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 the manufacturing. Since it is as yet not possible to satisfactorily recycle the majority of electronics equipment, most of these potentially damaging substances will eventually enter the environment.
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 conventional electricity generation have a negative effect on the environment (acidic and
What does labelling involve?
This product meets the requirements for the TCO’95 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), Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation) and NUTEK (The National Board for Industrial and Technical Development in Sweden).
The requirements cover a wide range of issues: environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electrical and magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical and fire safety.
The environmental demands concern 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 plan which must be adhered to in each country where the company implements its operational policy.
The energy requirements include a directive that the computer and/or display, after a certain period of inactivity, shall reduce its power consumption to a lower level. The length of time to reactivate the computer shall be reasonable for the user.
