User’s Manual
Information
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 produ cts may also be obtained via the Internet,
using the address: http://www.tco-info.com/
Environmental requirementsFlame 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 bromi ne or chloride, and those flame retardants
are chemically related to another group of environ mental toxins, PCBs. Both the flame retardants containing
bromine or chloride and the PCBs are suspected of giv ing 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 distu rbances in foetus development may occur.
The relevant TCO'99 demand requires that plastic compon ents weighing more than 25 grams must not
contain flame retardants with organically bound bromine or chl orine. 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 dose s. The relevant TCO'99 requirement
states that batteries, the colour-generating layers o f display screens and the electrical or electronics
components must not contain any cadmium.
Mercury**
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and s witches. It damages the nervous system and is toxic in
high doses. The relevant TCO'99 requirement states th at batteries may not contain any mercury. It also
demands that mercury is not present in any of the electri cal 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 commer cially available alternative. TCO aims on removing
this exception when a Mercury free alternative is availab le.
CFCs (freons)
The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor HCFCs ma y be used during the manufacture
and assembly of the product. CFCs (freons) are sometimes use d for washing printed circuit boards. CFCs
break down ozone and thereby damage the ozone la yer in the stratosphere, causing increased reception on
earth of ultraviolet light with e.g. increased risks of s kin cancer (malignant melanoma) as a consequence.
Lead**
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, sol ders and capacitors. Lead damages the nervous
system and in higher doses, causes lead poisoning. The relevant T CO'99 requirement permits the inclusion
of lead since no replacement has yet been developed.
Regulatory