HP: Imitation cartridges bad for business
January 19, 2022
An HP “Not for public posting or use” partner presentation sets out why “imitation cartridges are bad”.
The 2021 presentation is targeted at HP and partners for use with customers sets out why “imitation cartridges” are bad for business, the environment and printers.
The presentation notes that “You [customers] have a lot of choices when it comes to selling toner, but the cheapest may not be the best. Imitation cartridges are flooding the markets and have gained share in many countries through multiple routes-to-market. This is not a problem isolated to a few emerging markets—this is a global problem.”
The presentation then highlights that “imitation cartridges” are “Bad for your health” citing “third-party testing has shown that emissions from imitations exceed eco-label criteria set by Blue Angel, and they may have emissions that contribute to a poor indoor air quality where you live and work.”
Next up “imitation cartridges” are “Bad for environment” again citing “imitation cartridges may use more energy and have a larger carbon footprint, and with typically no recycling programmes offered by manufacturers, almost all imitation cartridges get thrown away.”
HP says “HP voluntarily designs and tests its printing systems to prevent emissions that exceed Blue Angel eco-label guidelines.” The presentation cites a “Nov 2019 WKI Blue Angel Indoor Air Quality study, commissioned by HP, in compliance with DE-UZ 205: 21 imitation toner cartridge brands compatible with HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdw.”
The presentation notes conclude by saying “imitation cartridges” are “Bad for your printer”, citing “technicians reporting cases of non-HP cartridges causing more service calls, cartridge failures, and printer damage; in addition, non-HP cartridges may contain chips that may contain untrusted firmware or malicious code.”
The presentation also says “Original HP cartridges returned through HP Planet Partners
are never sent to a landfill, and HP never refills or resells Original HP cartridges.” This was correct earlier last year. But in December The Recycler reported that HP had “launched HP EvoCycle Toner Cartridge in the French market.”
The cartridges are produced at the Canon Liffré recycling and production site in Brittany, France and contains “a total of 76% recycled and reused components with the same level of quality as standard HP cartridges”. The marketing describes it as an environment-friendly product and the most sustainable HP toner cartridge.” And are “made from “recycled components and reused parts from genuine HP cartridges.”
Editor: For as many reports as say that non-HP cartridges are bad, but OEM cartridges are good, there are counter reports saying that remanufactured cartridges are good for the environment and have a lower CO2 footprint. HP now produces (via Canon) the EvoCycle Toner Cartridge, so I guess they will need to revaluate their message?
And for the growing consumer audience looking for a genuine remanufactured cartridge, there is the ETIRA certification programme where OEM cartridges are successfully remanufactured and all empty cartridges that are not suitable for remanufacturing are fed into a proper and legitimate raw material recycling process in line with the EU waste hierarchy rules.
And talking of HP citing the Blue Angel DE-UZ 205 specifications when conducting emissions testing where HP has several printers with Blue Angel accreditation. Many aftermarket toners are tested by the LGA to ensure they meet the same exacting standards as HP. – “Just saying”
But in the end, it’s a marketing thing. The once dominant OEM finds itself in a mature market and focused on making huge profits for share buy backs and dividends. Meanwhile it appears to be slowly losing out to a) their competitors and b) the aftermarket.
Categories : World Focus
Tags : Business HP Imitation Cartridges Partners
