“IITC Complaint: HP’s Instant Ink Program Restricts Third-Party Ink Use and Violates Environmental Standards”

Let’s first see what it is HP+ actually it is. These are cloud functions available for the printer, the HP Smart app will get more advanced functionality, the warranty is extended from 2 to 3 years and there is Forest First, or HP will invest in forest restoration with the purchase of the printer. The problem here is the added service Instant Ink, which can also be purchased with standard printers. It’s an ink cartridge subscription, where the printer will automatically tell you that it’s low on ink and help you order new ones that will be sent to your home as part of the subscription. At the same time, the old ones will be sent for their ecological disposal and will be used to create new ones. The user should save up to 50% of printing costs.

All this doesn’t sound bad, but there are catches. IITC does not like the fact that HP “gives” HP+ users 6 months of free Instant Ink subscription, but at the same time puts them under time pressure and can only connect to Instant Ink for 7 days after connecting the printer to the service. Then the offer for the free subscription period already falls. Time constraints and an attractive offer to save 50% on printing costs can make people order the service. Another problem is that once you use the Instant Ink service, the printer will permanently have a firmware that will only require original cartridges. Therefore, alternative inks from third parties will never be used again, even if the user stops using the given service. IITC considers this inappropriate. It should be noted here that HP does not inform the user of this necessity, and it is not even a small print in the conditions at the bottom, but it is mentioned surprisingly legibly at the top of the page (but it is necessary to click on the “+” with the description of the service). You don’t even need to be in the HP+ program to activate Instant Ink.

According to the IITC, this is contrary to EPEAT requirements, however, within those that HP has committed to meet within the Silver level, where most of its printers fall, there is no mention of allowing the use of third-party ink cartridges. However, the IITC is proposing that HP printers be stripped of their EPEAT certificates. According to him, these do not meet requirement 4.9.2.1, where the product must not prevent the use of other manufacturers’ fillings. Today, however, this requirement does not even apply to printers in EPEAT (at least it is missing from the list), so it cannot be violated, and for this reason there is no reason to remove the certification of HP and its printers. At least not because of this.