ISO 21632:2018

Overview

ISO 21632:2018 - Graphic technology gives standardized directions for measuring and calculating the electrical energy consumption of digital production presses, with special emphasis on transitional and related modes (e.g., sleep, print-ready, surge and start/stop phases) that significantly affect total energy use. The standard covers any format of digital printing device that prints on paper or plastic and excludes presses designed for other substrates or conventional presses retrofitted with digital inkjet heads. It enables consistent energy efficiency metrics for different machine configurations (best-quality, highest-productivity or other combinations).

Key technical topics and requirements

• Mode definitions: Clear terminology for operational modes such as sleep, print-ready and production print mode to ensure repeatable measurements.
• Measurement procedures: Specified test flows and conditions for power measurement, including use of high-precision power meters and reference to connection and safety requirements.
• Peripheral inclusion: Guidance on accounting for peripheral devices (IR/UV dryers, finishing units) that influence comprehensive energy consumption.
• Calculation methods: Prescribed formulae and rounding rules to compute average power, average productivity and nominal energy efficiency during continuous production printing.
• Comprehensive consumption modelling: How to calculate daily energy consumption based on a typical job structure and to derive effective energy efficiency for practical operations.
• Documentation: Requirements for measurement reporting (data sheets and annex templates) so results are verifiable and comparable.
• Scope limits: Excludes non-paper/plastic substrates and conventional presses fitted with digital heads.

Practical applications

• Benchmarking digital printing devices for energy efficiency and comparing machine combinations (speed vs quality).
• Feeding validated energy data into Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and carbon footprint calculations for printed products.
• Informing procurement, investment planning and operational cost estimates for printers and print service providers.
• Supporting environmental claims, energy subsidy applications and corporate sustainability reporting.
• Enabling OEMs and test labs to develop repeatable power-testing protocols for product development and certification.

Who should use this standard

• Print manufacturers and OEM test teams
• Commercial printers and production managers
• Energy auditors, LCA practitioners and sustainability officers
• Procurement specialists and facility managers
• Certification bodies and test laboratories

Related standards

• ISO 20690:2018 (energy efficiency terminology and metrics)
• IEC 60204-1 (machine electrical safety requirements)
• ISO 12643-2 (digital printing terminology/source references)

Keywords: ISO 21632:2018, energy consumption, digital printing devices, digital production press, energy efficiency, power measurement, production print mode, carbon footprint, LCA.