Spicershas welcomed the evolution of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency’s NCOS consumer logos, with the new user-friendly symbols representing a more accurate fit for print and design.
Previous restrictions to the use of National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) consumer logos had meant that customers and consumers of certified paper who wished to show their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, were required to apply a minimum 25mm high logo on their printed material. Whilst this was successful for brochures and printed matter at a certain size, for size limited productions like corporate stationery and statements, it meant difficulties.
According to NCOS, administered by the Low Carbon Trust, the standard serves two primary functions – it provides guidance on what is a genuine voluntary offset and sets minimum requirements for calculating, auditing and offsetting the carbon footprint of an organisation or product to achieve ‘carbon neutrality’.
For paper, only Australian made products carry the NCOS certification, the likes of which include ENVI, Revive and Saxton from Spicers.
“This is great news for our clients,” says Edward Stephenson, marketing manager Spicers. “The NCOS logo is a mark print purchasers want to use because of its government backing however, right from the start we knew the size restrictions would cause issues. To have the logo available in a set of user-friendly sizes means far more consumers can take advantage of the certification.”
Use of the logo is totally free. All that is required is that Australian made NCOS
certified paper is used to produce the printed piece. “Accessing, using and gaining approval for use of the logo is simple and quick,” adds Stephenson.
Applications to use the NCOS logos can be made to carbonneutral@spicers.com.au. Full logo style guides can be found at www.spicers.com.au or by emailing the above address.