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ETIRA launches new Europe-wide product standard
Düsseldorf, 10 April 2008 - ETIRA launched a new Europe-wide product standard for remanufactured toner cartridges called ETIRA Standard Toner b/w 1000. In a special meeting held on 10 April at the international cartridge remanufacturing trade show REMAX in Düsseldorf, the European industry body presented the new standard and its logo to the world.
The new European standard is an industry-first, as it allows for comparing the performance of a remanufactured cartridge to that of the equivalent original cartridge as sold by the printer manufacturer.
An independent research centre will test the remanufactured cartridge for yield, print quality, density, adhesion, etc. against the performance of the original product. If the remanufactured cartridge passes the test, it can carry the new ETIRA product logo (collective mark). This standard provides end-users even more guarantee that remanufactured is as good as original.
ETIRA’ s President Mr Christian Wernhart (Embatex) welcomed the standard: “ Quality comes first in our industry. Here in Europe, most of us already work according to the DIN, STMC or similar standards, giving consumers the confidence that we provide top-quality products. Many studies by independent consumer organisations confirm this every time. The new ETIRA standard builds on this assurance, because it even allows for a comparison to the original product. This will further increase the sales of remanufactured cartridges”.
Upon full completion of the external audit and acceptance of the logo's Terms of Use, the new standard and its logo are available to ETIRA Member firms.
A comparable inkjet and toner colour standard will be elaborated by ETIRA later this year.
ETIRA networking event at Remax: New Board of Directors
On 10 April, approx. 70 delegates from 35 ETIRA member companies and prospect members met at Remax (the industry's #1 European trade show in Düsseldorf, Germany) for networking and latest info. They elected a new Board of Directors, and discused the new EU law on registration of chemicals (REACH).
ETIRA also launched its new standard for toner b/w. Delegates met and did new bizz at the Cocktail, kindly sponsored by The Recycler Publishing and Events.
REACH and Remanufacturing
Mr John Hayes (H2 Compliance, pictured), speaking on the new EU law on chemicals called REACH.
ETIRA Paperworld 2008 meeting: Zero waste solutions are real !
ETIRA kicked off 2008 with a "Member's Only" Cocktail and Dinner on 22 January at the Frankfurt Marriott hotel. Over 40 ETIRA members attended the informal networking session ahead of the 5-day Paperworld event.
Key topic was the road towards zero waste for remanufacturers: how to dispose of our unusable empties in an environmental-friendly way. In addition to existing systems, a new method by France based-firm Enviroprise was presented to ETIRA members by its manager Gerrit Ouwens (pictured). The process involves shredding and separation of materials like toner, ferrous / non-ferrous materials and different kinds of plastics, resulting in an almost 100% cost-effective re-use/recycling solution, and even with special conditions for ETIRA Members !
Sensients’ Frank de Jonge, recently appointed as their European Business Manager Inks, briefed ETIRA Members about his company’s latest innovations. Mr Frank van Meenen presented the new structure and strategy of his industry-leading company WECARE4 (formerly KVM supplies), and Slovakia’s Goset’s Dusan Hanula showcased their new machine. All presentations are available from the ETIRA secretariat, info@etira.org.
Many thanks to our meeting sponsors Enviroprise, Sensient, WECARE4 and Goset !
Over 80 delegates met in Brussels for industry meeting 25-26 October 2007
Like in previous years, ETIRA and Recycler Publishing & Events joined hands in organizing the no.1 cartridge remanufacturing industry autumn conference in Europe
Some 80+ delegates attended the 2-day industry Conference in Brussels on 25-26 October 2007. Among the participants were remanufacturers from all over Europe, as well as suppliers of components, brokers etc. etc. There were even delegates from 4 different OEM’s !
The large turn-out demonstrated that the conference serves a need: the many expert-speakers bringing you the latest developments, while the many informal contacts provide top-networking possibilities and a lot of new bizz leads !
Presentations included the latest market analysis by expert agency Lyra, market development reviews by Static Control and David Connett, intellectual property topics by HP's Robert Aiello and industry expert lawyer Dr Katja Dauster. The meeting also discussed EU and environmental issues. All presentations of the Conference are available to sponsors, attendees and ETIRA Members.
Many thanks to the kind sponsors Static Control, Hip-Kiu and Recyca !
June 2007: European Patent Office EPO revokes Canon patent on toner cartridge remanufacturing !
Expert lawyer Ms Katja Dauster (pictured 2nd on the left) presented the ETIRA arguments at the EPO
On 27 June 2007, the European Patent Office decided to revoke a Europe-wide toner remanufacturing patent which it had granted to Canon in 2005. The decision to kill patent EP 0632 342 was made immediately after a hearing, during which ETIRA demonstrated to the EPO-examiners that the Canon patent lacked the key element of innovation.
ETIRA had filed official opposition against this patent back in 2006, on the grounds that it did not cover anything new. ETIRA laywer Katja Dauster, assisted by Jan Luijks (Cartrec) and ETIRA's Vincent van Dijk, was able to convince the EPO that socalled "prior art" existed long before this patent was granted to Canon.
ETIRA's Vincent van Dijk welcomes the EPO-decision as another great victory for the cartridge remanufacturing industry: "These things should not have been patented in the first place. But when they are, ETIRA will fight them with all its force".
ETIRA thanks everybody who helped by supplying materials to argue the case.
Re-use your cartridges: Less expensive and environment-friendly !!
When a printer cartridge has been fully used, it can be remanufactured to be used again several times. This is a cost-effective and environmental-friendly alternative to buying a new cartridge.
On this website you will find all the information you need about the remanufacturing of cartridges.
ETIRA
ETIRA is short for European Toner & Inkjet Remanufacturers Association. ETIRA represents the interests of the European inkjet and toner cartridge remanufacturers and related service providers/compatibles manufacturers, etc. in Europe. Created in 2003, ETIRA members now account for over 40% of industry turnover. Today, ETIRA is the recognized industry body for all topics affecting cartridge remanufacturing. A non-profit organisation in accordance with Belgian law, its statutory seat is Brussels, with a Secretary General's office in Breda, The Netherlands.
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