June 5, 2008 – Trumbull, CT– Océ, an international leader in digital document management and delivery, announced today that the company has been recognized as an environmental leader in printing and document management through its selection as a Climate Action industry partner. Climate Action is an international organization communications platform that informs a worldwide network of businesses, United Nations, government and non-governmental organizations in promoting organizational and individual actions to limit human-induced climate change to ecologically sustainable levels. As a result of this selection, Océ N.V. will participate in a series of activities focused on protecting and preserving the environment. These include a "Climate Leaders' video interview with Rokus van Iperen, CEO of Océ N.V., which will be broadcast on www.climateactionprogramme.org and featured on www.oce.com on June 5th, 2008 in support of the United Nation's World Environment Day.
 
As the only company in the document production industry to earn this distinction, Océ has been selected as a Climate Action industry partner based on the company's exemplary record of environmentally sustainable products and business practices. These include the CarbonPositivePlus+ project, which provides access to eco-friendly initiatives and carbon offsetting credits for customers who purchase or lease Océ VarioPrint 6000 digital duplex cutsheet printers. Océ "green DNA" reaches back to the company's origins in 1870 when its founder, Lodewijk van der Grinten, began investigating the quality of drinking water in Venlo, The Netherlands and continued to develop and apply technology to improve people's quality of life.
 

Today, 130 years later, the Océ commitment to environmentally responsible product development and business practices is evident throughout the organization. For example, Océ VarioPrint 6000 digital duplex cutsheet printers use an estimated 45 percent less energy than conventional dual-pass systems.and are designed to minimize environmental impact at every stage of operation, from low emissions and energy savings to optimized asset recover at the end of the product lifecycle. Products like the Océ VarioPrint 6000 family, coupled with environmentally focused design such as that of the new, solvent-free Océ CrystalPoint technology underscore the company's world-leading "green" credentials and commitment to solutions that minimize environmental impact. Océ CrystalPoint technology, developed to deliver high-quality color and black & white output on plain and recycled paper has no emissions of ozone, odor, or fine powder.
 
Climate Action has acknowledged Océ for "doing the right thing" in terms of earth-friendly operations and for a five-point sustainability policy that guides the company's actions. The sustainability policy focuses on minimizing incorrect and unnecessary printing, minimizing energy consumption, maximizing reuse of materials and minimizing non-reusable waste, and minimizing emissions of ozone, dust and toner.
 
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) was established in 1973 by the United Nations General Assembly as a result of a recommendation from the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972. Its mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. As the "voice of the environment" for the United Nations system, UNEP plays a pivotal role in a broad range of activities related to understanding, mitigating, and adapting to climate change.
 
UNEP encourages decision-makers in government, local authorities and industry to develop and implement policies, strategies and practices that are cleaner and safer, while making efficient use of natural resources. The UNEP strategy is to influence informed decision-making through partnerships with other international organizations, governmental authorities, business and industry and non-governmental organizations. UNEP activities include research, capacity building and policy design to ensure that the objectives of environmental protection and equitable development are integrated into trade and other economic policies at national, regional and international levels.
 
"It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized by Climate Action in partnership with the United Nations Environmental Program and to be a part of the activities celebrating World Environment Day," said Océ North America Production Printing Systems President, Mal Baboyian. "Environmental sustainability is a key initiative for Océ. This acknowledgment confirms our commitment to bringing products to market that enable Océ and our customers to implement earth-friendly technologies and business practices that move us along the path to an energy-efficient, carbon-free business environment."
 
"We are delighted that Océ has joined the platform to highlight its activities and achievements in mitigating and adapting to climate change," said Climate Action Project Director, Sula Bruce. "It is essential that Industry leaders such as Océ promote the action steps they have taken to encourage other companies and to enable them to follow in their footsteps."
 
World Environment Day is commemorated each year on June 5th in a different city. It is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. World Environment Day 2008 will be hosted in New Zealand, one of the first countries to pledge a carbon-neutral future. The focus of the global 2008 celebrations will be on the solutions and the opportunities for countries, companies and communities to "Kick the habit" and de-carbonize their economies and lifestyles.
 
"Developed and developing countries stand to benefit environmentally, economically, and socially from more efficient, low-carbon technologies and strategies," said UN Under-Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner in a press release issued October 1, 2007 to publicize World Environment Day. "What we need is action to slow, stop and then to reverse the growth of global greenhouse gas emissions. A transition to a low-carbon economy is essential to achieving this," said Mr. Steiner.