HP printers could soon lose their official environmental certification following user fury

A complaint has been issued by Executive Director Tricia Judge, on behalf of the International Imaging Technology Council (IITC), calling for around 100 HP printer models to have their official environmental certification revoked, due to the company’s suspect firmware updates.

The IITC - which describes itself as the “trade association of toner and inkjet cartridge remanufacturers, component suppliers and cartridge collectors in North America” - addressed its complaint to the Global Electronics Council (GEC), which is responsible for managing the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) registry, calling out HP for “greenwashing” and false labeling.

In the letter, Judge wrote: “[HP] has made a mockery of the EPEAT registration process,” citing firmware issues and company morales over manufacturing and production concerns.

Judge specifically points at criterion 4.9.2.1 of the EPEAT, which requires “documentation that product does not prevent the use of non-manufacturer cartridges and non-manufacturer containers.”

However, despite its various EPEAT-certified printer models, HP’s Dynamic Security update and HP+ subscription each have been recorded blocking anything other than the company’s own ink, blatantly neglecting the above criterion.

While HP does promise to recycle cartridges in over 60 countries and territories globally (assuming that Instant Ink subscribers stick to returning empties), the fact that tens of other manufacturers recycling their cartridges cannot sell them for use in HP models is of significant environmental importance. Not forgetting the likely price hike that comes with using OEM ink for consumers.

The complaint calls out tens of individual business printer models on pages 8 and 9, including the LaserJet, DesignJet, and OfficeJet families, on the grounds of the Dynamic Security firmware update. It also highlights models like the DeskJet, Envy, LaserJet, and OfficeJet on the grounds of HP+.

HP did not immediately respond to TechRadar Pro’s request for comment on the matter.

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If your HP OfficeJet printer isn't working, you're not alone - here's why

Some HP OfficeJet printers are becoming unusable after a  dodgy firmware update earlier this month, leaving them with nothing more than a blue screen displaying a seemingly unfixable error code.

The affected devices belong to the OfficeJet 902x family and include the OfficeJet Pro 9022e, OfficeJet Pro 9025e, OfficeJet Pro 9020e AiO, and OfficeJet Pro 9025e AiO (via Bleeping Computer).

Unfortunate users who have received the dodgy update will see an error message displaying the “83C0000B” code on the screen. Any users who are yet to receive the update may disconnect their devices from the Internet to prevent any automatic firmware updates from taking place while HP works on a fix.

A number of disgruntled customers have taken to HP’s support site to complain about the error which, so far, has remained unfixed. Many users report having owned their printers for fewer than 12 months, with one successfully returning their in-warranty printer to the supplier.

An HP support agent posted to the thread that “you might have to perform a semi-full reset on the printer,” however this looks not to have fixed the issue either.

HP told TechRadar Pro: 

"Our teams are working diligently to address the blue screen error affecting a limited number of HP OfficeJet Pro 9020e printers. We are recommending customers experiencing the error to contact our customer support team for assistance: https://support.hp.com. HP is committed to providing our customers with the highest quality printing experience."

Beyond bricked OfficeJet printers, HP customers have been sharing feelings of being let down for years. Most recently, the company shared an update about dynamic security enabled printers which are “intended to work only with cartridges that have new or reused HP chips or electronic circuitry,” threatening any damage caused by non-HP cartridges to not be covered by the manufacturer warranty.

More broadly, platforms like Reddit are littered with threads about unhappy HP customers complaining about malfunctioning printers, the introduction of subscription-based models, and limitations such as the cartridge requirement mentioned above. 

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Used SUV Guide: 2018-2023 BMW X3

All-new for 2018 and facelifted for 2022, the latest generation of the South-Carolina-built BMW X3 has been a staple in the compact premium crossover segment for more than five years. With 50:50 weight distribution, rear-biased AWD system, and a selection of powerful turbocharged engines, this luxury SUV was built for driving enthusiasts — especially in sportier, higher-performing trims like the X3 M40i.

On the connectivity front, look for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto , and a central infotainment and communication system that can handle up to 10 connected phones.

Under the hood, look for the latest versions of BMW’s four- and six-cylinder engines, both turbocharged. In the X3 xDrive30i, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine bumps the previous generation’s horsepower by eight to 248 hp, and runs 0-100 km/h in about six seconds.

The spicier BMW X3 M40i gets a turbocharged 3.0L straight-six engine, good for 355 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque — 23 per cent more than its predecessor, the X3 xDrive35i. Both machines run the same eight-speed ZF 8HP50 automatic transmission, and drivers can look for 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. A plug-in hybrid version of the X3 was also offered from model-year 2020.

Models with the Convenience Package got a panoramic moonroof, LED headlamps with cornering lights, and Comfort Access. Elsewhere, feature content included front and rear heated seats, a Vernasca leather interior, gesture control, the Dynamic Digital Instrument Cluster, a heated steering wheel, dynamic damper control, and more.

The available M Sport and Dynamic Handling packages catered to driving enthusiasts, while a Parking Assistance Package was available to owners who frequently use their X3 in tight quarters.

Key competitors include the Porsche Macan , Mercedes-Benz GLC , Volvo XC60 , and Genesis GV70 .

Follow the links below for additional features, news, review and specifications on the BMW X3, and read on for five tips to help you find the best used model possible for your dollar.

First, considering a used X3 sold through a first-party dealership’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program can provide more peace of mind than buying privately. That’s because CPO used models are required to meet high standards for quality, reconditioning, and care before being offered for sale, whereas privately sold units aren’t.

Next, and especially if you’re buying a 2018 BMW X3, click here to look up this generation’s recalls.

Dealers perform recall work free of charge to make your vehicle as safe as possible, though not all recalls apply to all vehicles produced. To check which (if any) recalls apply to the specific unit you’re considering, enter its VIN here. If you find any outstanding recall work, make an appointment to have it performed at your nearest dealer as soon as possible. Also remember to contact BMW Canada to register as the vehicle’s new owner upon purchase. This makes sure future recall notices will make their way to you in the timeliest fashion.

Elsewhere, note of the type and condition of the spare tire or mobility provisions included with the X3 you’re considering, minding that run-flat tires with no spare were common. The spare tire or mobility kit included with the vehicle you’re considering have a major impact on what happens if you suffer a flat, so you’ll want to know what you’ve got before you do.

Some owners have reported excessive levels of unwanted wind noise at speed from their X3’s; many have not. The owners’ community reports members using various means of testing and sourcing the offending sound, with little luck. According to some owners, dealerships are adjusting door striker plates and strategically adding foam padding to temporarily strengthen the seal of the affected windows. Here’s some more reading on the topic.

On your test drive, quiet the cabin and listen carefully for unwanted wind noise from a single side of the vehicle’s cabin. Further, open and then close each of the X3’s doors using the same amount of force, noting that additional force being required to close one or more doors may be a symptom of the noise problem.

During and since the pandemic, Canadians are putting fewer miles on their vehicles — thanks in part to new work-from-home trends. This means an increased likelihood that the BMW X3 you’re considering may have been sitting unused for an extended period.

This can cause problems, broadly referred to as ‘lot rot’. Be on the lookout for weak or dead batteries, rusty brake parts, flat or flat-spotted tires, suspension noises, excessive road noise, and dings, scrapes and dents on the vehicle exterior.

Be aware that a vehicle which hasn’t been driven for an extended period may make unusual noises and vibrations for a little while, the first time it  hits the road again. These can largely be considered normal if they go away after a few kilometres of driving, but persistent noises and vibrations should be investigated. For safety, confirm proper tire inflation pressure before driving a vehicle that’s been parked for an extended period, too.

Note, however, that post-Covid demand and shortages are bucking this trend as inventory turns over quickly.

Numerous owners of 2018 and some 2019 model-year BMW X3 s have reported unwelcome vibrations which may be felt through the vehicle’s body, seats, or steering wheel. Vibrations like these can have a multitude of causes, including pothole damage to wheels, damaged or low-quality tires, improperly inflated tires, defective driveline components (differentials, half-shafts, joints), transmission programming, and more.

Noting that these complaints seem the most common in model-year 2018 units, so test-driving shoppers are advised to spend some portion of their test drive at moderate and highway speeds, adjusting their cruising velocity in small increments and feeling for signs of unwanted vibrations.

Gently applying and releasing the throttle at speed can coax unwanted vibrations from the driveline, too. A healthy X3 shouldn’t exhibit any vibrations like this, and some owners have experienced multiple failed attempts to fix them.

Test drive your 2018 or 2019 BMW X3 with an eye for revealing unwanted vibrations, or opt for a newer unit for best results. Though this problem isn’t widespread, it is worth being aware of.

Some owners have reported that the X3’s motorized tailgate may be prone to opening all on its own, possibly impacting a nearby building or vehicle and presenting a possible security risk; most have not.

In some cases, random self-opening of the tailgate can result in paint- and finish damage at the lower lip of the tailgate, should it open into a wall or lightpost. Check this area carefully for damage.

If you experience phantom tailgate operation in the BMW X3 you’re considering during ownership, the likely culprit is a system sensor that’s too sensitive. Ask a dealership to help: they may be able to reprogram or disable the system, and some owners have reported that an accessory keyfob cover makes quick work of eliminating this problem once and for all.

These tips are designed to help test-driving shoppers more easily identify problems reported by some owners. A careful and attentive test drive that focuses on the areas above can help you find a first-class example of a second-hand BMW X3 .