The Verdigris Project has announced the publication of ISO 16759, the standard that describes the framework for quantifying and communicating the carbon footprint of print media. The standard is not a carbon calculator but a specification for what carbon calculators should cover for print media products.
ISO 16759 is the first standard of its kind: a sector-specific implementation of generic carbon footprinting methodologies such as PAS 2050 and TS 14067. ISO 16759 provides a common reference for the development of carbon calculators for all sectors of the graphic arts industry, from labels and packaging to books, transactional documents and newspapers. Print buyers can use it to ensure that carbon calculations of print media products are produced using a common framework, minimising variables that might otherwise confuse results. ISO 16759 is essential for comparing the carbon impacts of print produced in different markets, or by different printing companies and methods.
The development of the standard started less than three years ago and, thanks to the support of the Verdigris membership, is now published. Verdigris is an environmental initiative that aims to help all parts of the print chain evaluate the carbon footprint of print and electronic media, from the point of file creation via production to final distribution, use and disposal. Verdigris members Agfa, Kodak and Ricoh played a key role in the development of the content of ISO 16759. The commitment of these companies to the Verdigris Project, alongside Digital Dots, Unity Publishing, Splash!PR, EFI, Fespa, Heidelberg, Mondi Paper, Xeikon, Shimizu Printing and Pragati Offset helped the volunteers who authored the standard to complete and publish it.
The full standard is available to buy from the ISO: http://tinyurl.com/l2py3uu.