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© Intergraf 2020Avenue Louise 130A1050 Brussels (BE)T: +32 (0) 2 230 86 46E: office@intergraf.eu

Professionals from across the European commercial print sector will gather in Brussels

on 20 February for the fifth edition of Intergraf’s Shaping the Future of Print event, supported by Smithers and NOPA. Participants have signed up from all over Europe - don’t miss your chance to meet them.Commercial Print 2020’s expert speakers have all been announced and they include printers, customers, academics and a representative from the European Commission’s DG Environment, who will present on sustainability in a circular economy. There will also be a panel discussion between national association representatives from the Netherlands, Germany, the UK and France about the ‘hot topic’ of door drops. Door drops have long been an effective instrument in the toolkits of retailers and advertisers, providing important business for many printers. Legal developments

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR COMMERCIAL PRINT EVENT

in certain countries, however, may change the nature of door drops and in the process impact printing companies producing advertising mail. Register to hear more.Event delegates are also invited to attend our social programme, which includes a welcome cocktail (plus Intergraf 90th Anniversary celebration), conference dinner and visit to the European Parliament. In addition, participants will receive exclusive market data prepared by Smithers about the commercial print market in Europe presented in a post-event report that will also include information about presentations given at the event. This report will be offered to participants after the event free of charge.Visit our event webpage to view the full list of speakers and topics, as well as to register. You can also download your registration form here. See you at the event!

The fifth edition of Intergraf’s Shaping the Future of Print event is fast approaching. Secure your place now to network with your industry peers and hear all about the latest trends and developments in the commercial print market.

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Crowne Plaza (Le Palace), Brussels20 February 2020

CONFERENCE 2020

CommercialPrint

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1930-2020: INTERGRAF TURNS 90

At the occasion of the Commercial Print Conference in February, Intergraf will commemorate its 90th year with a drinks reception. This is a very special occasion for us and we hope you will join us in celebration!

Intergraf was founded in 1930, making 2020 an extra special year for us because we celebrate

our 90th anniversary.The printing industry has experienced a lot over the past 90 years. Most notably, of course, the digital revolution which has transformed our methods and products. Intergraf has also evolved to better support the sector as your umbrella association, including moving from Berlin to London (1946) and London to Brussels (1984).

Intergraf has operated under 4 Secretary Generals and existed under 4 different names and logos. It has organised 30 Security Printing conferences, as well as overseeing an unquantifiable collection of other events and activities - large and small - all in support of the industry we love.We hope you will join us in celebration of this very special occasion at the Grand Plaza Le Palace in Brussels on 19 February at 19:30. Please let us know if you will attend.

EU SEEKS MINIMUM WAGE INITIATIVEAs one of its ‘100 days in office’ initiatives, the European Commission has announced its intention to propose a legal instrument on the topic of EU minimum wage, a subject that has until now been untouched at European level.

Wage setting is a national competence, so the EU cannot impose binding

regulations on the matter. At national level, one can find many different approaches and solutions across Europe. At European level there is currently neither guidelines on wage setting, except in the national-level European Semester process, nor a blueprint demonstrating which solutions generate desirable outcomes. Presumably, any initiative would address these gaps, but we do not yet

know what will be proposed.This initiative is currently in its very early stages, with a First stage Social Partner consultation launched on 15 January (deadline 25 February). Generally, Intergraf supports BusinessEurope’s cross-sectoral advocacy on horizontal social affairs dossiers like this, but as minimum wage is set at sectoral level in certain countries (mainly Scandinavia), members will be consulted to determine next steps. Contact Alison Grace at Intergraf for information.

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SKILLS PROJECT TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARYOn 18 February, Intergraf will embark on an 18 month EU-funded project about skills and recruitment in the European printing industry. The project’s main outcomes will include an online toolbox to aid with recruitment.

A new skills project will soon begin, funded via the EU Commission’s Social

Dialogue programme. Intergraf will coordinate this project alongside UNI Europa Graphical.In order to help address difficulties in recruiting newcomers to the sector, the project will diagnose problems and solutions for recruiting young workers, unite relevant stakeholders, and pilot employment and recruitment activities in 4 countries: Germany, the Netherlands, Estonia and

Portugal. Project outcomes will include exchanges of experience, guidelines (translated into 8 languages), 4x young workers days, a website, promotional videos, 36x interviews with young printers, social media presence, a promotional brochure and events, such as a high-level workshop and final conference.The project kick-off meeting will take place on 18 February 2020, after which more information will be shared. Contact Alison Grace for more information.

ARE MINERAL OIL-FREE INKS AVAILABLE?France has recently adopted new legislation on the circular economy which, among other measures, will ban the use of mineral oils in packaging printing from 2022, and in any printed products from 2025.

For packaging, mineral oil-free inks are available for the printing processes involved

(digital printing, flexographic printing, and sheetfed offset printing). When it comes to publication printing in heatset and coldset, however, inks are formulated with mineral oils. Although, as is highlighted by EUPIA, the ink manufacturers association, only refined mineral oils that are non-carcinogenic are used.Two publicly-funded projects in

Germany and France are currently testing mineral oil-free inks in coldset printing, but no concrete results are yet available. A recent note from EUPIA clarifies that, to date, no mineral oil-free ink for heatset and coldset printing is available on the European market, nor is it available globally. The note makes clear that even the US soy-based, or Japanese vegetable oil-based, inks are not 100% mineral oil-free.Contact Laetitia Reynaud for more information.

“No broadly applicable mineral oil-free heatset ink is currently available on the market. However, inks with a reduced content of aromatic hydrocarbons are available.”EUPIA, the European Printing Inks Association

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DOUBLE WIN FOR PUBLISHERS ON E-PUBLICATIONSThe Court of Justice of the EU has ruled that selling used e-books is illegal, in a win for publishers. A landmark ruling from UK courts has also paved the way for 0% VAT on certain online news subscriptions (currently 20%).

Since 2014, publishers have been locked in a legal battle with a website reselling

e-books, Tom Kabinet. Publishers claim that the website is a violation of copyright law. The latest ECJ ruling is a success for publishers, but a further ruling from the Court of Justice in the Hague is expected next year.In related news, News UK, the Rupert Murdoch-run owner of The Times newspaper, has successfully argued in front of a tribunal that The Times

online is effectively a print newspaper because the website is rarely updated. In the UK, print newspapers are subject to a VAT rate of 0%, while online publications are charged 20%. News UK could potentially save enormous sums of money in the future, as well as being allowed to reclaim previously paid VAT. HM Revenue and Customs is considering whether to take the case to the court of appeal.Contact Laetitia Reynaud for more information.

MUMBAI HOSTS 2020 WORLD PRINT FORUMIntergraf represented European printers at the latest meeting of the World Print & Communication Forum in Mumbai, hosted by the WPCF’s Indian member: the All India Federation of Master Printers.

Board meetings of the World Print and Communication Forum (WPCF) take place

annually, with each meeting hosted by a WPCF member. This year, the WPCF board meeting and supplementary conference was held in Mumbai, India.Secretary General of Intergraf, Beatrice Klose, attended this event for Intergraf, alongside other WPCF representatives from China, Japan, Korea, Nepal, South Africa, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Following a successful WPCF

meeting organised by Intergraf in London in 2019, this year’s meeting welcomed Nepal and South Africa as new members. One of the most surprising exchanges at the meeting concerned the lack of skilled staff for printing companies, which all WPCF members experience in their countries/regions.Following the board meeting, the 2020 Economic Report of the WPCF is being prepared. Contact Alison Grace for more information about this report.

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‘KEEP ME POSTED’ PROTECTS YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSEIn the latest Steering Group meeting of the Keep Me Posted EU campaign, the importance of the campaign was underscored and a 2020+ strategy was adopted to bolster political support following last year’s EU elections.

Supporters of the Keep Me Posted EU campaign met at Intergraf’s office last week

for a Steering Group meeting. The aim of this meeting was to give renewed impetus to the campaign following the 2019 European elections.The Keep Me Posted EU campaign is supported by civil society, trade unions and industry alike. This crucial Steering Group was attended by representatives from a cross-section of supporters, ensuring that KMPEU’s work

during the next legislative term remains of the highest relevance. In the meeting, an overview of the campaign was given and future strategy was discussed. Conclusions included underscoring the importance of the continuity of actions from the 2014-2019 political term and better information sharing between supporters about relevant policy files.For more information please contact Alison Grace, or visit the KMPEU website.

DIRECT MAIL INCITES 65% OF PEOPLE TO ACTIONIn the most extensive research project of its kind, the IPC (International Post Corporation) has just released their annual Cross-Border E-Commerce Shopper Survey, analysing data from 35,737 respondents in 41 countries.

The IPC’s annual Cross-Border E-Commerce Shopper Survey presents

research and global trends about e-commerce, focusing in detail on consumer preferences (including packaging and delivery), cross-border purchases, and direct marketing.Sustainability remains a key trend. 86% of those surveyed had ordered parcels up to 2kg in weight, with 47% strongly agreeing, and a further 43% agreeing, that they would

prefer recyclable packaging, with cardboard preferred over plastic. Likewise, consumers also strongly agreed that they would prefer the delivery of their parcels to be carbon-neutral, and would be willing to wait longer to receive a package to reduce its environmental impact.Respondents were also asked about direct marketing, with 65% of recipients of direct mail taking an action as a result - e.g. 36% visited the retailer’s website, and 28% made an online purchase.

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• Social Dialogue Skills Project Kick-Off Meeting, 18 February, Brussels

• Intergraf 90th Anniversary Reception, 19 February, Brussels (REGISTER)

• Shaping the Future of Print 2020: Commercial Print Event, 20 February, Brussels (REGISTER)

• Eco & Stats Working Group, Intergraf, Brussels

• Environment Working Group, Intergraf, Brussels

• Social Dialogue Plenary, 30 March, Brussels (REGISTER)

EVENTS

PAPER RECYCLING AWARDS CELEBRATE BEST IN EUROPEIntergraf attended the 7th edition of the European Paper Recycling Awards at the European Parliament in January. These awards shine a light on the best European projects, initiatives or campaigns which impact paper recycling.

Europe is the global recycling champion, recycling 71.6% of paper used (most

recent statistics from 2018). To highlight notable initiatives in paper recycling, the European Paper Recycling Council (EPRC) organises the bi-annual European Paper Recycling Awards.The awards have two categories: “Innovative Technologies and R&D” and “Information & Education”. Respectively, the winners of this edition were German company Repulping

Technology GmbH & Co. KG, and the international association Pro Carton. Repulping Technology invented a new technology (the “cavitation pulper”) to make mixing papers and other material easier and more energy-efficient, allowing for an almost 100% recovery of fibres. Pro Carton set up a Europe-wide educational programme aimed at 8-11 year old children called TICCIT (Trees Into Cartons, Cartons Into Trees).Please refer to the EPRC’s press release and video for info.

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The Intergraf Newsflash is edited by Alison Grace.Contact Alison if you have news to share:

agrace@intergraf.eu | +32 (0) 2 230 86 46

NOTE FROM THE EDITORHello everyone – happy new year! I’m now back at Intergraf after maternity leave, catching up on the last 6 months and looking forward to the rest of 2020. The Secretariat is off to a quick start as we prepare for our Commercial Print Conference and Intergraf’s 90th anniversary celebration, as well as the kick-off of our Social Dialogue Skills Project, in February. There’s plenty more to come during the course of the year, and I look forward to sharing it with you. - Alison