SGIA accepted an invitation to speak at the Inadvertently Produced PCBs in Inks and Pigments Workshop in Spokane, WA. The goal of the workshop was to explore actions to keep PCBs from entering the Spokane River from printed products produced using inks that contain inadvertent PCBs. No final approaches were identified, and work will continue on identifying options for reducing PCB discharges into the river.

In 2018, the Washington State legislature passed, and the Governor signed into law a program to address use of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging as of January 1, 2022, pending an alternatives assessment. The tentative scoping strategy limits the scope of the assessment to paper wraps and liners. The Department is also considering adding bags and sleeves to this scope.

Vermont has revised its Chemicals of High Concern in Children’s Products Rule to disclose information about these chemicals to the Health Department. The new amendments add 20 chemicals to the CHCC list, which now contains 86 CCHC. The new provisions became effective on August 15, 2019.

The US Department of Labor has issued a final rule establishing new overtime regulations. The rule states, that unless specifically exempted, employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must receive pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than one and one-half their regular rates of pay.

The province of Ontario is shifting the costs of its EPR program – from municipal taxpayers to producers of products and packaging collected through its Blue Box Program. It is expected that the program, administered by the province’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, will be more consistent.

In 2019, the Maine State Legislature passed a “Resolve to Support Maine Recycling Programs” which directed the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to develop legislation to establish an extended producer responsibility law for packaging sold in that state. SGIA submitted comments in September 2019 posing many clarifying questions aimed at the logistics of this legislation.

EFI Fiery FreeForm Create is a brand-new, stand-alone variable data printing application, delivering a fully visual interface with greatly enhanced capabilities.

The Solution Center will showcase the comprehensive portfolio of Epson printing solutions, including its direct-to-garment solutions.