Since January 1, 2023, an order relating to the restriction of substances contained in mineral oils used in printing inks applies.
After a maximum of 12 months, unsolicited advertising flyers and commercial catalogs containing a certain amount of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) or mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) are banned. In addition to companies in France, this ban also applies to European printers who place printed products on the French market.
And as of January 1, 2025, this legislation will be extended to all printing intended for the public.
The European graphic industry association Intergraf considers the economic impact of this legislation to be particularly worrying. "This law creates a lot of uncertainty" says Laetitia Reynaud, policy advisor at Intergraf.
Depending on the interpretation of the text, some printing processes may no longer be able to operate or supply the French market. "Gravure printers in particular are alarmed, as there is no official clarification on whether this printing process is covered or not."
"The French government must provide appropriate guidance on the proper implementation of the ordinance" says Beatrice Klose, Intergraf's General Secretary. "Printers must be able to continue to operate legally when supplying their French customers and placing printed products on the French market."
In letters sent to the Ministers of Environment, Industry and Culture, the association denounces, in addition to the lack of clarity on the processes involved in the restriction, overly ambitious thresholds and the lack of a procedure to prove compliance.
Intergraf also calls on the French government to consider the technical and economic viability of alternative printing inks. In its letters to the government, Intergraf also recommended a rapid reassessment of the impact of the current measures on the printing industry.
"We regret France's unilateral approach to this issue. A European approach would better guarantee the proper functioning of the European single market.
