Tco '99 - NEC MultiSync LCD1700V User Manual

TCO '99

4 User's Manual
MultiSync LCD1700V
Congratulations! You have just purchased a TCO '99 approved and labeled
product! Your choice has provided you with a product developed for profes-
sional use. Your purchase has also contributed to reducing the burden on the
environment and also to the further development of environmentally adapted
electronics products.
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 environ-
ment. The main problem, as far as computers and other electronics equipment are concerned, is that environ-
mentally harmful substances are used both in the products and during the manufacturing. Since it has not
been possible for the majority of electronics equipment to be recycled in a satisfactory way, 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
conventional electricity generation have a negative effect on the environment (acidic and climate-influencing
emissions, radioactive waste, etc.), it is vital to conserve energy. Electronics equipment in offices consume an
enormous amount of energy since they are often left running continuously.
What does labelling involve?
This product meets the requirements for the TCO '99 scheme which provides for international and environmen-
tal 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) and Statens Energimyndighet (The Swedish National Energy Administration).
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 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.
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.
Environmental Requirements
Flame retardants
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. Most flame retardants contain bromine or chloride and these are related to another group of
environmental toxins, PCBs, which are suspected to give rise to severe health effects, including reproductive
damage in fisheating 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.
TCO '99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not contain flame
retardants with organically bound chlorine and bromine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed circuit
boards since no substitutes are available.
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. TCO '99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since
no replacement has yet been developed.