Seiko Epson Corp. announced that on August 3 that its LQ-590K serial impact dot matrix (SIDM) printer had received energy conservation accreditation from the Chinese government.
Close cooperation between Epson (China) Co., Ltd., the company responsible for Epson sales in mainland China, and P.T. Indonesia Epson Industry, the company manufacturing the printer, aimed at achieving accreditation resulted in the LQ-590K becoming the first printer manufactured outside the Chinese mainland to receive such an award.
Driven by the need to solve growing energy shortages, the Chinese government has worked to stiffen the country's environmental regulations. At the end of last year, these efforts bore fruit with the official announcement of a manual and catalog for government procurement of energy efficient products based on the Law of the People's Republic of China on Conserving Energy and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Government Procurement. According to the manual, Chinese government departments purchasing products and equipment from 2005 must place priority on products with energy conservation accreditation. Starting with first level budget departments of central and provincial governments this program will be gradually rolled out through the entire country, with full implementation targeted for Jan. 1, 2007.
Epson took the lead by working towards compliance from the autumn of 2003. As a result, the LQ-300K+ SIDM printer was selected as the first printer in the industry to be accredited by the China Standard Certification Center. In November of the same year, Epson China was recognized with the China Energy Efficiency Certification Partner Award, and in August 2004 the company was awarded for contributing to energy efficiency. In April 2005, the Epson AcuLaser C1100 laser printer was selected from a number of products with the energy conservation mark by a Chinese computer publication as an "Energy Efficient and Healthy Product." With products in the inkjet, laser and serial dot impact matrix printer categories all receiving energy saving accreditation, Epson is unique among printer manufacturers doing business in China.*
Since first going on sale in 1980, Epson's SIDM printers have earned leading market share worldwide as a result of their high quality and highly reliable performance. In China, and since entering the Chinese market in 1985, its printers have enjoyed widespread use in government bodies, financial institutions, communications, transportation industries among many others. With the growing importance of the Chinese market, Epson takes great pains in design, manufacturing, sales and support to provide products and services that suit the needs of Chinese consumers, with the company and its products therefore earning a good reputation in the Chinese market.
Going forward, Epson will continue to work to achieve energy conservation accreditation for its products in China.
*According to Epson survey in August 2005.
