Congratulations!
You have just purchased a TCO'99 approved and labelled
product! Your choice has provided you with a product developed for professional use. Your
purchase has also contributed to reducing the burden on the environment and also to the
further development of environmentally adapted electronics products.
Why do we have environmentally labelled computers?
In many countries, environmental labelling has become an established
method for encouraging the adaptation of goods and services to the environment. The main
problem, as far as computers and other electronics equipment are concerned, is that
environmentally harmful substances are used both in the products and during their
manufacture. Since it is not so far possible to satisfactorily recycle the majority of
electronics equipment, most of these potentially damaging substances sooner or later enter
nature.
There are also other characteristics of a computer, such as energy
consumption levels, that are important from the viewpoints of both the work (internal) and
natural (external) environments. Since all methods of electricity generation have a
negative effect on the environment (e.g. acidic and climate-influencing emissions,
radioactive waste), it is vital to save energy. Electronics equipment in offices is often
left running continuously and thereby consumes a lot of energy.
What does labelling involve?
This product meets the requirements for the TCO'99 scheme which
provides for international and environmental labelling of personal computers. The
labelling scheme was developed as a joint effort by the TCO (The Swedish Confederation of
Professional Employees), Svenska Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Nature
Conservation) and Statens Energimyndighet (The Swedish National Energy Administration).
Approval requirements cover a wide range of issues: environment,
ergonomics, usability, emission of electric and magnetic fields, energy consumption and
electrical and fire safety.
The environmental demands impose restrictions on the presence and
use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, CFCs (freons) and
chlorinated solvents, among other things. The product must be prepared for recycling and
the manufacturer is obliged to have an environmental policy which must be adhered to in
each country where the company implements its operational policy.
The energy requirements include a demand that the computer and/or
display, after a certain period of inactivity, shall reduce its power consumption to a
lower level in one or more stages. The length of time to reactivate the computer shall be
reasonable for the user.
Labelled products must meet strict environmental demands, for
example, in respect of the reduction of electric and magnetic fields, physical and visual
ergonomics and good usability.
Below you will find a brief summary of the environmental
requirements met by this product. The complete environmental criteria document may be
ordered from:
TCO Development
SE-114 94 Stockholm, Sweden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
Email (Internet): development@tco.se
Current information regarding TCO'99 approved and labelled products
may also be
obtained via the Internet, using the address:
http://www.tco-info.com/
Environmental requirements
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables,
wires, casings and housings. Their purpose is to prevent, or at least to delay the spread
of fire. Up to 30% of the plastic in a computer casing can consist of flame retardant
substances. Most flame retardants contain bromine or chloride, and those flame retardants
are chemically related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs. Both the flame
retardants containing bromine or chloride and the PCBs are suspected of giving rise to
severe health effects, including reproductive damage in fish-eating birds and mammals, due
to the bio-accumulative* processes. Flame retardants have been found in human
blood and researchers fear that disturbances in foetus development may occur.
The relevant TCO'99 demand requires that plastic components weighing
more than 25 grams must not contain flame retardants with organically bound bromine or
chlorine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed circuit boards since no substitutes
are available.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the
colour-generating layers of certain computer displays. Cadmium damages the nervous system
and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that batteries, the
colour-generating layers of display screens and the electrical or electronics components
must not contain any cadmium.
Mercury**
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. It
damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO'99 requirement
states that batteries may not contain any mercury. It also demands that mercury is not
present in any of the electrical or electronics components associated with the labelled
unit.
CFCs (freons)
The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor HCFCs
may be used during the manufacture and assembly of the product. CFCs (freons) are
sometimes used for washing printed circuit boards. CFCs break down ozone and thereby
damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere, causing increased reception on earth of
ultraviolet light with e.g. increased risks of skin cancer (malignant melanoma) as a
consequence.
Lead**
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and
capacitors. Lead damages the nervous system and in higher doses, causes lead poisoning.
The relevant TCO´99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no replacement has
yet been developed.
_____________________________
* Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which
accumulate within living organisms
** Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which
are Bio-accumulative. |