The Recycler Issue 301

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EUROPE HP Inc, ETIRA, Lobbying
HP Inc’s misleading leaflet – ETIRA responds
HP eventually agreed to change its wording, after its criticism of remanufactured cartridges prompted complaint.
A new leaflet released by HP Inc. in September
provoked a strong backlash from both
the European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers
Association (ETIRA), and the
United Kingdom Cartridge Remanu-facturers
Association (UKCRA).
The pamphlet, entitled ‘The truth about
clone cartridges’, warned its readers about the
dangers of clones, describing them as “the
newest dubious alternatives” that “present an
even greater threat to your business.” Later in
the pamphlet, it compared HP’s own OEM
toner cartridges with clones, counterfeits, and
remanufactured/refilled cartridges. The leaflet
went on to specifically state that “used HP
toner cartridges that are emptied, refilled and
resold by other manufacturers” fail to “adhere
to quality, safety, or environmental standards.”
Such claims predictably drew a rapid
backlash from ETIRA, which disputed not
only the inaccuracies regarding remanufactured
cartridges, but also HP’s decision
to categorise remanufactured cartridges
alongside clones and counterfeits, calling it a
“baseless generalisation.”
“General marketing speak is OK, but you
cannot say things that are not true,” ETIRA
stated. “ETIRA regrets that HP’s new product
marketing material is again lowering the bar.
[The pamphlet] may be generally correct on
clones and counterfeits, but speaks nonsense
on remanufactured cartridges.”
ETIRA particularly focussed on HP’s claims
that remanufactured cartridges fail to follow
quality, safety and environmental standards,
declaring that HP “gets it wrong on all
three counts.”
“On quality, because since the 1990’s, 3rd
party cartridge remanufacturers have held a
20-30 percent market share in toners and 15-20
percent in inkjets and is now a 2bn euro
industry in Europe. So remanufacturers must
be doing something right in terms of quality.
And like the OEM’s, remanufacturers comply
with the ISO cartridge yield standards.
On safety and quality, because most
remanufacturers produce according to DIN,
27.–30.1.2018, Frankfurt am Main
paperworld.messefrankfurt.com
Nordic Ecolabel, STMC, ISO 9003, and other
international safety and quality standards.
On environment, because we adhere to ISO
14001, and it is only thanks to 3rd party
remanufacturers that 20-30% of used
cartridges are not being landfilled after 1st use,
but get a 2nd and subsequent life, reducing
their environmental footprint while offering
customer choice. No printer manufacturer
matches that environmental performance.”
ETIRA wasn’t the only group to offer a
damning dismantling of HP’s pamphlet, with
its British counterpart, UKCRA, also releasing
an unimpressed response. UKCRA’s Laura
Heywood pointed out to HP that
remanufacturing “isn’t a new concept. From
auto parts and car engines to disposable
cameras, cellphones, printers and even
supermarket shelves; it has been lucrative for
those with the diligence and determination to
produce a quality product.”
Heywood continued: “In any Industry there
are those that compromise or take shortcuts.
It isn’t long before they disappear - but
for manufacturers to encompass all remanufacturers
as producing a below quality
product is disingenuous and misleading and
compromises not only their integrity but also
their trust with the consumer.
“Take a supermarket shelf- by adding extra
bars to used shelving making it stronger, it will
last 20 years rather than the five year average
when they are usually replaced due to sagging.
“In the case of a toner cartridge it’s
simply the toner that is depleted. By
replacing this and one or more worn
components, it is given a ‘new’ life and
can, and has performed the same as an
original new cartridge.”
Heywood also pointed out an
independent comparison study, testing
several remanufactured cartridges against an
OEM toner cartridge; she noted that it was
documented in this study “that one
remanufactured cartridge came out the “best
of these tests” [...] with a yield higher than the
OEM standard. It was so perfect that the OEM
visited the lab to view the remanufactured
cartridge to ensure it contained aftermarket
toner, drum and other parts.
Doesn’t this demonstrate that re-using the
original core (used cartridge) and replacing
any worn components, it will perform to a
high standard? The engineering has already
been carried out – it’s included in the cartridge
design. Quoting from the WEEE Directive- “a
product must be designed to be reused”.
Being so well made it is important that it does
not enter the recycling or waste stream but is
remanufactured. Besides all the environmental
advantages of a lower carbon footprint, it’s the
more sustainable option by far.”
UKCRA also declared its support for ETIRA’s
earlier response, after ETIRA announced it
would appeal to HP to change the leaflet’s
wording, on the ground of false advertising, an
appeal that was ultimately successful: In
October, the OEM reissued the pamphlet with
a very slight change in the wording, now
claiming that remanufactured cartridges
“don’t always adhere to quality, safety or
environmental standards” (our italics).
In response to the update, ETIRA said that
they welcomed the change, but called on HP
“to in future, refrain from making statements
that are not supported by the facts. Since many
years, the benefits of buying remanufactured
OEM cartridges are clear: a top-quality,
environmental-friendly, and less expensive
alternative product.”
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10 THE RECYCLER • ISSUE 301 • DECEMBER 2017