Tco'99 - NEC MultiSync LCD1810X User Manual

TCO'99

LH-18S01
Congratulations! You have just purchased a TCO'99 approved and labeled
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.
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 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
environmental 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 bio-
accumulative* 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.
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