Why Do We Have Environmentally Labelled Computers - Hitachi CML170SXW User Manual

TCO'99 STATEMENT
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 th e 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 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 issues: 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
generat ion 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 the environmental 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 ch lorinated 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.
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