SGIA Supports Compliance Extension in South Coast

for immediate release

FAIRFAX, VA — Screen printers in the California South Coast Air Quality Management District will likely get a short reprieve from compliance with a new solvent cleaning rule thanks to the advocacy efforts of the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association.

The District is currently considering changes to Rule 1171 covering Solvent Cleaning Operations, which will impact all screen printing operations located there due to the applicability threshold.

Based on both independent and SGIA research, the District decided to extend the compliance date for Rule 1171 until July 1, 2006.

At a public workshop held on January 27, the District continued its evaluation of the feasibility of utilizing solvents with a VOC content of 100 grams per liter for cleaning activities within the screen printing industry. At the workshop, SGIA indicated its support of the District’s move to extend the compliance deadline — an extension that is applicable to all screen printing operations.

“SGIA remains committed to assisting the District with the analysis and provision of information that will allow the industry to adopt lower VOC technologies,” maintained Marci Kinter, the Association’s Vice President for Government Affairs.

The District is also proposing to adopt an interim VOC limit of 500 grams of VOC per liter for the screen printing industry.

“Based on a review of currently available products, we believe that the screen printing industry can effectively meet this proposed VOC content limit for the cleaning of ink application equipment,” said Kinter.

Because this rule impacts all facilities operating in the District, it is “imperative that all studies conducted to determine the feasibility and availability of a reduced VOC limit explore the impact on the screen printing industry sector,” she stressed.

To read the full comments submitted by SGIA to the District, visit the Newsroom at SGIA Government Affairs: One Stop Shop, where you'll find the essentials to support your business success. For more information, contact Marci Kinter: 888.385.3588 or marcik@sgia.org.

SGIA is Leading a New Generation of Imaging Professionals.“Specialty imaging” comprises digital imaging, screen printing and the many other imaging technologies SGIA members use, including those they’ll tap in the future.  These are the imaging processes and technologies employed to create new products and to enhance existing products including point-of-purchase displays, signs, advertisements, garments, containers, and vehicles.

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