A leading UK Euro MP says he believes a vote in the European Parliament this week could mark a major step forward in his campaign to end what he describes as ‘the great cartridge con trick.’
Yorkshire and Humber MEP David Bowe, who is Labour’s European spokesperson on the Environment, is urging the Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, to back a proposal which would ensure that in future all inkjet printer cartridges must be refillable and recyclable.
Along with organisations such as the Consumers’ Association, David Bowe has been campaigning to end the practice of some manufacturers to install ‘smart chips’ which prevent cartridges being refilled—and also suggest that they are empty when in fact they often still contain significant amounts of ink.
He will use a debate in the Parliament on a draft framework to improve the energy efficiency of a wide range of products to highlight the need to end the actions of manufacturers which in some cases means that the cost of printer ink can be seven times that of vintage champagne.
Explains David Bowe “Inkjet printer cartridges are now probably one of the mot widely-used products in the world, yet the reality is that a few large manufacturers are using every trick in the book to prevent consumers getting a fair deal—and at the same time are undermining the need to improve energy efficiency as a crucial element in protecting our environment.
“There is big money at stake here. On average a refilled cartridge can be sold for about half the price of a new product and consumers should have the chance to reap the benefits.
“Research carried out by organisations such as the Consumers’ Association has highlighted the kind of tactics adopted by some of the big names—for example the installation of microchips which suggest that cartridges are empty—and in some cases even stop printers working altogether—when in fact they may have plenty of ink left.
“Another survey in the last few days has also underlined the widely differing costs—and performance—of different cartridges and printer systems. Whilst one popular
printer cost £708 to operate over an 18 month period another cost no less than £1,775.
“If we can build into the new EU eco-design legislation a requirement that cartridges must be refillable and recyclable it will be a major step forward in both protecting the right of consumers and benefiting the environment.”
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