Appendix
What does labelling involve?Environmental requirements
This product meets the requirements for the TCOO99 schemeFlame retardants
which provides for international and environmentalFlame retardants are present in printed circuit boards,
labelling of personal computers. The labelling scheme wascables, wires, casings and housings. Their purpose is to
developed as a joint effort by the TCO (The Swedishprevent, or at least to delay the spread of fire. Up to 30% of
Confederation of Professional Employees), Svenskathe plastic in a computer casing can consist of flame
Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Natureretardant substances. Most flame retardants contain
Conservation) and Statens Energimyndighet (The Swedishbromine or chloride, and those flame retardants are
National Energy Administration).chemically related to another group of environmental
toxins, PCBs. Both the flame retardants containing bromine
Approval requirements cover a wide range of issues:or chloride and the PCBs are suspected of giving rise to
environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electric andsevere health effects, including reproductive damage in fish-
magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical and fireeating birds and mammals, due to the bio-accumulative*
safety.processes. Flame retardants have been found in human
blood and researchers fear that disturbances in foetus
The environmental demands impose restrictions on thedevelopment may occur.
presence and use of heavy metals, brominated and
chlorinated flame retardants, CFCs (freons) and chlorinatedThe relevant TCOO99 demand requires that plastic
solvents, among other things. The product must becomponents weighing more than 25 grams must not contain
prepared for recycling and the manufacturer is obliged toflame retardants with organically bound bromine or
have an environmental policy which must be adhered to inchlorine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed circuit
each country where the company implements itsboards since no substitutes are available.
operational policy.
Cadmium**
The energy requirements include a demand that theCadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the
computer and/or display, after a certain period of
colour-generating layers of certain computer displays.
inactivity, shall reduce its power consumption to a lowerCadmium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high
level in one or more stages. The length of time to reactivatedoses. The relevant TCOO99 requirement states that
the computer shall be reasonable for the user.batteries, the colour-generating layers of display screens and
the electrical or electronics components must not contain
Labelled products must meet strict environmental demands,any cadmium.
for example, in respect of the reduction of electric and
magnetic fields, physical and visual ergonomics and goodMercury**
usability.Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and
switches. It damages the nervous system and is toxic in high
Below you will find a brief summary of the environmental
doses. The relevant TCOO99 requirement states that batteries
requirements met by this product. The completemay not contain any mercury. It also demands that mercury
environmental criteria document may be ordered from:
TCO Developmentis not present in any of the electrical or electronics
components associated with the labelled unit.
SE-114 94 Stockholm, Sweden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
CFCs (freons)
Email (Internet):
[email protected] relevant TCOO99 requirement states that neither CFCs
Current information regarding TCOO99 approved
and labelled products may also be obtained via thenor HCFCs may be used during the manufacture and
assembly of the product. CFCs (freons) are sometimes used
Internet, using the address:for washing printed circuit boards. CFCs break down ozone
http://www.tco-info.com/
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.
ii
ACEC
SONY
