Your printer’s expensive ink habit just got more expensive—and potentially illegal under new environmental standards. HP released firmware version 2602A/B on January 29, 2026, expanding its Dynamic Security feature across at least 11 printer models. The update disables third-party and remanufactured cartridges that don’t use HP chips. The timing? Just weeks after EPEAT 2.0 sustainability standards took effect in December 2025, explicitly requiring certified printers to support remanufactured cartridges. It’s like installing a new security system right after your HOA banned security systems.
Zero Printers Meet Updated Environmental Standards
Despite 38,000+ products under old EPEAT framework, no printers have transitioned to stricter 2.0 requirements.
EPEAT 2.0 offers manufacturers three compliance paths:
- Stop blocking remanufactured cartridges through firmware
- Develop approved solutions using original circuitry
- Create their own remanufactured cartridge lines
The framework aims to support recycling goals by keeping cartridges out of landfills. Yet while HP touts EPEAT 2.0 Gold certification for monitors and displays, its massive printer portfolio remains stuck under the looser 1.0 standard. The message? Sustainability leadership apparently has selective application.
Trade Group Calls Out HP’s Unique Enforcement Strategy
International Imaging Technology Council formally challenges HP’s post-deadline firmware expansion.
The Int’l ITC filed a formal complaint in March, arguing HP’s firmware strategy directly violates EPEAT 2.0 requirements. “HP is the only one with lockout chips that are triggered using firmware ‘upgrades’ that claim ‘security’ as a justification,” said executive director Tricia Judge. While other manufacturers have attempted competitive tactics, Judge emphasized HP’s approach stands out for its “persistence and impact on customers.” HP justifies Dynamic Security as protection against counterfeit products and cybersecurity threats—though critics see it as digital rights management disguised as consumer protection, similar to other tech scandals exploiting users.
Compliance Failures Could Lock HP Out of Major Contracts
Government agencies and corporations requiring EPEAT certification may exclude non-compliant HP printers.
Remanufactured cartridges typically cost 60-70% less than HP originals, making firmware blocks an expensive forced upgrade for consumers. But institutional buyers face bigger problems: many government agencies and corporations mandate EPEAT compliance for hardware purchases. If the Global Electronics Council finds HP in violation, those procurement contracts could vanish overnight. The GEC hasn’t issued its formal determination yet, but the stakes extend far beyond individual printing costs to HP’s entire institutional market share, especially for users already paying too much for technology essentials.
