ETIRA Calls for Industry-Wide Action to Tackle Non-Compliant Printer Cartridges

February 26, 2025

The European Toner & Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA) is calling on all responsible stakeholders across the European market—remanufacturers, OEMs, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, repair and recycling businesses, public sector buyers, and environmental organisations—to join us in demanding urgent action from the European Commission.

Every year, millions of non-compliant and illegal printer cartridges flood into the EU, bypassing essential environmental and safety regulations. These products undermine the circular economy, threaten consumer safety, and cripple legitimate businesses that invest in sustainability. Without a strong, coordinated response, Europe’s vision for a greener, fairer printing market will be lost to non-compliant imports and unsustainable practices.

The Crisis We Must Address

• Illegal and non-compliant cartridges dominate the market, evading Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules, failing REACH and CLP safety requirements, and misleading consumers with fake certifications.
• The share of genuine remanufactured cartridges has plummeted, forcing many remanufacturers out of business and costing thousands of green jobs.
• The European Commission’s studies confirm that cartridge reuse could reach 85%, yet this target remains unachievable without action against illegal imports.

Our Demands for a Fairer and Greener Market

ETIRA is calling on the European Commission to:

✅ Prioritise enforcement by designating printer cartridges as a Priority Control Area (PCA), ensuring proper oversight by Market Surveillance Authorities (MSAs) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

✅ Hold online marketplaces accountable for enabling the sale of non-compliant products, making them share responsibility for compliance enforcement.

✅ Introduce a system similar to the Digital Product Passport (DPP) for printer cartridges, ensuring transparency, compliance verification, and informed consumer choices.

✅ Strengthen border controls and customs enforcement to prevent non-compliant products from entering the EU market.

✅ Embed sustainable public procurement rules to ensure that public sector buyers prioritise genuine remanufactured products over disposable, non-compliant imports.

✅ Increase funding and resources for Market Surveillance Authorities (MSAs) to enforce compliance effectively.

Join the Campaign – Let’s Demand Change Together!

No single organisation can win this fight alone. We need the entire European printing industry to stand together. Whether you are a remanufacturer, an OEM, a distributor, a retailer, or a business committed to sustainability, your voice matters.

📢 ETIRA is calling on all stakeholders to unite and campaign for stricter enforcement, fair competition, and real sustainability in the European market.

📧 Contact ETIRA today at info(at)etira.org, to support our campaign, co-sign our letter to the EU, and help shape the future of our industry. Together, we can ensure a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future for printing in Europe.

🔗 Spread the word! Please share this message, co-sign our letter to the EU, and stand with ETIRA.

Co-Signatories: 

Belgium:
ETIRA European Toner & Inkjet Remanufacturers’ Association

Germany:
CM Printing GmbH

Italy:
PACTO Association
Refilservice srl
Sapi SRL

Spain:
IMEX EU Trading SL
GENERAL MACHINES TECHNOLOGY, S.L.

United Kingdom
ECS – Effective Consumable Solutions
Honest Inks Ltd.
Keypoint Intelligence