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Product category: General Print Supplies, Services for Printers
News Release from: Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK | Subject: Bizhub 420 multi-function digital printer
Edited by the Printingtalk Editorial Team on 01 February 2007

Multi-Function Printer Wins
Environmental Award

Konica Minolta has become the first printer and multi-functional peripheral (MFP) manufacturer to receive the all-new Blue Angel certificate for environmental friendliness for its Bizhub 420.

Konica Minolta has become the first printer and multi-functional peripheral (MFP) manufacturer to receive the all-new Blue Angel certificate for environmental friendliness for its Bizhub 420 The globally-recognised certificate was recently redefined and is valid from January 1 to ensure that MFPs, copiers and printers are being measured equally in terms of low emissions and resources saving, said Konica Minolta

Under previous guidelines, Konica Minolta had more Blue Angel approved devices than any other printer or MFP manufacturer, said the company.

Now the Bizhub 420 is the first device to achieve current Blue Angel certification and Konica Minolta is expecting others of its devices to be given the same seal of approval.

Blue Angel monitors the environmental friendliness of products and services, with the aim of encouraging businesses to save resources and prevent pollutants from entering the environment.

Wolfram Buchroth, product safety and environmental manager for Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe, said: "We take environmental protection very seriously and make strong effort to ensure that the emissions coming from our business equipment are as low as they can be and the devices are consuming as little energy as possible.

It's great that our CSR efforts are being recognised and we hope that our customers feel confident that we are doing everything in our power to help them reduce their carbon footprints." Blue Angel tests devices against a number of criteria.

For instance, the devices shall be recyclable and meet the requirements of the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act and neither organic halogenated compounds, nor carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic substances shall be added to the plastics used in casings.

At the same time, plastic parts with a weight greater than 25 grams shall be definitely marked, whilst toner and ink modules must be reusable and returnable and the availability of consumer information on proper handling of toner modules must be established.

No hazardous substances can be added to ink and toner formulations and production-related impurities caused by heavy metals must be minimised.

Dyes that can release carcinogenic amines must not be used and devices must not exceed specified emission limits for volatile organic compounds, especially benzene and styrene, ozone and dust.

Further to that, devices must be capable of processing standard recycled paper without restriction and spare parts must be available for at least five years after the end of production.

The Blue Angel tests also specify that used devices and photoconductor drums must be taken back, that the power consumption of the devices after printing and copying shall not exceed a specified limit and that noise emissions are judged according to a sound versus power scale.

However, noise emissions of office equipment must not exceed 75dB(A) Finally, devices with a maximum operating speed of 21 pages or more per minute shall have or be able to be fitted with a duplex unit for two-sided printing. Request a free brochure from Konica Minolta Business Solutions UK ...

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