.
( 1 ) Assessment of Print Product Recyclability — Deinkability Score — User’s Manual, www.paperrecovery.org, ‘Publications’.

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Where a printing house uses different printing technologies, this criterion shall be fulfilled for each one separately.
The P VOC term shall be calculated from SDS information related to VOC content or from an equivalent declaration
provided by the supplier of chemical products.
The R VOC term shall be calculated from the declaration on the content of VOC contained in the chemical products
sold or from the internal counting register (or any other equivalent document) reporting the annual amount of VOC
recovered and reused on site.
Specific conditions for heat-set printing:
(i) For heat-set offset printing with an integrated after-burner unit in place for the drying unit, the following
calculation method shall apply:
P VOC = 90 % of the annual total kilograms of VOC contained in damping solutions used for the annual
production of printed products + 85 % of the annual total kilograms of VOC contained in washing
agents used for the annual production of printed products.
(ii) For heat-set offset printing, without an integrated after-burner unit in place for the drying unit, the following
calculation method shall apply:
P VOC = 90 % of the annual total kilograms of VOC contained in damping solutions used for the annual
production of printed products + 85 % of the annual total kilograms of VOC contained in washing
agents used for the annual production of printed products + 10 % of annual total kilograms of VOC
contained in the printing inks used for the annual production of printed products.
For (i) and (ii), proportionately lower percentages than 90 % and 85 % may be used in this calculation if more than
10 % or 15 % respectively of annual total kilograms of VOC contained in the damping solutions or washing agents
used for the annual production of printed products are shown to be abated in the treatment system for combusting
gases from the drying process.
Assessment and verification: a declaration of the VOC content in alcohols, washing agents, inks, damping solutions or
other corresponding chemical products shall be provided by the chemical supplier. The applicant shall provide
evidence of the calculation according to the criteria laid down above. The period for the calculations shall be
based on the production during 12 months. In case of a new or a rebuilt production plant, the calculations shall
be based on at least three months of representative running of the plant.
(c) Emissions from publication rotogravure printing
(i) Publication rotogravure printing emissions of VOC to air shall not exceed 50 mg C/Nm 3 .
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation showing compliance with this
criterion.
(ii) Equipment for reduction of emission to air of Cr 6 + shall be installed.
(iii) Emissions of Cr 6 + to air shall not exceed 15 mg/tonne paper.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a description of the system in place, together with a
documentation related to the control and the monitoring of Cr 6 + emissions. The documentation shall include
the test results related to the reduction of Cr 6 + emissions to the air.
(d) Printing processes to which no legislative measures apply
Volatile solvents from the drying process of heat-set offset and flexography printing shall be managed by means of
recovery or combustion or any equivalent system. In all cases where no legislative measures apply, the emissions of
VOC to air must not exceed 20 mg C/Nm 3 .
This requirement does not apply to screen printing and digital printing. Moreover it does not apply to heat-set and
flexography installations with solvent consumption lower than 15 tonnes per year.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a description of the system in place together with documen
tation and test results related to the control and the monitoring of emissions to air.

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Criterion 5 — Waste
(a) Waste management
The facility where the printed paper products are produced shall have in place a system for handling waste, including
residual products derived from the production of the printed paper products, as defined by local and national relevant
regulatory authorities.
The system shall be documented or explained and shall include information on at least the following procedures:
(i) handling, collection, separation and use of recyclable materials from the waste stream,
(ii) precovery of materials for other uses, such as incineration for raising process steam or heating, or agricultural use,
(iii) handling, collection, separation and disposal of hazardous waste, as defined by the relevant local and national
regulatory authorities.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with this criterion, together with a
description of the procedures adopted for waste management. Where appropriate, the applicant shall provide the
corresponding declaration to the local authority every year. Where the waste management is outsourced, the sub-
contractor shall provide a declaration of compliance with this criterion as well.
(b) Waste paper
The amount of waste paper ‘X’ produced shall be:
Printing method Maximum
Waste
paper
(%)
Sheet offset
23
Coldset, newspaper
10
Coldset, form printing 18
Coldset rotation (except newspapers and forms) 19
Heatset rotation
21
Gravure printing
15
Flexography (except corrugated fibreboard) 11
Digital printing
10
Offset
4
Flexography, corrugated fibreboard 17
Screen printing
23
where:
X = annual tonnes of waste paper produced during the printing (including finishing processes) of the ecolabelled
printed paper product, divided by annual tonnes of paper purchased and used for the production of ecolabelled
printed paper product.
Where the printing house carries out finishing processes on behalf of another printing house, the amount of waste
paper produced in those processes shall not be included in the calculation of ‘X’.
Where the finishing processes are outsourced to another company, the amount of waste paper resulting from the
outsourced work shall be calculated and declared in the calculation of ‘X’.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a description of the calculation of the amount of waste paper,
together with a declaration from the contractor collecting the waste paper from the printing house. The

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EN
21.8.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
223/65
outsourcing terms and calculations on the amount of paper waste involved in the finishing processes shall be
provided. The period for the calculations shall be based on the production during 12 months. In case of a new
or a rebuilt production plant, the calculations shall be based on at least three months of representative running of the
plant.
Criterion 6 — Energy use
The printing house shall establish a register of all energy consuming devices (including machinery, lightning, air
conditioning, cooling) and a programme consisting of measures for improvement of energy efficiency.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide the register of energy consuming devices together with the
improvement programme.
Criterion 7 — Training
All members of staff participating in day-to-day operation shall be given the knowledge necessary to ensure that the
Ecolabel requirements are fulfilled and continuously improved.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a declaration of compliance with this criterion, together with details
of the training programme, its content, and an indication of which staff have received what training and when. The
applicant shall provide to the Competent Body also a sample of training material.
Criterion 8 — Fitness for use
The product shall be suitable for its purpose.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide appropriate documentation in compliance with this criterion.
National or commercial standards, where relevant, may be used by the applicant to prove the fitness for use of the
printed paper products.
Criterion 9 — Information on the product
The following information shall appear on the product:
‘Please collect used paper for recycling’.
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a sample of the product packaging bearing the information required.
Criterion 10 — Information appearing on the EU Ecolabel
The optional label with text box shall contain the following text:
— This printed product is recyclable
— It is printed using paper with low environmental impact
— Emissions of chemicals to air and water of paper production and printing process have been limited
The guidelines for the use of the optional label with the text box can be found in the ‘Guidelines for the use of the EU
Ecolabel logo’ on the website:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/promo/pdf/logo%20guidelines.pdf
Assessment and verification: the applicant shall provide a sample of the printed paper product showing the label, together
with a declaration of compliance with this criterion.

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