PIA/GATF to certify JDF-compliant products

The International Cooperation for the Integration of the Processes in Prepress, Press and Postpress (CIP4) organization and Printing Industries of America/Graphic Arts Technical Foundation (PIA/GATF) has announced the launch of itslong-awaited JDF (Job Definition Format) Product Certification Program. 

The JDF Product Certification Program provides testing of JDF-enabled software. Products that successfully complete testing will be issued a "JDF Certified" logo. This logo can be used on product packaging and promotional materials to convey to buyers that products have been certified to meet established guidelines for interoperability.

Companies interested in certification should register their product on the CIP4 website, and a member of PIA/GATF's staff will contact them to coordinate testing details. PIA/GATF will run, write, and read tests on registered products depending on if the tested product supports input and output of JDF.

‘The CIP4 staff is continually asked, “How do I know if a product really supports JDF?”’ said Dr Rainer Prosi of Heidelberg and CIP4. ‘For many printers JDF seems quite complicated, and they are looking for simplification. With JDF Product Certification, printers don't need to conduct exhaustive evaluations of JDF-enabled products; they'll know that these certified products will support JDF standards. Certification doesn't mean "plug-n-play." When two JDF-enabled devices are integrated, they still need to be set up appropriately, and certification means that the products are interoperable.’