The following non-profit organizations are helpful in understanding and addressing environmental compliance issues affecting printers.

• National Trade Associations
• Federal Government Programs
• National Non-governmental Organizations
• Contacts by State

National Trade Associations

Binding Industries Association (BIA) - a special interest group of the Printing Industries of America, represents a membership of privately and publicly owned graphic finishers, trade binderies, custom loose-leaf manufacturers, information packagers, and those suppliers to these industries.

Flexible Packaging Association - the leading trade organization for flexible packaging converters and suppliers

Flexographic Technical Association - flexographic trade association

Printing Industires of America / Graphics Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) - technical association for the graphic communications industries

Gravure Association of America - gravure trade association

The International Association of Printing House Craftsmen - dedicated to individuals in the printing and graphic arts industry for the purpose of self development, their companies' success, and the enhancement of the printing and graphic arts industry in society.

National Association of Litho Clubs - forum for the sharing of information among, and the education of, its members and affiliates. The NALC provides support, advice, and training for the officers of each local club

National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers - trade association whose purpose it is to represent the printing ink industry in the U.S.A and to provide direction to management in regulations and regulatory compliance

National Association for Printing Leadership - dedicated to helping the graphic arts community profit from change

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health - safety and health at work for all people through research and prevention.

North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS)

NPES, The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies

Packaging and Label Gravure Association

Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) - the only international association for specialty imaging, providing imaging professionals with the tools and information they need to make the best possible business decisions.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) System

Screenprinting and Graphic Imaging Association International - screenprinting trade association
[More screen printing links]

U. S. Screen Printing Institute - offers intensive professional training courses and workshops on screen printing and garment decorating

Waterless Printing Association - informs designers and print buyers about the many benefits the waterless printing process offers.

Federal Programs

Common Sense Initiative Printing Sector Homepage - U.S. EPA - broad-based agenda to make environmental and pubic health protection work smarter, more fairly, and more cost-effectively for all Americans

Design for the Environment - encourages businesses to incorporate environmental considerations into the design and redesign of products, processes, and technical and management systems

Environmental Management Systems - EMS is a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency, while reducing and mitigating risks.
EMS for Sectors

EPA Small Business Ombudsman - conduit for small businesses to access EPA and facilitates communications between the small business community and the Agency

Manufacturing Extension Partnership - nationwide network of more than 70 not-for-profit Centers whose sole purpose is to provide small and medium-sized manufacturers with the help they need to succeed

National Center for Environmental Research and Quality Assurance

Small Business Environmental Home Page - helps small businesses access environmental compliance and pollution prevention information

Technology Transfer Network/Small Business - EPA, states, and small businesses working together

USEPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance - responsible for ensuring the compliance of the regulated community with Federal environmental statutes

National Non-governmental Organizations

Allegheny Mountain Section of the Air & Waste Management Association - promoting better understanding of problems in the fields of air and water pollution and waste management and providing a means for exchanging information towards resolving those problems

BuildingTeam.com - building codes

Chlorine Free Products Association - trade association representing companies dedicated to implementing advanced technologies, and/or, groups supporting products free of chlorine chemistry

Conservatree - news on environmentally sound printing and writing papers

The Council of Great Lakes Governors - non-profit organization devoted to working cooperatively on public policy issues common to its eight member states

EHS Freeware - A free virtual library where you will find on-line databases of information, downloadable software, and lots of other interesting resources related to the environment, health & safety. All at no cost.

Environmental Defense Fund - not-for-profit environmental advocacy group with goals of stabilizing climate, safeguarding oceans, protecting health, and defending and restoring biodiversity

Environmental Defense Fund Chemical Scorecard

FlexoExchange - flexography on-line: information, products and services

Graphic Arts Show Company - graphic design, digital prepress, printing and converting trade shows

National Pollution Prevention Roundtable - global forum for promoting the dvelopment, implementation, and evaluation of efforts to avoid. eliminate or reduce pollution at the source.

National Soy Ink Information Center - information clearinghouse and resource for soy ink manufacturers and users

RadTech International - dedicated to the technical, educational and market advancement of Ultraviolet (UV) and Electron Beam (EB) Technology

Recycler's World - world wide trading site for information related to secondary or recyclable commodities, by-products, used & surplus items or materials.

Rochester Institute of Technology's Printing Industry Center

The Silver Council - developing and promoting the most equitable and environmentally sound methods of handling silver resulting from the photographic processes

SOLUTIONS Software Corporation -  reference CD-ROMs

Thomas Register of American

Trhubnet - Packaging, Plastics, Printing