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16/06/04

UK Hi-Tech Industry Supports New ISO Standard for Measuring Monochrome Toner Print Cartridge Yield

Printing Test Standards That are Technically Robust, Consensus-Driven and International in Scope Will Offer Most Benefit to Customers, says Intellect.

Intellect has spoken out in support of the new International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standard, ISO/IEC 19752, for toner cartridge yield in monochrome laser printers.

Commenting, Steve Foster, Head of Intellect's Printer Manufacturer Group said, "The UK printer manufacturing industry has been a leading proponent of the development of industry standards, and believes that a single, rigorous, worldwide ISO standard to measure monochrome toner cartridge yield will help customers to more objectively and accurately evaluate printer and print cartridge yields."

He continued, "The standard's robust criteria and consistency, ISO's unbiased and global approach, and the industry-wide participation in developing the standard will result in significant benefits for customers and the printing industry alike."

"Until now, printer manufacturers have used a variety of methodologies to measure laser toner cartridge yield. Through their national standards bodies, Intellect's members HP, Epson, Lexmark and Canon, have supported ISO's development of an industry standard for determining toner cartridge yield for monochrome laser printers. This standard will now ensure that consumers have consistent and easy to understand yield information for use in evaluating monochrome laser products."

"Following the launch of the ISO/IEC 19752 standard the UK printer manufacturer industry will maintain its commitment to continue working with the ISO to ensure the effective application of the standard on a global basis, and to the development of future colour ink and toner standards."

"Customers can now be assured that companies who support and adhere to the new ISO standard are using the most robust industry standard available for determining monochrome toner printer yield."

"Printers are a global product for global markets and consumers the world over have similar interests and concerns. International standards are clearly the preferred solution compared to a multiplicity of regional standards whose differences can only serve to confuse customers."

"Intellect now calls on the broader UK printer industry to support and adhere to these new, rigorous testing methodologies to measure monochrome toner cartridge yield, and to join the ISO work on similar standards for colour toner and inkjet cartridges."

Concluding, Steve Foster said, "The new ISO standard for determining monochrome toner yield is the first step in a process designed to provide consumers with consistent yield information which they can rely upon when evaluating printers. Intellect considers it to be a solid foundation for the currently evolving colour ink and laser standards, and reaffirms the industry’s commitment to work with ISO to ensure these standards are completed by end of December 2005."

Background

• The expansion of the existing ISO work programme on laser printer yield standards to include inkjet cartridges followed recommendations made by the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) within its Consumer IT Goods and Services Report of December 2002. This report stated that a test standard should be developed against which the performance of inkjet cartridges could be measured.
  
• In April 2004, the OFT reiterated to Intellect its support of the ISO process to create yield standards for customers of ink and toner cartridges.
  
• The new ISO standard embraces all the key attributes that affect yield and applies robust statistical analysis so all manufacturers can utilise the same methodology when measuring yield.
  
• The new standard addresses and applies equally to the remanufacturing and refilling industry as well as to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
  
• Intellect and its members continue to collaborate with ISO on the development of a similar standard for inkjet cartridges and printers. This activity is scheduled for completion December 2005.
  
• ISO is an internationally recognised organisation that has successfully developed many important and widely used standards by working closely with all stakeholders (OEMs, the aftermarket community, testing organisations and others) around the world to arrive at unbiased, robust, reliable standards on behalf of customers. (www.iso.org)
  
• Technical Testing Criteria
  
  • Standard test document: Use of a standard page printed in a controlled environment with printer default settings.
    
  • Number of cartridges tested: A minimum of nine of each cartridge is tested until they reach a defined end of life, allowing reliable estimates of lowest predicted yield with statistical confidence.
    
  • Source for cartridges: Cartridges and printers used represent those available to customers on the open market from different sources.
    
  • Clear, objective, end-of-life criteria: Determines cartridge yield through measurements that establish an end-of-life criterion.
    
  • Number of printers: A minimum of three cartridges are tested on three different printers (a minimum of three cartridges on each printer) to avoid bias due to printer variability.
    
  • Controlled environment: Printing environment is controlled and consistent because temperature and humidity variations affect yield.
    
  • Objectivity: Because of worldwide and industry-wide participation, the testing criteria reflect objectivity in developing a reliable and rigorous standard.
    

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