A proofing inkjet printer equipped with the industry's first water-based white ink.

The Epson Stylus Pro WT7900 boasts the industry's first water-based white ink. Epson's newly developed white ink is made using special hollow resin particles. As all of the ink colors are water-based, they are low-odor, which also makes them suitable for office environments. In addition, these inks help save energy because, unlike their solvent-based or UV-curable counterparts, there is no need for heaters, lamps, or ventilation equipment. Epson inks enable a low environmental impact and efficient proofing process.

Mercury no longer used due to the use of LEDs as light sources in scanners and in LCD panels for inkjet multifunction printers

Epson has been replacing the conventional cold cathode tube light sources in scanners and LCD panels with light-emitting diode (LED) light sources. All of our current inkjet all-in-ones use mercury-free LED light sources, making easier to dispose of the products once they are no longer needed.

Measures for meeting the RoHS Directive

Epson has made compatibility with the European RoHS directive* a standard feature of our entire line of products throughout the world, regardless of whether a particular product is bound for the European market or not.

* The European RoHS Directive restricts the use of the following 6 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)

Actions for REACH compliance

Epson has been complying with the requirements of REACH (the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals), a European Community regulation that entered into force last year. Under REACH, companies that manufacture or import chemical substances must register them in a central database. If a product contains harmful substances (such as substances of very high concern), the company must disclose the substances, notify government authorities, and search for alternatives. Moving forward, we will continue to use our substance content framework to thoroughly and efficiently meet our legal and societal obligations, as well as the needs of our customers.

Preventing the commingling of harmful substances

To maintain product quality and avoid commingling of substances banned from inclusion in products, Epson maintains a database with chemical substance data collected from suppliers. We verify the systems in place within our own operations, as well as those employed by our suppliers.

The REACH legislation is indicative of the trend toward requiring the management, tracking and control of all materials, including chemicals and other substances, throughout their life cycles. Epson recognizes this trend and is staying positioned to respond.