U.S. Bans Cartridges and Printers from China-based Ninestar Corp. for its use of Forced Labor: An Update

On June 9, 2023, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) took a significant step towards combating forced labor by adding China-based printer and cartridge manufacturer Ninestar to the Uniform Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List, making it illegal to import Ninestar products after that date.

Ninestar was added to the UFLPA Entity List for “working with the government of Xinjiang to recruit, transport, transfer, harbor or receive forced labor or Uyghurs, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, or members of other persecuted groups out of Xinjiang," according to the DHS. Eight Ninestar subsidiaries were also added to the list of companies banned for importation under UFPLA. 

However, it is disheartening to learn that these products continue to be sold under different brand names without any repercussions, particularly on e-commerce sites. Ninestar is the third largest printer and printer cartridge manufacturer in the world, and trades under dozens of brand names. By allowing such sales to persist, buyers are supporting an industry that profits from modern-day slavery and gains a large competitive advantage over North American-made, environmentally-friendly remanufactured cartridges.

Forced labor is an egregious violation of human rights. Workers subjected to these conditions face physical abuse, restricted movement, low wages or no pay at all, hazardous working environments, and other forms of exploitation. It is our moral obligation as consumers to ensure our purchases do not contribute to this injustice.

Want to put an end to the illicit purchase of Ninestar cartridges, sign the Int'l ITC's petition here. The Int'l ITC encourages imaging supplies dealers to join the Int'l ITC, which represents the interests of cartridge remanufacturers and their dealers in North America. The moment to join is NOW. Join HERE.

The responses to the ban have been numerous and loud. To learn more about the many developments on the Ninestar ban since June 9, please read more here.