TCO’99 Eco-document (for the white model)
x Congratulations!
You have just purchased’99 approvedaandTCOlabelled 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.

Labelled products must meet strict environmental demands, for example, in respect of the reduction of electric and magnetic fields, physical and visual ergonomics and good usability.

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/

xEnvironmental requirementsFlame retardants

Flame retardants are present in printed circui casings and housings. Their purpose is to prev spread of fire. Up to 30% of the plastic in a com of flame retardant substances. Most flame reta chloride, and those flame retardants are chemi group of environmental toxins, PCBs. Both the containing bromine or chloride and the PCBs ar to severe health effects, including reproduct birds and mammals, due to the* processesbio-. Flameaccumulative

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

xWhy do we have environmentally labelledbound brominecomor chlorine- . Flame retardants are allowed in the printed

puters?circuit boards since no substitutes are available.

In many countries, environmental labelling has become an established Cadmium **

method for encouraging the adaptation of goods and services to the

Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-generating

environment. The main problem, asfar ascomputersand otherelectronics

layers of certain computer displays. Cadmium damages the nervous

equipment are concerned, is that environmentally harmful substances are

system and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO’99 requirement states

used both in the products and during their manufacture. Since it is not so

that batteries, the colour-generating layers of display screens and the

farpossibletosatisfactorilyrecyclethe majorityofelectronicsequipment,

electrical or electronics components must not contain any cadmium.

mostofthesepotentiallydamagingsubstancessoonerorlaterenternature.

Mercury **

There are also other characteristics of a computer, such as energy

consumption levels, that are important fromMercurythe viewpointsis sometimes foundofin batteries,both therelays and switches. It damages

work (internal) and natural (external) environments. Since all methods of

the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO’99

electricity generation have a negative effect on the environment (e.g.

requirement states that batteries may not contain any mercury. It also

acidic and climate-influencing emissions, radioactive waste), it is vital to demands that mercury is not present in any of the electrical or electronics

save energy. Electronics equipment in offices is often left running components associated with the labelled unit.

continuously and thereby consumes a lot of energy.

x What does labelling involve?CFCs (freons)

The relevant TCO’99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor HCFCs

 

This product meets the requirements’99 scheme which for the TCO

provides for international and environmental labelling of personal

may be used during the manufacture and assembly of the product. CFCs

(freons) are sometimes used for washing printed circuit boards. CFCs

computers. The labelling scheme was developed as a joint effort by the

break down ozone and thereby damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere,

TCO (The Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees), Svenska

causing increased reception on earth of ultraviolet light with e.g. increased

Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation)

risks of skin cancer (malignant melanoma) as a consequence.

and Statens Energimyndighet (The Swedish National Energy

 

Administration).

Lead **

 

Approval requirements cover a wide range of issues: environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electric and magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical and fire safety.

The environmental 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.

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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