SGP Partnership Seeks Comments on Sustainability Certification Criteria

The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP), an authority in sustainability certification for the printing industry, announces a public review period for version 4.0 of its certification criteria. SGP certification is attainable by sustainable print facilities that complete the certification requirements and comprehensive facility audit evaluating three areas of sustainability: people, planet, and profit.

The SGP criteria revision proposed demonstrates a higher level of commitment of printing industry facilities to sustainable business practices, including a mandatory solid waste audit, comprehensive quarterly metrics on energy, water, and facility management.

“Every five years, we review the SGP certification criteria to ensure continued relevance,” says Marci Kinter, SGP vice-chair, technical committee. “In the proposed revised criteria, we moved to incorporate elements that spoke to the circular economy in addition to the continued effort to strengthen best practices. Our goal is that through the certification criteria, SGP certified facilities continue to be leaders in sustainable practices for the printing industry.”

Jonathan Graham, SGP chair and TE connectivity representative, adds, “The proposed criteria is groundbreaking as it focuses on the purpose of a sustainably-driven company, so brands and print buyers can be assured SGP certified printers take the entire life cycle of print into account. It`s also a tool to easily validate sustainability claims made by the print facility.”

During the review, open until Sept. 30, 2021, SGP invites the public to comment and suggest any criteria revisions. The criteria document is on the SGP website at sgppartnership.org/2021-certification-revision/.