http://www.tco-info.com/
TCO'95 is a co-operative project between(3 logos)
Environmental Requirements
Brominated flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and
housings. In turn, they delay the spread of fire. Up to thirty percent of the plastic in a computer
casing can consist of flame retardant substances. These are related to another group of
environmental toxins, PCBs, which are suspected to give rise to similar harm, including
reproductive damage in fish eating birds and mammals, due to the bioaccumulative processes.
Flame retardants have been found in human blood and researchers fear that disturbances in
foetus development may occur.
zTCO'95 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not
contain organically bound chlorine and bromine.
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.
zTCO'95 requirement Permits the inclusion of lead since no replacement has yet been
developed.
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.
zTCO'95 requirement states that batteries may not contain more than 25 ppm (parts per million)
of cadmium. The colour-generating layers of display screens must not contain any cadmium.
Mercury
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. Mercury damages the nervous
system and is toxic in high doses.
zTCO'95 requirement states that batteries may not contain more than 25 ppm (parts per million)
of mercury. It also demands that no mercury is present in any of the electrical or electronics
components concerned with the display unit.
CFCs (freons)
CFCs (freons) are sometimes used for washing printed circuit boards and in the manufacturing of
expanded foam for packaging. CFCs break down ozone and thereby damage the ozone layer in
the stratosphere, causing increased reception on Earth of ultraviolet light with consequent
increased risks of skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
zThe relevant TCO'95 requirement: Neither CFCs nor HCFCs may be used during the
manufacturing of the product or its packaging.
TCO'99-Ecological requirements for personal computers (TCO'99 applied model only)
Congratulations!
You have just purchased a TCO'99 approved and labelled product! Your choice has provided you
with a product developed for professional use. Your purchase has also contributed to reducing the
burden on the environment and also to the further development of environmentally adapted
electronics products.
This product meets the requirements for the TCO'99 scheme which provides for an international
environmental and quality labelling labelling of personal computers. The labelling scheme was
developed as a joint effort by the TCO(The Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees),
Svenska Naturskyddsforeningen(The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation), Statens
Energimyndighet(The Swedish National Energy Administration) and SEMKO AB.
The requirements cover a wide range of issuse: environment, ergonomics, usability, reduction of
electric and magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical safety.
Why do we have environmentally labelled computers?
In many countries, environmental labelling has become an established method for encouraging