# COMAR Title 26 — Department of the Environment

## Subtitle 11 — Air Quality

### Chapter 19 — Volatile Organic Compounds from Specific Processes

#### Regulation .10 Flexographic and Rotogravure Printing.

*COMAR 26.11.19.10*

A. Definitions. In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

  (1) “Flexography” means to use an elastomeric cylinder or an elastomeric surface of revolution with raised areas to transfer ink as a method of printing.

  (2) “Packaging rotogravure” means to use a cylinder or other surface of revolution with contoured recesses on the surface to transfer ink as a method of printing on a substrate that subsequent operations turn into a container or into labels for objects.

  (3) “Publication rotogravure” means to use a cylinder or other surface of revolution with contoured recesses on the surface to transfer ink as a method of printing on a substrate that subsequent operations turn into books, magazines, newsletters, and similar products.

B. Applicability and Exemptions.

  (1) A person subject to this regulation who applies a clear protective coating over the printed matter shall include emissions from the clear coating when determining compliance with the requirements of this regulation.

  (2) The provisions of this regulation do not apply to printing on fabric, metal, plastic, or to flexible package printing subject to COMAR 26.11.19.10-1.

C. Requirements for Sheet-Fed or Web-Fed Flexographic, Packaging Rotogravure, and Publication Rotogravure Printing. A person who owns or operates a printing press that uses flexographic, packaging rotogravure, or publication rotogravure methods and is a major stationary source as defined in Regulation .01B(4) of this chapter, shall:

  (1) Reduce emissions by using water-based inks that contain less than 25 percent VOC by volume of the volatile portion of the ink, or high solids inks that contain not less than 60 percent by weight nonvolatiles; or

  (2) If compliance with the requirements of §C(1) of this regulation cannot be achieved, reduce the VOC content of each ink, or reduce the average VOC content of inks used at each press, as follows:

    (a) 60 percent reduction for flexographic presses;

    (b) 65 percent reduction for packaging rotogravure presses; and

    (c) 75 percent reduction for publication rotogravure presses.