Complaint Filed Over HP Firmware Lockout

Complaint Filed Over HP Firmware Lockout

The International Imaging Technology Council (Int’l ITC) has filed a complaint against HP, Inc. with the Green Electronics Council over HP’s new “killer chip” firmware.

The Int’l ITC is challenging their claims to meet criterion 4.9.2.1 for their printer products currently listed as “active” on the EPEAT Registry.  The Int’l ITC was joined in this action by the United Kingdom Cartridge Remanufacturing Association (UKCRA).

EPEAT stands for Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, and its registry lists products that meet its criterion, which currently includes the HP printers affected by the firmware.

The EPEAT criteria were developed by a group of stakeholders over a two-year period, including government officials, the OEMs, including HP, Inc., and members of the aftermarket including the Int’l ITC and UKCRA.   This team developed the IEEE 1680.2 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Imaging Equipment, as well as the following subsections, which direct that all EPEAT imaging equipment will:

“4.9.2.1  Allow use of non-manufacturer cartridges and non-manufacturer containers

“4.9.4.1  (Provide) Documentation that the cartridge or container is not designed to prevent its reuse and recycling.”

The Int’l ITC asserts that HP’s aggressive firmware, which locks out aftermarket cartridges, violates these provisions.  The Green Electrics Council is the body charged with overseeing the this “flagship program, including ensuring the integrity of the EPEAT system.”

“HP, Inc.’s outrageous new firmware shuts off printers when it detects a non-HP cartridge, which frustrates consumers and their cartridge suppliers alike,” said Tricia Judge (pictured), executive director of the Int’l ITC. “This is clearly contrary to the EPEAT criteria. They shouldn’t get to claim to adhere to a higher environmental standard.”

The International Imaging Technology Council represents the interests of members of the imaging supplies industry, including cartridge remanufacturers, their distributors and dealers.  Int’l ITC also represents vendors to the industry, office-machine retail and repair providers. As a 501 (c) (6) nonprofit trade association, Int’l ITC provides its members with advocacy, promotion and education.  It also administers the STMC cartridge quality certification program.

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For more information, see www.i-itc.org. For more information on EPEAT, see www.epeat.net.