For the digital imaging industry – especially in the consumables sector – a significant transformation is underway that is driven by regulatory evolution and the rising tide of eco-labels.

At Keypoint Intelligence, we’re navigating these changes with an eye on sustainability and market dynamics, committed to encouraging and supporting the industry’s journey toward greater environmental stewardship.

A blueprint for sustainability
The European Commission’s (EC) unveiling of the Imaging Equipment and its Consumables – Preparatory Study for Ecodesign report marked a watershed moment for the European digital imaging market.

This report, born from extensive industry consultation, stresses the need for mandatory regulatory measures to elevate the industry’s role in facilitating sustainability. It delves into consumable pricing strategies, consumer behavior regarding device replacement, cartridge efficiency, as well as the broader environmental and economic implications of manufacturing practices.

Support among stakeholders was a mixed bag depending on the topic, with unanimous support across the board for increased device lifespan but varying levels of support for things like minimum page yield requirements and increasing post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic content in devices.

That said, it's important to note the parties involved in drafting the document, as the work wasn’t done by the EC in isolation. The commission engaged with players from industry: OEMs and remanufacturers to environmental NGOs, consumer groups, as well as different European member states and their national environmental agencies.

Such a broad level of stakeholder participation drives home that reaching new levels of sustainable business in print is a collective effort from every sector of the industry. It ensures that regulation remains fair and balanced in accordance with weigh-in from each of the groups involved, each with their own levels of interest in and influence on the market.

Eco-labels: The stars in the regulatory night sky
With the EC preparatory study casting off the port of sustainability, eco-labels are helping steer the ship for the industry. But these labels are not without faults. Ambiguities in certification criteria necessitate that eco-labels evolve alongside regional legislation to prevent unethical products from exploiting loopholes.

The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) stands out in this regard.

Managed by the Global Electronics Council (GEC), EPEAT is at the forefront of revamping sustainability standards for electronic products with an extensive criteria update and implementation plan poised for release in 2025. This multi-year project focuses on four key sustainability impact areas:

• Climate change
• Circularity and sustainable use of resources
• Chemicals of concern
• Corporate environmental social, and governance (ESG) performance

These and other regulatory changes aim to mitigate greenwashing claims, establishing a more transparent and verifiable framework for sustainability claims going forward. EPEAT’s forthcoming criteria update are the stars helping to guide stakeholders through the murky waters of environmental compliance, and other ecolabels may well follow suit soon.

Keypoint Intelligence opinion
We recognise that this regulatory sea of change is a challenge and an opportunity. Our comprehensive analysis – which spans the office market, supplies and services – has consistently highlighted the importance of adopting responsible business practices. In fact, our upcoming Responsible Business Impacts study underscores how the increasing emphasis on sustainability and responsible business practices is shaping the criteria for procuring office equipment and supplies. This shift is not just a ripple but a wave, reshaping the landscape of not only corporate policies, but also consumer preferences.

The global scope of eco-labels, with their varying standards and criteria across regions, mirrors the broader efforts by governments and advocacy organisations to reduce the environmental impact of our industry’s products and practices.

These labels – including the EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel and EPEAT, to name a few – are more than just badges of honour or hurdles for stakeholders to overcome, they represent a forward-looking commitment to environmental initiatives, from the promotion of recycled content paper to improved indoor air quality standards and the support for remanufactured cartridges. With innovation, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to the regulation rapidly gaining traction, we can ensure that the digital imaging industry not only survive, but thrive in this new regulatory landscape.

To discover how Keypoint Intelligence can support you and your business's ambitions through market leading research, insights and consultancy, visit: keypointintelligence.com

Further Reading
The Rise of Minimalist Packaging Design
We Are All Responsible for Sustainability