Sustainable Green Printing (SGP) Partnership, a non-profit organization providing sustainability certification in the graphic communications industry, announces that the Washington, DC location of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) has attained SGP Certification. GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. GPO met SGP's Certification criteria, which is based on a continuous improvement process involving the agency's procedures, equipment, and production materials.

SGP Certification is important to GPO's Strategic Plan for FY 2013-2017, which identifies environmental stewardship as a priority. The plan specifies recycling, reducing energy consumption, reducing GPO's carbon footprint, and providing Federal customers with sustainable printing alternatives as continuing initiatives for the agency. SGP Certification builds upon other certifications the agency has received recently, including the IDEAlliance Master Printer certification and the certification of Graphic Arts Industry Color Viewing Standard ISO 3664:2009.

"GPO is committed to smart environmental practices and will continue moving forward with environmental initiatives," said Acting Public Printer Davita Vance-Cooks.  "I am proud that GPO received the SGP Certification and is being recognized for our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and provide customers with sustainable printing options."

"The addition of the US Government Printing Office to the community of SGP Certified printers confirms the Federal Government's commitment to increase their sustainability footprint," states Marci Kinter, chairperson, SGP.