Inkjet printers used with data processing machines

1. Scope and Applicability

This PCR describes new, computer-connected, single-function inkjet printers that deposit liquid ink droplets on print media. Thermal and piezoelectric designs share one methodology; declare the actual technology. Multifunction printer/scanner/copier/fax units, laser and impact printers, industrial printing presses, standalone copying machines, cartridges sold alone and remanufacturing are outside this production route. Sources: un-cpc-3-0-structure-2025, epa-energy-star-imaging-equipment-3-2.

The foreground is purchased-component assembly, priming, functional testing and packing at the factory gate. This is a production module for downstream life-cycle modelling. The component inventory is a representative starting set, not an exemption from collecting the complete product bill of materials. The protocol requires additional atomic exchanges for actual feed rollers, belts, harnesses, fasteners, ink containers, absorbent pads, cushioning and rejected components when not already included in a documented purchased assembly. Never assign the unaccounted remainder to an unspecified-material flow.

2. Product Category Identity

Field	Value
canonical_pcr_id	pcr.metal-products-machinery-and-equipment.office-accounting-and-computing-machinery.inkjet-printers-used-with-data-processing-machines
classification_refs	CPC 3.0: 45263 (un-cpc-3-0-structure-2025)
covered_products	New single-function computer-connected inkjet printers
excluded_products	Multifunction devices; non-inkjet printers; standalone presses; consumables alone; remanufactured printers
representative_product	A declared model with purchased housing, chassis, controller, printhead, motor and power supply
production_route	Purchased-component assembly and testing, then packing
market_state	Accepted new printer at factory gate, including declared supplied ink and accessories; packaging separately quantified

3. Reference Flow

Field	Value
What	Provide the production inventory of a printer accepting electronic input and producing specified printed output
How much	Declared production unit: 1 kg net configured printer; one printer equals its measured net mass m kg
How well	Declare model, media format, resolution, colour capability, duplexing and acceptance test; mass alone does not establish functional equivalence
How long or cycle	One declared production reporting period. A downstream service comparison must independently declare lifetime, page count, print coverage and duty cycle
reference_flow_link	All production amounts divided by accepted net printer output Q kg; multiply by m for one printer. This is not a lifetime printing-service functional unit

Field	Value
Reference amount	1
Reference product flow	Inkjet printers used with data processing machines 02f03b13-dc7c-4249-be05-1a895cc160b6
Reference flow property	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66
Reference unit group	Units of mass 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
Reference unit	kg
Required qualifiers	model; single-function status; inkjet technology; supplied configuration; net mass per unit; ink formulation and fill; media format; resolution; colour and duplex capability; test protocol; factory and country; reporting period; supplier boundaries; packaging mass; grid voltage and geography

4. Measurement and Unit Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Required property	Required unit	Rule
net_mass	Printer output	Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66	kg	Exclude transport packaging from reference mass; record supplied ink and accessories consistently with component inputs. Retain count and net mass measurement.
electricity_conversion	Purchased electricity	Net calorific value	MJ	Convert measured kWh to MJ using 3.6 MJ/kWh; do not infer electricity from equipment rated power without measured time and load.
ink_mass	Ink input	Mass	kg	Use formulated ink mass; convert volume only with formulation-specific density and temperature. Account separately for shipped ink, test deposition and captured purge ink.

5. System Boundary

rule_id	applies_to	Rule	source_ids
production_boundary	foreground	Include purchased component assembly, production support, priming, test rework and packing; disclose exclusions and retain upstream dataset links for each purchased flow.	ghg-protocol-product-standard
component_boundary	purchased_parts	Supplier datasets must include the actual supplied state: moulding for housing, forming for chassis, mounted components for the controller and fabrication for the printhead. Raw resin, sheet steel or a bare board cannot substitute for finished components.
lifecycle_extension	downstream_use	Distribution, customer electricity, replacement ink and paper, maintenance and end-of-life are outside this production module and must be added for a full lifecycle. Do not claim full-product footprint or service equivalence from production-only results.	ghg-protocol-product-standard
ink_boundary	priming_testing	Include measured factory priming and test ink. Page-yield labels do not quantify factory consumption; retained purge ink is not an air emission.	epson-ink-yields

Boundary Abstraction

Field	Value
declared_starting_condition	Purchased finished components and formulated ink received at the assembly plant
starting_condition_role	Foreground entry boundary
product_classification_scope	Computer-connected single-function inkjet printer, CPC 45263
recursive_input_rule	Do not recursively expand the internal tested-printer transfer. A purchased complete printer is not a component input for this new-assembly route and requires a separate declared route review.
upstream_dataset_requirement	Link geographically and technologically representative supplied-component, ink, paper, electricity and packaging datasets; disclose missing suppliers and transport coverage.
disclosure	Declare outsourced manufacturing, onsite operations, reporting period, yield, rework, component mass closure, packaging and all omitted stages.

6. Process Inventory Structure

Process Map

process_id	process_name	inclusion	inclusion_condition	role	quantitative_reference
assembly_test	Assembly, priming and testing	required	Always	Foreground production	Accepted unpacked printer mass
packing	Packing	required	Always	Factory-gate delivery	1 kg net configured printer

Process: Assembly, priming and testing (assembly_test)

Inputs

Product flows

Moulded ABS printer housing (housing)

Housing mass from the component bill of materials; include moulding in its supplier dataset.

• Selected flow: Moulded ABS printer housing
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Steel printer chassis (chassis)

Record the purchased formed chassis mass and supplier fabrication boundary; not raw steel sheet.

• Selected flow: Steel printer chassis
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Populated printer controller circuit board (pcb)

Record the populated controller board mass, including mounted components; exclude separately counted power supply.

• Selected flow: Populated printer controller circuit board
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Inkjet printhead (head)

Record printhead mass and thermal or piezoelectric technology. Record attached fluid-path parts in its supplied configuration.

• Selected flow: Inkjet printhead
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Small electric motor (motor)

Record installed drive motor mass and rated power; sum identical motors without combining different identities.

• Selected flow: Small electric motor 60ce5b4c-0a5b-4ee5-9f5a-ac3d2b69681c
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Printer AC DC power supply (supply)

Record complete power supply mass and supplied cable boundary; avoid counting the same circuit board twice.

• Selected flow: Printer AC DC power supply
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

inkjet ink (ink)

Measure ink issued minus returned stock, separating shipped fill from priming and test consumption. Instantiate each formulation separately; cartridge shells are not ink mass.

• Selected flow: inkjet ink
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Uncoated woodfree printing paper (paper)

Weigh test paper or convert sheet counts with measured sheet area and grammage. Count test reprints.

• Selected flow: paper, woodfree, uncoated 58075527-56bb-4c6a-a78a-7d1a3f1db2da
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Electricity (electricity)

Meter assembly, firmware loading, priming, testing and allocated production support electricity; preserve grid geography and voltage.

• Selected flow: Electricity 890a70b7-b677-4e2a-8a1b-7d017e0a10ae
• Flow property / unit: Net calorific value 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66 / MJ; unit group 93a60a57-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Outputs

Product flows

Tested unpacked inkjet printer (tested_printer_out)

Weigh accepted unpacked printers with declared supplied configuration; transfer to packing without a second upstream burden.

• Selected flow: Tested unpacked inkjet printer
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Waste flows

Waste printed test paper (waste_paper)

Weigh discarded test sheets including deposited ink; record receiving treatment and exclude retained test records.

• Selected flow: Waste printed test paper
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Rejected inkjet printer for recycling (waste_printer)

inclusion_condition: complete assembled printers rejected and sent off site. Record mass and treatment destination; internal rework is not a waste export.

• Selected flow: Rejected inkjet printer for recycling
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_assembly_test

Process: Packing (packing)

Inputs

Product flows

Tested unpacked inkjet printer (tested_printer_in)

Use the matched assembly transfer quantity; reconcile work-in-progress inventory changes.

• Selected flow: Tested unpacked inkjet printer
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_packing

Corrugated cardboard box (box)

Record purchased box mass per shipped unit, including packing losses; disclose cushioning separately in the complete bill of materials.

• Selected flow: corrugated board boxes 4f197bec-7b3b-11dd-ad8b-0800200c9a66
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_packing

Low density polyethylene packaging film (bag)

inclusion_condition: LDPE protective film is used. Record film mass and thickness; resin pellets are not converted film.

• Selected flow: Low-density polyethylene foil (PE-LD) 2cecd3a7-d90e-44b4-aec5-1d9dfb907477
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_packing

Outputs

Product flows

Inkjet printers used with data processing machines (reference_product)

Record accepted shipped printer mass excluding transport packaging; retain item count and net mass per configured unit.

• Selected flow: Inkjet printers used with data processing machines 02f03b13-dc7c-4249-be05-1a895cc160b6
• Flow property / unit: Mass 93a60a56-a3c8-11da-a746-0800200b9a66 / kg; unit group 93a60a57-a4c8-11da-a746-0800200c9a66
• Amount rule: Collect the process-period quantity under the linked protocol, reconcile stock and normalize to accepted output Q.
• Value mode: foreground_record
• Specificity: site_specific
• Normalization basis: per 1 kg accepted net configured printer at factory gate
• Basis kind: reference_flow
• Evidence kind: collected_record
• Collection protocol: cp_packing

7. Allocation and Co-product Handling

rule_id	applies_to	Rule	source_ids
allocation_hierarchy	shared_operations	Subdivide directly measured operations first. Allocate remaining shared production electricity with a documented causal driver such as metered machine time; use economic allocation only if physical relationships cannot be established, and disclose sensitivity.	ghg-protocol-product-standard
reject_burden	rejects_rework	Retain failed-test and rework burdens in the accepted-output denominator. Internal transfer carries its upstream burden once. Waste without economic value receives no production allocation; report treatment and any recycling convention explicitly, without an automatic avoided-production credit.	ghg-protocol-product-standard

8. Foreground Data Collection, Calculation, and Quality Rules

Data Collection Protocols

protocol_id	process_id	flow_role	record_type	raw_fields	collection_method	unit	frequency	temporal_coverage	site_scope	aggregation_rule	quality_evidence
cp_assembly_test	assembly_test	Each component, ink, paper, electricity, transfer and waste row	BOM, meters, batch and waste records	part identity; supplier state; quantity; stock change; net unit mass; accepted and rejected count; meter readings; test ink split; destination; time	Weigh components and outputs; reconcile purchase and issue records; read calibrated electricity meter; retain full BOM and test logs	kg; MJ	Each batch and meter interval	One declared representative reporting period including normal losses and rework	Named assembly plant and supplier interfaces	Sum net quantities by atomic identity; divide by Q; reconcile internal transfers and stock	Calibration; invoices; supplier BOM; test acceptance; waste receipts; mass closure
cp_packing	packing	Transfer, box, film and accepted output	Packing and dispatch records	incoming printer mass; output count and net mass; box and film mass; losses; inventory	Weigh individual packing components; reconcile dispatch count and accepted printer mass	kg	Each dispatch batch	Same reporting period as assembly	Named packing plant	Net packaging issued divided by Q; packaging excluded from Q	Scales; packing BOM; dispatch reconciliation

Calculation Rules

rule_id	Applies to	Formula or rule	Inputs	Output	source_ids
normalization	All exchanges	q_i = A_i / Q; Q = sum of accepted shipped net configured printer mass. Keep the same reporting period and account for inventory changes.	A_i; Q	Quantity per kg printer
unit_conversion	One printer	q_item = q_i × m	q_i; m	Quantity per configured printer
paper_conversion	Test paper	Paper kg = sheet count × area in m2 × grammage in g/m2 / 1000	Count; area; grammage	kg

Data Quality Requirements

requirement_id	Applies to	Requirement	Evidence
bom_closure	Purchased assemblies	Reconcile full component mass plus shipped ink against net printer mass. Document boundaries of each assembly and add missing concrete exchanges before dataset completion; do not invent a balancing flow.	Supplier BOM and weighing records
period_scope	All rows	Retain geography, technology, measurement uncertainty and period. Distinguish measured zero, absent exchange and missing data. No unsupported external ranges are prescribed.	Linked collection protocols
ink_closure	Ink	Reconcile issued ink with shipped ink, printed test deposition, captured purge and stock change. Add separately measured discarded ink or pads when exported.	Ink balance and waste receipts

9. Validation Rules

rule_id	applies_to	Rule	source_ids
identity_check	reference_flow	Reject missing model qualifiers or a multifunction/non-inkjet product. Verify reference product state, net mass and the item-to-mass conversion.	un-cpc-3-0-structure-2025
inventory_check	inventory	Require one atomic exchange per row, matching property and unit, a linked protocol and either verified UUID or an explicit unresolved identity. Check complete BOM, positive Q and internal transfer balance.
boundary_check	dataset	Reject duplicate component/upstream burdens, packaging included in net reference mass, or production-only results labelled as a full lifecycle. Record external range evidence needs without fabricated bounds.

10. Published Dataset Profile

Field	Value
dataset_role	foreground_dataset
downstream_use	secondary_dataset; background_dataset; process; lifecyclemodel
allowed_use	Factory production module for the declared configuration; upstream-linked production modelling after completeness checks
excluded_use	Standalone comparative service claims; complete product footprints without use and end-of-life; extrapolation to multifunction or remanufactured devices
required_metadata	All reference qualifiers; BOM; supplier links; production period; measurement and allocation methods; boundaries
required_quality_disclosure	UUID gaps; omitted exchanges; upstream coverage; uncertainty; unresolved range evidence; data representativeness
update_trigger	Model, configuration, supplier, process, grid or packaging change; new primary evidence

11. Data Sources

Source id	Type	Reference	Used for
un-cpc-3-0-structure-2025	official_guidance	United Nations, CPC 3.0 structure, 30 June 2025. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/Econ/Download/In%20Text/CPC_Ver_3.0_Structure_30Jun2025.csv; retrieved 2026-09-08	Classification identity
epa-energy-star-imaging-equipment-3-2	standard	EPA, ENERGY STAR Imaging Equipment Version 3.2 Final Specification, definitions 1.A–1.C. https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/ENERGY%20STAR%20Imaging%20Equipment%20Version%203.2%20Final%20Specification.pdf; retrieved 2026-09-08	Printer and inkjet definitions; operating-mode terminology, not empirical consumption ranges
ghg-protocol-product-standard	standard	WRI/WBCSD, Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard, chapters 7–9. https://ghgprotocol.org/sites/default/files/standards/Product-Life-Cycle-Accounting-Reporting-Standard_041613.pdf; retrieved 2026-09-08	Boundary disclosure, primary data and allocation hierarchy; this partial production dataset is not a complete product carbon footprint
epson-ink-yields	handbook	Epson, Ink Yields, Initial Ink and Printhead Maintenance sections. https://epson.com/ink-yield-cartridge-info; retrieved 2026-09-08	Distinguish initial fill, maintenance consumption and residual ink from page yield