Toner Cartridges: Definitions

Carbon black

a petroleum based product used in toner that is carcinogenic but is not known to present risks when used as toner

Cartridge remanufacturing

process by which a used toner cartridge is emptied, cleaned, refurbished, and refilled with toner for use in an imaging machine

Drill and fill

an inexpensive method of reprocessing spent toner cartridges that leads to poor cartridge quality and performance since worn components are not replaced

EcoLogo CCD-039

standard for remanufactured cartridges with specifications for the remanufacturing process, cartridge quality, and end-of-life management

International Imaging Technology Council (I-ITC)

global trade association of the imaging supplies industry and institutional host of the Standardized Test Methods Committee (STMC)

International Safe Transit Association (ISTA)

testing and standard setting organization for packaging used for shipping goods

OEM

original equipment manufacturer

OEM cartridge

the cartridge that comes with original equipment from the OEM, or new replacement cartridges manufactured by the OEM for specific use with the original equipment

Reman

short for "remanufactured toner cartridge" (see “remanufactured toner cartridge” definition below)

Remanufactured toner cartridge

used toner cartridge that has been emptied, cleaned, refurbished, and refilled with toner for use in an imaging machine

Remanufacturer

company that produces and sells remanufactured toner cartridges

Standardized Test Methods Committee (STMC)

a global committee, created by the International Imaging Technology Council, to promote standardized test methods for the printer cartridge industry

STMC certification

certification for remanufactured toner cartridge vendors that signifies that the vendor’s employees are trained in and use STMC test methods

Toner

fine particles that fuse to the paper during the printing process

Toner dust

a petroleum based products used in toner that is carcinogenic but is not known to present risks when used as toner particles of toner that escape from a cartridge, are not fused to paper, and can be inhaled

Volatile organic compound (VOC)

organic compound that typically vaporizes at room temperature and participates in atmospheric photochemical reactions