Re: German Presses and Fogra
The following link is o Fogra
http://www.fogra.org/washes/washes_info/i-washes.pdf
Below is a portion of the pdf
F or which printing machines can the
technical approval testing be carried
out?
At the present time this test is carried
out by Fogra on behalf of the following
machine manufacturers and washing
installation manufacturers:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
[sheet-fed offset ]
MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
[sheet-fed offset and weboffset]
Koenig & Bauer AG [sheet-fed offset
and weboffset]
Baldwin Germany GmbH
Baldwin Oxy-Dry GmbH
technotrans AG
W hat steps are necessary to arrange
for the testing of a washing
agent?
First of all the “Berufsgenossenschaft
Druck und Papierverarbeitung” requires
details of the composition in order to
assess risks to health. It goes without
saying, that this information is treated
as highly confidential. Fogra requires a
written order, the safety data sheet for
the product and a certain quantity of the
washing agent. The quantity depends on
the type of printing machine for which
the test is to be carried out. Furthermore,
it is advisable to contact the manufacturer
of the printing machine or the
washing system in question since some
manufacturers also require a practical
test to check the washing performance
of the washing agent.
What happens when the work has
been commissioned?
When the order has been received, Fogra
sends you a confirmation of the order
which contains all the information concerning
the time required for the test,
the person in charge and the price. The
time required for testing is, as a rule,
about 8 to 10 weeks. The test criteria
depend on the machine manufacturer’s
requirements and are specifically agreed
with the relevant manufacturer.
¬
¬
¬
¬
¬
¬
Although the machine manufacturers
co-operate in activities whose aim is
to reduce emissions, they are still competitors
with regard to the sale of new
machines. Therefore it has been agreed
between the machine manufacturers
and Fogra that, detailed information
with regard to specific test materials
must not be revealed to third parties by
Fogra.
When the tests have been completed,
Fogra sends all the results to the
machine manufacture concerned in the
form of a final report. On the basis of
the test results, the manufacturer then
decides whether or not the product can
be recommended for application to its
printing press or washing system. If the
test is successful, Fogra will be authorised
by the relevant machine manufacturer
to issue the approval certificate.
Fogra also helps with the marketing!
All products which have been tested and
approved are included in a list which is
continuously updated by Fogra. The
most up to date form of the list is given
on the Fogra home page.
Furthermore:
The testing carried out by Fogra is not
only established in Germany. At the
end of 2006 no less than 441 products
from 120 international manufacturers
were certified. As a result, these certified
products are now more and more
available worldwide since many manufacturers
also sell their washing agents
through foreign subsidiaries.
Everything has its price!
We have summarised the costs to suppliers
of washing agents in order to provide
a rapid overview of current prices
for the testing of washing agents.
If you are interested in having your
product tested for more than one press
manufacturer, we will be glad to submit
our quotation. Please do not hesitate to
direct your inquiry to us.
Members of Fogra generally receive a
30% discount on expert reports and
advice – it pays to be a member of
Fogra!
And if the product does not satisfy
the requirements?
If it becomes evident during a test that
the product does not satisfy a specified
condition or meet a specified limit,
then the manufacturer is immediately
informed in detail and testing is temporarily
halted. The manufacture is also
told which limit or condition has not
been met. This should enable the manufacturer
to modify the product to satisfy
the required conditions.
