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TCO'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.
TCO'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).
The 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 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 their
manufacture. Since it is not so far possible to satisfactorily recycle the majority of
electronics equipment, 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 electricity generation have a negative effect on the
environment (e.g. acidic and climate-influencing emissions, radioactive waste), it is vital to
save energy. Electronics equipment in offices is often left running continuously and thereby
consumes a lot of energy.
What does labelling involve?
The environmental demands has been developed by Svenska Naturskyddsforeningen
(The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation). These demands impose restrictions on
the presence and use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated flame retardants,
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