HP’s long-running use of firmware updates that block third-party ink and toner cartridges is drawing scrutiny again – this time under a new global sustainability standard that explicitly forbids the practice.
The International Imaging Technology Council (Int’l ITC), a trade group for cartridge remanufacturers, says HP’s latest printer firmware rollout conflicts with the requirements of the General Electronics Council’s (GEC) updated Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT 2.0.
Switch to laser and that problem goes away.
Yes, but a good color laser printer is expensive and still not as good as an ink printer for photo printing. So, a laser printer is just a compromise.
I can print for free on a monochrome laser printer in my office. If I need high-quality photos, I order them online. Problem solved… bye, HP!