OEM-Refurbished Printer Shipments Grew in Early 2026
Regulatory pressure and hardware costs drove the worldwide market to a record $96.9 million value in the first half of the year.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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The global market for OEM-refurbished printers and multifunction devices saw a 14.5% year-on-year increase in unit shipments during the first half of 2026. This surge brought the total market value to a record $96.9 million as buyers increasingly looked for alternatives to new hardware.
Why it matters
The shift reflects a broader response to cost pressures on new IT hardware, exacerbated by component supply constraints and high demand for AI infrastructure. Simultaneously, European regulatory mandates are formalizing the demand for circular economy practices in enterprise printing.
Western Europe currently commands 39.2% of the global market value for refurbished imaging equipment. Projections suggest this region will maintain a 26% CAGR for unit shipments over the next five years, bolstered by strict public procurement standards.
The players
European Union
A political and economic union that sets regional standards for energy efficiency and circular economy mandates in hardware manufacturing.
France
A national authority actively driving hardware sustainability through legally binding public procurement targets for refurbished IT equipment.
The details
Refurbished hardware is distinguished from general secondary market sales by the inclusion of manufacturer-backed warranty and service terms, which mirror those of new devices. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) manage this through the use of original replacement parts and formal secure data erasure processes. This infrastructure allows organizations to meet sustainability targets without sacrificing the operational security standards required for enterprise imaging fleets.
Timeline
2022: The European Union designated imaging equipment as a priority category in its Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Working Plan.
2024: France implemented a requirement for public buyers to source 20% of IT hardware as refurbished.
2026H1: The worldwide market for refurbished printers reached a record $96.9 million.
2027: Mandatory EU compliance for imaging equipment is expected to take effect, while the French mandate rises to 25%.
2030: The French public procurement mandate for refurbished IT hardware is scheduled to reach 30%.
The Tech Race
This trend aligns with the European Union's Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Working Plan, which prioritizes standardized hardware lifecycles. It represents a shift from voluntary sustainability goals to structured, mandatory procurement targets that force OEMs to professionalize their refurbishment stacks.
Organizations and public agencies are increasingly required to pivot procurement workflows toward refurbished hardware to meet rising national mandates. Buyers can expect improved availability of certified, warranty-backed refurbished printers as OEMs expand these programs to satisfy both compliance and cost demands.
The takeaway
The refurbishment market is transitioning from a cost-saving niche to a compliance-driven necessity for enterprise infrastructure. Watch for the 2027 implementation of EU-wide mandatory compliance, which will likely serve as the definitive benchmark for the industry's shift toward circular hardware.
Further reading
For more on the hardware market, visit the Consumer Electronics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IT-Online.
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