Samsung KD17ASSS/EDC Why do we have environmentally labelled computers?, TCO Development, Cadmium

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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?

The environmental demands has been developed by Svenska Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation). These 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.

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. There is however one exception. Mercury is, for the time being, permitted in the back light system of flat panel monitors as today there is no commercially available alternative. TCO aims on removing this exception when a Mercury free alternative is available.

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.

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Contents SyncMaster173MP Hauptseite Symbole Stecker nicht mit nassen Händen StromSetzen Sie den Monitor vorsichtig ab InstallationSymbole Strom Reinigung Anderes Bewahren Sie alle Netzadapter getrennt auf Stellen Sie den Winkel des Fußes vorsichtig einEs besteht Brandgefahr Option AuspackenNetzschalter Vorderseite+ VOL Betriebsanzeige PIPBild im Bild?Netzstrombuchse RückseiteVideo-Anschlussbuchse Antennenanschlussbuchse Audio-AnschlussbuchseAuswechseln der Batterie TastennamenAnschließen an einen Computer Anschließen an einen ComputerAnschließen des Monitors Anschließen an andere Geräte Anschließen von AV-GerätenAnschließen eines TV-Gerätes Bei Verwendung einer Außenantenne EXT.SCART-AnschlussBei Verwendung einer internen Antennenbuchse Anschließen von Kopfhörern Anschließen an einen MacintoshKabel anschließen Anschließen des Monitors Automatisch Installieren des MonitortreibersWindows ME Klicken Sie auf Windows XP/2000 Driver Windows XP/2000Manuell Microsoft Windows XP BetriebssystemPage Microsoft Windows 2000 Betriebssystem Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Betriebssystem Microsoft Windows Millennium BetriebssystemLinux Betriebssystem Klicken Sie auf Besitze eine DisketteInstallieren der VESA-Basis Einstelltasten Source-TastenPIP Voyant dalimentationTasten der Fernsteuerung Source SenderInfo Auf-Ab Links-Rechts TasteDVI Vorlieben zu ändern OSD Ton Sender Bild-Reset Nicht unterstützter Videomodus SelbsttestfunktionWartung und Reinigung Ungeeign. ModusAdapter-Video-Treiber Symptome und empfohlene Abhilfemaßnahmen Bildschirmprobleme InstallationsproblemeProbleme im Zusammenhang mit der Fernbedienung Probleme im Zusammenhang mit der AudiowiedergabePage Frag Antwort Fragen und AntwortenLCD Skærm AllgemeinePlug and Play EPA/ENERGY Tabelle 1. Voreingestellte Anzeigemodi Voreingestellte AnzeigemodiHorizontalfrequenz VertikalfrequenzAustralia Brazil DienstzentrenUnited Kingdom MexicoImportado POR Samsung Electronics MEXICO. S.A. DE C.V Sync.-Signaltypen Sync.-SignalLochmaske Interlace und Non-Interlace MethodeExterner Geräteeingang VideoKanalfeineinstellung MPR II Compliance RegulatoryEuropean Notice Europe only PCT NoticeWhat does labelling involve? Why do we have environmentally labelled computers?TCO Development Environmental requirements Flame retardantsEnergy ErgonomicsEmissions EcologyFAX Natural Color Software Program Installation der Natural Color SoftwareNatural Color Wie Sie das Natural Color software Programm löschenFür ein besseres Display Für ein besseres DisplayAutorisierung
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