Why Do We Have Environmentally Labelled Computers; What Does Labelling Involve - NEC MultiSync LCD1525S User Manual

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.

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 electron-
ics 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 equip-
ment, 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 continu-
ously and thereby consumes a lot of energy.

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