Blauer Engel –Environmental Print Product Certification

Blauer Engel (Blue Angle)

Environmental Print Product Certification

Blauer Engel Certification for Printed Products (DE-UZ 195)

Sustainable Print Production with the Blue Angel Environmental Label

The Blauer Engel (Blue Angel) is Germany’s official eco-label and one of the most respected environmental certifications worldwide.
Established in 1978, it distinguishes products and services that meet strict environmental, health, and quality standards.
For the printing industry, the relevant standard is DE-UZ 195 – Printed Products (“Druckerzeugnisse”), developed by the German Environment Agency (UBA) and administered by RAL gGmbH.

At Reprointelligence, we provide specialized consulting and technical support to guide printing companies through the complete Blauer Engel certification process – from eligibility assessment to documentation and successful application.

Why Choose the Blauer Engel Label?

The Blue Angel mark represents trust, transparency, and environmental excellence.
It helps print service providers demonstrate measurable sustainability achievements and meet expectations from European clients and public procurement tenders.

The Blauer Engel label for printed products aims to:

  • Reduce environmental impacts from paper, inks, and printing processes
  • Promote recycled paper use and efficient recycling loops
  • Limit volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions
  • Substitute hazardous substances with safer alternatives
  • Reduce energy consumption and production waste
  • Ensure printed materials are recyclable and deinkable

Scope of Certification (DE-UZ 195)

The Blauer Engel certification for printed products applies to graphical printing materials made primarily from paper or cardboard — not to packaging materials.

Eligible product types include:

  • Books, magazines, newspapers, brochures, catalogues
  • Flyers, posters, folders, and display cards
  • Annual reports, manuals, and directories
  • Printed envelopes, postcards, and decorative calendars

Excluded are: packaging, labels, notepads, and other finished stationery items covered by separate Blue Angel standards (e.g., DE-UZ 14b).

Unlike most certifications, the Blauer Engel is product-specific – it certifies individual products or product groups, not entire companies.
Each certified product must independently fulfill all defined criteria.

Accepted Printing Technologies

To qualify for DE-UZ 195, the product must be produced using one or more of the following processes:

  • Sheet-fed offset printing
  • Coldset web offset printing
  • Heatset or LED-UV web offset printing
  • Gravure printing (illustration gravure)
  • Flexographic printing
  • Digital printing (toner or aqueous inkjet)

Currently not permitted: screen printing, UV, and packaging printing processes.

Key Environmental Requirements

1. Paper and Substrates

Only papers and boards that meet the criteria of
Blauer Engel DE-UZ 14a (Recycling Paper), DE-UZ 14b, or DE-UZ 72 (Printing & Press Paper) are allowed.
These materials must consist mainly of recycled fibers and be fully recyclable after use.

2. Excluded Materials

The following substances must not be used in certified products:

  • PVC or other non-recyclable plastics
  • Chromium-plated metals (except for specific binders)
  • Adhesives containing Diisobutylphthalate (DIBP)

3. Printing Inks, Toners, and Coatings

  • No heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium VI, cobalt, mercury, nickel)
  • No azo pigments releasing aromatic amines
  • No mineral oil hydrocarbons with >1% aromatic compounds
  • Use of inks based on renewable raw materials (not GMO or rainforest-derived)

4. Solvents and VOC Emissions

Solvent use is strictly limited, based on kilograms of volatile organic compounds (VOC) per ton of paper processed:

  • Sheet-fed offset: ≤ 3–4 kg/t
  • Coldset web offset: ≤ 2 kg/t
  • Heatset or LED-UV web offset: ≤ 2 kg/t
  • LED-UV offset: ≤ 1 kg/t

Heatset printers must also monitor VOC emissions continuously and keep exhaust concentrations below defined thresholds.

5. Cleaning Agents and Fountain Solutions

  • Cleaning agents must have a flash point ≥ 55°C, ideally above 100°C.
  • Alcohol (isopropanol/ethanol) in fountain solutions may not exceed 3% by volume.
  • Continuous alcohol monitoring is required for multi-unit presses.

6. Adhesives and Bindings

Adhesives must not interfere with paper recycling.
Water-dispersible or easily removable glue systems are mandatory.

7. Waste and Energy Efficiency

Printing plants must document:

  • Annual paper waste ratios (typically 10–20%, depending on process)
  • Energy consumption for all machines, HVAC, and lighting systems
  • Energy optimization measures and recovery of waste heat (especially for Heatset dryers)

8. Hazardous Substance Register

A comprehensive list of all hazardous materials (Gefahrstoffverzeichnis) must be maintained in accordance with German and EU safety legislation, including safety data and hazard statements (H-codes).

Application and Certification Process

  1. Define the product(s) and applicable printing process.
  2. Collect all documentation: material datasheets, supplier certificates, emission data, waste and energy balances.
  3. Prepare the solvent balance and hazardous substances list.
  4. Submit the digital application to RAL gGmbH (the awarding body).
  5. Undergo review by RAL and the German Environment Agency (UBA).
  6. Receive the Blauer Engel certificate and right to use the label on the approved product(s).

Foreign companies — including those with production outside of Germany — may apply, provided all documentation and testing meet German requirements.

Cost Overview

  • Consulting and preparation: Deppending on scope and extend starting at USD 6,000 for isolated Blauer Engel preparations or included in case of RI-Consulting Contracts
  • RAL application fee (extern): 600 EUR for the first product, 300 EUR for extensions
  • Annual logo use fee (extern): 350–750 EUR depending on turnover with certified products

Benefits for International Printing Companies

  • Recognized sustainability label accepted across the EU and beyond
  • Demonstrates environmental leadership and transparency
  • Opens opportunities in public tenders and green procurement
  • Strengthens partnerships with European clients demanding eco-certified production
  • Supports internal improvements in waste, solvent, and energy management

How Reprointelligence Can Help

As an officially trained Blauer Engel consultant, Reprointelligence supports companies outside of Germany in:

  • Assessing product eligibility and certification readiness
  • Preparing technical documentation and applications
  • Communicating with RAL and UBA during the review process
  • Optimizing print production for long-term environmental compliance

Blauer Engel Benefit Overview

  • Recognized Environmental Credibility – Germany’s official eco-label trusted across Europe for over 40 years.
  • Market Access & Export Advantage – Meets sustainability expectations of European clients and public procurement bodies.
  • Competitive Differentiation – Demonstrates proven ecological responsibility and advanced production standards.
  • Customer Trust & Brand Image – Strengthens reputation with environmentally conscious buyers and partners.
  • Efficient Use of Resources – Encourages reduced energy, paper, and chemical consumption throughout production.
  • Regulatory Compliance Support – Aligns your processes with EU environmental and chemical safety standards.
  • Improved Workplace Safety – Minimizes use of hazardous materials, solvents, and emissions in production.
  • Support for Circular Economy – Ensures recyclability, deinkability, and the responsible use of recycled paper.
  • Documentation & Process Transparency – Establishes measurable sustainability metrics (VOC, waste, energy).
  • Long-Term Operational Benefits – Reduces environmental impact, improves efficiency, and enhances tender eligibility.
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