SGIA Participates in SGP Partnership Stakeholder Meeting

For Immediate Release
November 29, 2007
Contact: Marguerite Higgins, SGIA
703.359.1310
mhiggins@sgia.org

Fairfax, Virginia -- The Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership held its first stakeholder meeting this week in Arlington, Virginia, bringing together key players from SGIA, the Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, the Flexographic Technical Foundation and government agencies to discuss how to establish certifications for green printing practices. http://www.sgppartnership.org/

The partnership used the first meeting to gather information and analyze performance standards for all printing platforms that would reinforce sustainable green printing policies.

"Increasing demand from customers, environmental groups, investment firms and government agencies is putting pressure on specialty imaging businesses of all sizes to prove they use sustainable business practices in their production process," said Marci Kinter, SGIA's Vice President of Government & Business Information.

"This partnership's goal is to create realistic guidance and a credible registry of printing facilities that meet these eco-conscious standards," she added.

In addition to trade groups and SGIA member companies, representatives from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Audubon International and GreenTrack Strategies also attended the meeting to provide regulatory insight.

One unanimous concept from the stakeholder group was to make sure the focus of sustainable printing would not be solely on environmental issues but on three important factors: People, profits and the planet.

"The meeting ended on a high note, with partner organizations outlining the next steps we'll take," Kinter said. Those next steps include a second stakeholder meeting in January as well as plans to launch the sustainable green printing registry at the National Environmental, Health and Safety Conference (March 10-12, 2008; Indianapolis).

As part of the SGIA Information Network, SGIA members will receive details on sustainable business practices and how they can become certified and listed in the registry. Learn more about the SPG Partnership at www.sgppartnership.org.

SGIA -- Supporting the Leaders of the Digital & Screen Printing Community
"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. To make the most of your specialty imaging business, take full advantage of the information on SGIA.org.

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