HP’s New Push to End Third-Party Ink Blocking

A nonprofit trade organization is raising significant concerns about HP’s ongoing practice of using firmware updates to disable third-party ink cartridges in its printers. The International Imaging Technology Council (Int’l ITC), which represents remanufacturers and suppliers in the cartridge industry, argues this tactic directly violates new sustainability standards. Their complaint centers on the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) 2.0 registry, which explicitly prohibits manufacturers from issuing updates that “brick” the functionality of remanufactured cartridges. HP has defended this system, known as Dynamic Security, for years as a measure to protect print quality and system integrity. However, critics view it as a strategy to lock consumers into purchasing more expensive, brand-name supplies long after the initial printer sale.

The Int’l ITC’s position warrants attention, especially given the formal criteria of the EPEAT 2.0 program. Launched in late 2025 by the General Electronics Council (GEC), this updated registry aims to identify electronics that meet higher benchmarks for environmental responsibility and circular economy principles. Its criteria specifically address the sustainable use of resources, pushing for products designed with longer lifecycles and reduced waste. For imaging equipment like printers, a key requirement is that manufacturers must not prevent the use of remanufactured or third-party cartridges. The guidelines offer manufacturers a couple of paths to compliance, but both fundamentally ensure that aftermarket supplies remain functional.

One permissible option under EPEAT 2.0 dictates that a company must avoid releasing any firmware update that intentionally disables a remanufactured cartridge currently operating with the printer’s existing firmware. The second option requires manufacturers to provide an approved solution, using original electronic circuitry, that guarantees these cartridges work without interruption or loss of key features. The core of the council’s argument is that HP’s Dynamic Security model appears to conflict with these mandates, potentially jeopardizing the company’s ability to register its printers under this important sustainability label. While the Int’l ITC’s members have a clear commercial interest in promoting aftermarket supplies, the alignment of their complaint with independent environmental standards adds considerable weight to their claims.

Consumer advocates and independent repair technicians have echoed these frustrations for some time, arguing that such practices increase costs for users and contribute to electronic waste by rendering otherwise functional hardware dependent on a single supplier. The debate touches on broader issues of consumer rights and product longevity, questioning how much control a company should retain over a device after it has been purchased. As sustainability certifications like EPEAT gain prominence with institutional buyers and environmentally conscious consumers, pressure may mount on manufacturers to design products that support, rather than hinder, a more circular model for consumables like ink and toner.

(Source: Ars Technica)