Non-compliant printer cartridges are flooding the market, distorting competition and harming the environment. ETIRA is rallying the industry to fight back—will you join the call?
The European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA) has issued a call to action to address the growing issue of non-compliant printer cartridges flooding the European market. In a recent statement, ETIRA urges businesses and organizations across the imaging industry to co-sign a letter advocating for stricter enforcement and regulatory measures against these products.
The widespread availability of non-compliant cartridges—many of which fail to meet environmental, safety, and consumer protection standards—poses significant threats to legitimate businesses and undermines the sustainability goals of the European Union. ETIRA’s investigations revealed that 75% of new non-OEM cartridges failed basic compliance checks, with issues ranging from improper CE markings to lack of WEEE registration. Such products not only distort market competition but also contribute to increased electronic waste and potential public health risks.
A recent ETIRA report titled New Non-OEM Cartridges: A Threat to Compliance, Sustainability, and Public Health highlights the severity of the issue. The report details how many new-built cartridges falsely claim to be remanufactured, use misleading eco-labels, and contain hazardous substances that contravene REACH and RoHS regulations. These findings underscore the need for more rigorous market surveillance and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
ETIRA emphasizes that non-compliance affects the entire market, distorting fair competition, misleading consumers, and resulting in environmental harm. The association believes that industry-wide cooperation is essential to effectively tackle this issue and encourages the widest possible support. OEMs, resellers, remanufacturers, consumer groups, and other stakeholders all have a vested interest in ensuring a level playing field. The more voices join this initiative, the stronger the collective message will be.
Several key players in the industry have already signaled their willingness to support the initiative, and ETIRA encourages more businesses to add their names to the growing list of signatories.
Companies and organisations interested in co-signing the letter can find more details on ETIRA’s official website. The final letter will be presented to EU regulators and enforcement bodies as part of ongoing efforts to ensure a fair and sustainable market for printer consumables.
For more information and to co-sign the letter, visit: the ETIRA website
