Massachusetts Air Pollution Control Regulations

Massachusetts has a unique environmental performance initiative used by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MADEP). The state uses its Environmental Results Program to measure environmental performance. The state's air program is based on the amount of product purchased. Facility VOC Emissions Status:

• Very Small Printer: uses a total of no more than 55 gallons of cleanup solution and inks/coatings/adhesive with a VOC content greater than 10% by weight as applied per rolling 12-month period
• Small Printer: Purchased or used less than 275 gallons of cleanup solution, ink, adhesive and/or coating per rolling 12-month period
• Midsize Printer: Purchased or used between 275 and 3,000 gallons of cleanup solution, ink, adhesive and/or coating per rolling 12-month period.
• Large Printer: Purchased or use more than 3,000 gallons of cleanup solution, ink, adhesive and/or coating per rolling 12-month period.

When determining your emissions status, do not count the following incidental materials: plastisol inks, UV inks, water based inks, coatings and adhesives that have less than or equal to 10% by weight of VOC content as applied, and any materials that do not meet the performance standards listed below and not more than 55 gallons in total quantity is used per rolling twelve month period. All printers, regardless of emissions status, must use screen cleanup solution with a vapor pressure of less than or equal to 5 mm of HG. The following indicates the performance standards for all emissions status levels.

Performance Standards for Midsize and Large Printers
Type of Product VOC content, as applied, less water Printing Ink: 400 grams per liter (3.3 lbs. per gallon) Metallic Inks: 400 grams per liter (3.3 lbs. per gallon) Conductive Inks: 850 grams per liter (7.1 lbs. per gallon) Extreme Performance Inks/Coatings: 800 grams per liter (6.8 lbs. per gallon) Adhesives for post press use: 400 grams per liter (3.3. lbs. per gallon) Each printer shall maintain records sufficient to demonstrate compliance. Such records shall be kept on-site for at least five years and shall be made available to representatives of the Department upon request. Each printer has its own set of standards for record keeping found at: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/06/05/310cmr7.pdf.