Below you will find a brief summary of the environmental
TCO99 Eco-documentrequirements 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):
[email protected]
Current information regarding TCO99 approved and labelled
products may also be obtained via the Internet, using the
address: http://www.tco-info.com/
x Environmental requirements
Flame retardants
x Congratulations! Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables,
You have just purchased a TCO99 approved and labwielresled, casings and housings. Their purpose is to prevent, or at
product! Your choice has provided you with a prodleucats t deto veldeopedlay the spread of fire. Up to 30% of the plastic in a
computer casing can consist of flame retardant substances. Most
for professional use. Your purchase has also contributed to
flame retardants contain bromine or chloride, and those flame
reducing the burden on the environment and also to the further
retardants are chemically related to another group of
development of environmentally adapted electronics products.
environmental toxins, PCBs. Both the flame retardants containing
x Why do we have environmentally labelled 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*
In many countries, environmental labelling has become an
processes. Flame retardants have been found in human blood and
established method for encouraging the adaptation of goods and
researchers fear that disturbances in foetus development may
services to the environment. The main problem, as far as
occur.
computers and other electronics equipment are concerned, is that
environmentally harmful substances are used both iThen t hree leprvoadnutc tTsCO99 demand requires that plastic components
and during their manufacture. Since it is not so weifargh poingssi mbloree tthao n 25 grams must not contain flame retardants
satisfactorily recycle the majority of electronicwith s equiorgpmaennict,a llymos tb ound bromine or chlorine. Flame retardants are
of these potentially damaging substances sooner oarl lalowetedr in en tthere printed circuit boards since no substitutes are
nature. available.
There are also other characteristics of a computer,Cadm sucium** h as energy
consumption levels, that are important from the viewpoints of
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-
both the work (internal) and natural (external) environments.
generating layers of certain computer displays. Cadmium
Since all methods of electricity generation have a negative effect
damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. The
on the environment (e.g. acidic and climate-influencing
relevant TCO99 requirement states that batteries, the colour-
emissions, radioactive waste), it is vital to save energy.
generating layers of display screens and the electrical or
Electronics equipment in offices is often left running
electronics components must not contain any cadmium.
continuously and thereby consumes a lot of energy.
Mercury**
x iiTCO99 Eco-document
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. It
This product meets the requirements for the TCO99 scheme
damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. The
which provides for international and environmental labelling of
relevant TCO99 requirement states that batteries may not contain
personal computers. The labelling scheme was developed as a
any mercury. It also demands that mercury is not present in any of
joint effort by the TCO (The Swedish Confederation of
the electrical or electronics components associated with the
Professional Employees), Svenska Naturskyddsforeningen (The
labelled unit.
Swedish Society for Nature Conservation) and Statens
Energimyndighet (The Swedish National Energy CFCs (freons)
Administration).The relevant TCO99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor
Approval requirements cover a wide range of issues:HCF Cs may be used during the manufacture and assembly of the
product. CFCs (freons) are sometimes used for washing printed
environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electric and
circuit boards. CFCs break down ozone and thereby damage the
magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical and fire
ozone layer in the stratosphere, causing increased reception on
safety.
earth of ultraviolet light with e.g. increased risks of skin cancer
The environmental demands impose restrictions on th(male ipregnasentnc meel anoma) as a consequence.
and use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated flame
Lead**
retardants, CFCs (freons) and chlorinated solvents, among other
things. The product must be prepared for recyclinLeag ad nd canthe b e found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and
manufacturer is obliged to have an environmental cpoapalicciy towhicrs. hL ead damages the nervous system and in higher doses,
must be adhered to in each country where the compcanyause s lead poisoning. The relevant TCO99 requirement permits
implements its operational policy.the inclusion of lead since no replacement has yet been developed.
The energy requirements include a demand that the *comBiopu-atecr cuanmulad/tive is defined as substances which accumulate
or display, after a certain period of inactivity, shawithll inre livducine g oitsr ganisms.
power consumption to a lower level in one or more* sta* Leadge,s .Cad Themi um and Mercury are heavy metals which are Bio-
length of time to reactivate the computer shall be accreaumusonlaabtleiv fe.or
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.
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