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Sustainability drive targets printers and consumables

November 19, 2024

New EPEAT criteria tackle waste, air quality, and cartridge use.

The latest EPEAT-IECC-2024 standards, unveiled by the Global Electronics Council (GEC), are set to reshape the imaging equipment sector with enhanced sustainability requirements for printers and consumables. Published on 28 October 2024, the criteria aim to address material efficiency, emissions control, and product design, compelling manufacturers to meet stringent new benchmarks.

One of the most significant provisions mandates that printer manufacturers enable remanufactured cartridges, a move aimed at supporting circularity. Under these criteria, firmware updates must not disable third-party cartridge functionality, and manufacturers must offer remanufactured cartridge solutions. This development addresses long-standing concerns about OEM practices that limit consumer choice and sustainability. A senior consultant commented, “These criteria will force industry players to rethink their approaches to sustainability and competition, creating a win-win for users and the environment.”

Additionally, manufacturers are now obligated to implement take-back programs for cartridges and containers. These programs must prioritize material reuse and recycling and report collected and processed volumes publicly. Crucially, the framework prohibits landfilling or incinerating these consumables without energy recovery.

The report also highlights indoor air quality standards, requiring devices to adhere to strict emissions thresholds for total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs), benzene, and styrene, among others. Printers must meet emissions standards aligned with Germany’s Blue Angel ecolabel or ISO/IEC 28360-1:2021. This initiative reflects a commitment to addressing health and safety concerns associated with printing equipment, particularly in office environments.

The criteria also emphasize resource efficiency, mandating features like automatic duplexing and N-up printing to reduce paper consumption. These features aim to cut resource usage while delivering cost savings to businesses and end-users by facilitating double-sided printing and multiple-page layouts on single sheets.

Despite widespread praise from environmental advocates, the stringent requirements may present challenges for smaller manufacturers and remanufacturers. Increased costs and technological adjustments are expected. Industry insiders suggest that compliance with the criteria could strain resources, particularly for companies less equipped to adapt.

The broader implications of the EPEAT initiative are expected to resonate across global markets. The alignment of these criteria with the European Union’s circular economy goals suggests potential integration into public procurement standards, a move likely to pressure non-compliant manufacturers to align with sustainable practices. One analyst observed, “These criteria elevate the industry benchmark for sustainability,” underscoring the far-reaching impact of the initiative.

Our take on this: With consumables accounting for a significant proportion of imaging equipment’s environmental footprint, the EPEAT-IECC-2024 standards are a critical step toward a more sustainable future. As the industry adapts to these new requirements, the focus will likely shift to balancing compliance costs with innovation. For manufacturers, the stakes are high, and the opportunity to lead in sustainability could define market positioning in the years ahead.

Categories : World Focus

Tags : Cartridges Circularity EPEAT Sustainability

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