A new European directive, set to take effect in September, aims to stop companies from encouraging consumers to replace printer ink or other consumables before they are actually needed. It also addresses practices linked to planned obsolescence, where products are designed to have a limited lifespan. The directive, titled 2024/825, is part of a broader effort to support the "green transition" by helping consumers make more sustainable choices. It focuses on banning misleading marketing and commercial practices that push excessive consumption of products and their parts. Under the directive, manufacturers cannot pressure consumers to replace or refill consumables unless there is a genuine technical need. For instance, a printer setting that suggests replacing an ink cartridge before it is empty would be against the new rules. This applies to situations like forcing users to replace a yellow ink cartridge to print in black and white or requiring the purchase of a new cartridge when the old one still has some ink left. The directive also requires manufacturers to provide clear information about the performance of non-original parts. If third-party ink or spare parts do not affect a device’s proper function, companies cannot make consumers believe otherwise. This rule applies not only to printers but also to other electronic devices and their accessories. Additionally, the directive affects how manufacturers handle software updates for products with digital components. Each product must now clearly state how long the manufacturer guarantees software support. This means that when buying a phone, consumers will know how long it will receive security updates. The directive builds on earlier rules that required at least five years of updates. If an update could harm a product’s performance, like slowing down a smartphone or affecting its battery, it must be clearly labeled. The directive also separates essential security updates from feature updates. Security updates, which are crucial for a device to function properly, must be clearly distinguished from feature updates that only improve the product’s capabilities. The European Commission wants to ensure that consumers can make informed choices by regulating how companies talk about planned obsolescence. It will be illegal for manufacturers to promote a product that includes features designed to limit its lifespan. Although the directive has not yet been translated into French law, it could delay its application in France. While some manufacturers might try to avoid these new rules, they will now face more oversight from European authorities.