Compliance

A Commitment To Our Partners

As the ever evolving landscape of North American regulatory legislation continues to change, Kanzaki is committed to ensuring we offer products that are not only compliant with the latest chemical safety standards, but also designed and engineered responsibly, with the intent of improving the overall sustainability of our organization.

Impacts Of Impending Legislation

As new legislation is introduced, converters and laminators must rely on their suppliers ability to stay informed and knowledgeable about the implications of new regulations in various US states. Kanzaki has a team of experts and technicians dedicated to understanding the latest standards and engineering solutions for our partners.

Below are some upcoming regulations that we expect to have direct implications on the direct thermal industry.

CA. BPS, Prop. 65

BPS, a common chemical in direct thermal paper coatings, has been designated as hazardous. Any products being sold into CA containing BPS may require hazard labeling.

STARTING DEC. 29, 2024

Learn More...

WA. Bisphenol Ban

Products containing Bisphenols (a common chemical compound found in most direct thermal products) above 200 ppm will not be eligible for sale in the state of WA.

STARTING JAN. 1, 2026

Learn More...

Your Solution To DT Compliance Concerns

Kanzaki is proud to introduce our Enviro-Compliance Initiative, a growing portfolio of products designed with safer chemistry and increased sustainability to remain compliant for sale in all 50 states. When you see the Enviro-Compliance DT label on one of our product info sheets, it indicates:

Utilizes Patent Pending Non-Bisphenol Direct Thermal Chemistry.
Engineered with Compliance In Mind.
Designed for Reduced Waste & Increased Sustainability.

This is an on-going initiative with a strategic timeline of products slated to launch between 2026-2027. Sign up below to receive email updates about new products and other helpful information related to regulatory legislation and compliance in the Direct Thermal Industry.

Understanding Our Terminology

As regulations are implemented and the market reacts, new terminology is continually introduced to facilitate the conversations and marketing of product developments taking place in response to new regulations. One example of this is the term "Phenol Free" emerging in the direct thermal market in recent years. This has been in response to expanding regulations limiting the use of Bisphenols, like (BPA, BPS amongst others).

Below we explain why Kanzaki is choosing to use the term "No-Phenols-Added" in place of "Phenol-Free".

"No-Phenols-Added"

“No-Phenols-Added" is synonymous with “phenol-free" as used by other DT suppliers.

Indicates that no phenols were intentionally added during the manufacturing process. This is a more accurate and defensible statement.

Using this term could potentially decrease liability exposure, compared to stating “phenol free.”

ACCURATE TERMINOLOGY

"Phenol-Free"

Use of “Phenol-Free” is common industry jargon in the thermal paper industry, but is chemically inaccurate in describing the current state of affairs.

Thermal paper manufacturing involves many chemicals and upstream raw materials which could contain detectable levels of Phenolic compounds that are not hazards or restricted by regulations.

The WA state bisphenol ban prohibits only bisphenols that are "intentionally added", acknowledging the impossibility behind the idea of eliminating all phenols as a contaminant completely.

MISLEADING, INNACURATE

IMPORTANT NOTE: Kanzaki has a dedicated Environmental Department that diligently screens every supplier and every raw material that we include in the production of our products. We are required by California State Law to disclose any use of chemicals listed under California Prop. 65 in our products.

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WA Bisphenol-Ban FAQ

1. What is the bisphenol ban in Washington State?

Washington State passed legislation that bans the use of bisphenols, including Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS), in certain consumer products, including thermal paper. This regulation is part of Washington's broader effort to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer goods. The ban applies to thermal paper used in receipts, labels, and other similar products to limit exposure to bisphenols, which have been linked to reproductive harm and other health issues. The full text of the law can be found at the Washington State Legislature website.

2. What bisphenols are covered under the ban?

The Washington State ban specifically covers Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS), both of which are commonly used as developers in thermal paper. The regulation may also apply to other bisphenols if they are used as replacements for BPA or BPS.

3. How does the bisphenol ban affect paper converters and laminators?

If your company manufactures or converts direct thermal paper labels or other products for sale in Washington, you will no longer be able to use thermal paper that contains BPA or BPS. This means:

You must phase out bisphenol-containing materials.

Switch to alternative developers that comply with the ban.

Ensure that your supply chain is free of these bisphenols.

4. What steps should paper converters and laminators take to comply with this ban?

Review your thermal paper formulations: Determine whether your thermal paper contains BPA or BPS.

Find alternatives: Identify and test BPS-free thermal papers that use safer chemicals for developing images on direct thermal paper.

Engage suppliers: Work with your thermal paper suppliers to ensure compliance with Washington State regulations.

Plan product transition: Begin phasing out bisphenol-containing products from your supply chain to meet the state’s deadlines.

5. Are there deadlines for phasing out bisphenols in Washington?

Yes, the legislation has set specific deadlines for when the sale or distribution of bisphenol-containing thermal paper must cease. The key date is January 1, 2026, by which time all thermal paper products sold or distributed in Washington must be free of BPA, BPS, or other restricted bisphenols.

6. What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Businesses that fail to comply with Washington's bisphenol ban may face:

Fines: Penalties for violating the law can be substantial, though exact amounts may depend on the severity and duration of the violation.

Market restrictions: Non-compliant products may be banned from sale in Washington State.

Reputational damage: Failure to meet regulatory standards can damage a company’s reputation, especially with environmentally conscious customers.

7. Are there alternatives to BPA and BPS in thermal paper?

Yes, several alternatives to BPA and BPS have been developed for thermal paper. Some of these include:

Phenol-free developers: New, safer chemicals have been introduced as replacements for bisphenols. These alternatives reduce toxic exposure and comply with Washington’s regulations.

Vitamin C-based developers: Some thermal paper manufacturers have explored vitamin C-based chemical formulations, which are considered safer and environmentally friendly.

It is recommended to work with your thermal paper suppliers to ensure that the alternative materials meet both performance and regulatory standards.

8. Do these bans only affect Washington, or could they spread to other states?

Although the current ban is specific to Washington, other states have been considering similar legislation as part of the broader movement to regulate chemicals of concern in consumer products. States such as California, Maine, and New York have also been scrutinizing the use of bisphenols in various products, so it is possible that similar restrictions could be adopted elsewhere.

9. Where can I get more information on the Washington State Bisphenol Ban?

Washington State Department of Ecology: This is the primary agency responsible for regulating chemicals under the bisphenol ban. Their website provides updates, guidance, and resources for businesses. Visit here.

Legal and Compliance Advisors: Consulting with legal professionals who specialize in environmental and chemical regulations can help ensure your company’s compliance with Washington’s ban.

Industry Groups: Organizations like the Paper and Packaging Board or the Specialty Paper Industry provide insights on how other companies are adapting to the bisphenol ban.

10. What future developments should I be aware of?

Regulatory trends toward reducing harmful chemicals in consumer products are growing both in the U.S. and globally. Washington’s bisphenol ban could be a precursor to similar regulations in other states or at the federal level. Additionally, the state’s program to reduce harmful chemicals is continually updated, so businesses should monitor potential new additions to the list of restricted chemicals.

Additional Resources:

Washington State Legislature: The official website of Washington's laws and regulations can be found at https://apps.leg.wa.gov/. You can search for specific laws, like the bisphenol ban, directly on this site.

Washington State Department of Ecology: The Department of Ecology’s website provides detailed information on reducing toxic chemicals in products, including the bisphenol ban and safer alternatives. You can visit their main page here: https://ecology.wa.gov/, and search for relevant programs like "Safer Products for Washington" and bisphenol regulations.