In France, the first criminal trial for planned obsolescence

Epson, the leading printer company, is under fire for designing printers that falsely warn when cartridges are low.

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On July 2, 2026 in front of the Nanterre Criminal Court (Tribunal correctionnel de Nanterre), in the metropolitan area of ​​Paris, a historic trial has begun: the first in the world in which a large company of electrical and electronic products has to answer, under criminal law, for Planned obsolescence.
The Nanterre Prosecutor's Office has decided to postpone Epson on trial after more than eight years of investigations conducted by the French consumer protection authority (DGCCRF). Epson, multinationalA Japanese company specializing in printing, imaging, projection, robotics, and precision components technologies has been brought before the French courts for allegedly adopting practices that artificially reduced the lifespan of certain printers and their consumables.
In particular, the multinational is accused of having designed its printers with a system that forces consumers to waste their money. The devices indicate that the cartridges are empty when in reality they still contain between 20 and 40 percent of ink: at this point the consumer has no choice but to buy a new one. new cartridge, even when it isn't necessary.

According to the French association HOP (Halte à l'Obsolescence Programmée), printers Epson they stop functioning when the cartridges are far from being empty thanks to to the “waste ink pad”. Printers monitor a component that collects waste ink. When the software determines that this pad has reached its capacity, the printer stops.

Epson, for its part, rejects the accusations and maintains that the cartridge limits are intended to ensure print quality and avoid damage to the printheads, which in inkjet printers can deteriorate if they run without enough ink; the monitoring of the recovery pad is a safety measure to avoid ink spills; the pad is a normal wear component present in inkjet printers and can be replaced. Furthermore, Epson claims to offer replacement through its service centers, even beyond the warranty in certain circumstances.

La first hearing on July 2, 2026 It did not conclude with decisions on the merits or with relevant provisions being made public. It essentially consisted of the opening of the hearing before the Nanterre Criminal Court, with the appearance of the parties and the organization of the trial calendar.

Se Epson was convicted of the crime of Planned obsolescence provided for by French law, could lead to both criminal and economic consequences.

The main sanctions provided by law are:

  • A fine of up to 300.000 euros, which can be increased up to 5% of average annual turnover of the company, calculated over the three financial years preceding the events, if this amount is more proportionate to the economic advantage obtained.
  • Up to two years in prison. For a company, the prison sentence is obviously not applicable, but it could apply to any natural persons found liable (for example, managers), if the court found their personal criminal liability.

In addition to these penalties, in such a proceeding there may also be other consequences, depending on the court's decision, such as:

  • compensation for damages to the civil parties who appeared in the proceedings;
  • the possible publication of the sentence;
  • a strong reputational impact, especially since it would be the first conviction in the world for this specific crime, if the court were to reach that conclusion.

Let us remember that France is the first country in the world to have introduced a specific crime of Planned obsolescence.

The rule was introduced with the Law No. 2015-992 of 17 August 2015, Known as Loi relating to the energy transition for the green crop (Law on the Energy Transition for Green Growth). Its provisions were subsequently incorporated into the Consumer Code.

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