This section contains resources to help printers and publishers comply with government regulations. These regulations apply to manufacturers, distributors and publishers of print products and those whose business is focused on printing operations, such as newspapers, books, periodicals, greeting cards, bookbindings, platemaking and other materials.

Consumer and Occupational Health and Safety

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is responsible for overseeing consumer product safety issues.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for developing, implementing and enforcing safety and health standards and regulations for hazards, including machinery operations.

Review the resources provided below to gain a solid knowledge of this industry's requirements.

• Testing and Certification of Lead Content in Children’s Products
  Covers a statement of policy issued by the Commission to provide guidance on the testing and certification of children’s products for compliance with the lead content limits.

• OSHA Assistance for the Printing Industry
  Provides information and assistance to help printing businesses comply with OSHA and industry standards, and ensure safe workplaces.

• OSHA eTool: Ergonomics in Printing Industry
  Offers an e-Tool that focuses on the printing industry, and provides assistance in helping reducing musculoskeletal disorders from workplace activities which force them to work outside their physical capacities. Also provides a guide to making ergonomic improvements that improve employee health and safety.

Environmental Regulations

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develops, implements, and enforces regulations on pollution, waste management, and toxic chemical use and disposition as they apply to the printing industry.  In addition to the federal standards set by the EPA, state and local governments may apply stricter requirements. Check with your state government office for the regulations in your area.

• Printing Industry : Environmental Compliance Assistance Guide
  Supplies a guide to environmental rules and regulations affecting the printing industry.

• Environmental Regulations for the Printing Industry
  Provides an overview of federal laws that apply to the commercial printing industry, such as the Clean Air Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Comprehensive Environmental Response; and of the specific chemicals used in the industry.

• Printing Sector Program (EPA)
  Links to Web sites containing regulatory and reinvention information about the printing industry, including lithographic printing, gravure printing, flexographic printing, and screen printing.

Additional Resources

The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the interstate travel of hazardous materials, including some chemicals commonly used by printing or publishing businesses.  For more on this topic, please visit the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.