How does the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) relate to shredders and shredding?

GDPR requires organisations to apply sound security practices to all electronic and paper-based personal data with respect to its collection, storage, access and disposal. Part of the requirement is to put plans in place for what should happen in the event of a breach. Whilst electronic data security has been prioritised by many organisations for many years, the security of paper based personal data is often neglected or overlooked. Statistics indicate that around 40% of data breaches may be paper based. A clear and firm document shredding policy is required supported by robust GDPR compliance process.

All potentially sensitive information of both a personal and business nature should be disposed of securely to avoid the risk of corporate fraud, identity fraud, industrial espionage and even international espionage – for example, if you are a contractor or supplier to the government, MOD, NATO, etc. Despite a great deal of publicity and adverse headlines, even now, many organisations and individuals still throw out confidential documents without thinking of the potential consequences should the files end up in the wrong hands. Since the Data Protection Act was passed in 1998, companies are obliged to protect hard copies of information on individuals or organisations that could put that person or organisation at risk should the information become public knowledge. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of 2018 further increased the responsibility of businesses and organisations to protect the personal data of UK and EU citizens.

Why Oil Your Shredder?

All Paper Shredders need shredder oil to continue to function properly. It is very common for paper dust to build up inside of the cutting assembly. After time, this sediment can become packed together like cement. Oil serves to soften this packed dust, which allows the movement of the cutting head. The proper movement of this head will push the dust out of the paper shredder. The finer the cut the paper shredder makes, the more oil it will need. Small particle cut shredders and high security specification machines require a lot of oil. Paper shredders, as with all electromechanical equipment, will not operate efficiently unless they are properly maintained. Periodic oiling is necessary to allow the shredder to operate at maximum efficiency. Frequency of oiling will vary greatly with the volume of use and the shred size. A shredder with a 5.8mm shred width used only 1 to 2 hours per week will only require a weekly oiling. A crosscut shredder, however, should be oiled every 1/2 hour of shredding time. The procedure for oiling a shredding machine is very simple and can be done by any operator. The oil is either packaged in a squeeze bottle or in pre-impregnated sheets. Always switch the machine off at the mains point before applying liquid oil. Oil from a squeeze bottle can be applied directly onto the cutting head in a fine stream. This is done through the paper entry throat. Take 1-2 seconds to oil from one side of the opening to the other. Run the machine in reverse for about 10-15 seconds to allow the oil to transfer to all parts of the cutting head. The final step is to shred a few sheets of paper to remove any excess oil. Alternatively, impregnated shredder oil sheets can be shredded like an ordinary sheet of paper to apply the oil. Some shredders come equipped with an oil reservoir and apply the oil to the cutters automatically as it is needed. This reservoir should be topped up as and when necessary from a squeeze bottle. Shredder oil is the only lubricant which should be used on your shredder. Shredder oil is of special formulation which leaves no residue on the cutters. Other oils will attract paper dust and in turn clog the cutting head.

Kobra AF+1-40 AUTO FEED High Speed 300 Sheet P4 Cross Cut Shredder, 99.935

Kobra SKU: 99935

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Kobra AF+1-40 AUTO FEED High Speed 300 Sheet P4 Cross Cut Shredder.

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Sheet Capacity - 300. Security Level - P-4. Bin size - 40L. Max. Run-time - Continuous duty. Automatically shreds up to 300 sheets of A4 80gsm printer paper. Delivery: up to 3 working weeks.

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£563.00 Excl. VAT

£675.60 Incl. VAT

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Kobra AF+1-40 300 Sheet Auto Feed P4 Cross Cut Shredder

The Kobra AF+1-40 is a high-speed auto-feed shredder designed for offices that need to process larger volumes of paperwork with minimal manual input. Simply load the tray and allow the machine to shred automatically, helping reduce time spent feeding documents.

With a 300 sheet auto-feed capacity and continuous duty motor, this model is suitable for regular office use where convenience and throughput are key considerations.

Want to learn more about auto-feed shredders? Discover the benefits, limitations & whether it's right for your application. Read Guide

Security Level P4 Cross-Cut Protection

Security level P4 cross cut shredding – ideal for general commercial, financial, HR, student and patient data, for example.

Cross cut particles (3.5 x 40mm) for everyday confidential document disposal
Suitable for routine office paperwork and internal documents
Balances security with faster shredding throughput

High-Speed Auto-Feed Shredding

Auto-feed capacity up to 300 sheets (80gsm)
High-speed shredding at up to 13 sheets per minute
Manual feed slot for up to 13 sheets
Separate manual slot for envelopes, glossy paper and non-standard documents

The auto-feed function is best suited to flat, clean 80gsm paper in good condition.

Important Auto-Feed Guidance

The auto-feed mechanism is designed primarily for plain 80gsm paper. Other materials — including envelopes, glossy paper, creased sheets or mixed media — should be processed via the manual feed slot.

Stapled sheets can be processed in limited quantities (up to 25 sheets, with small staples), provided they are inserted correctly.

Following these guidelines will help maintain smoother operation and reduce interruptions.

Performance & Operation

Continuous duty motor for extended shredding sessions
Automatic start/stop via electronic sensors
Auto stop/reverse/clear function in case of jams
Motor thermal protection
Oil-free mechanism – no maintenance oiling required

This model is best suited to regular office use where larger batches of paper need to be processed efficiently.

Build & Waste Handling

40L bin capacity
Steel cabinet construction
Mounted on castors for mobility
Automatic stop when bin is full
Electronic door safety switch

Energy Efficiency

ENERGY SMART® system switches to standby mode after 8 seconds
Helps reduce power consumption when not in use

Warranty & Delivery

2-year warranty
Back-to-base service policy (customer returns unit to UK service agent)
Delivery: approximately up to 3 working weeks

Efficient, high-speed shredding with minimal input. The Kobra AF+1-40 is a practical solution for offices looking to reduce manual shredding time, when used within its recommended operating conditions.

Product Sku	99935
Item barcode	8026064999359
Weight	24 kg
Machine warranty	2 years
Cutter warranty	10 years
Duty Cycle	Continuous
Shred Speed	N/A
Security Level	P-4
Auto Feed Sheet Capacity	300
Sheet Capacity 80gsm	13
Sheet Capacity 70gsm	14
Dimensions H x W x D	640 x 390 x 360mm
Waste Volume	40
Shred Size	3.5x40mm
Feed Width	240mm
Duty Cycle Approx	Continuous
Shred Speed	N/A
Brand	Kobra