TCO Development
SE -114 94 S toc kho lm, S weden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
Email (Internet): development@tco.se
Current information regarding TCO'99 approved and labelled products may also be obtained via the
Internet, using the address:
http://www.tco-info.com/
Environmental requirements
Flam e retarda nts
Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and housings. Their purpose
is to prevent, or at least to delay the spread of fire. Up to 30% of the plastic in a computer casing can
consist of flame ret ardant s ubstance s. Most fla me reta rdants conta in bro min e or c hlo ride, an d thos e f lame
retardants are chemically related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs. Both the flame
retardants containing bromine or chloride and the PCBs are suspected of giving rise to severe health
effects, including reproductive damage in fish-eating 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.
The relevant TCO'99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not
contain flame retardants with organically bound bromine or chlorine. Flame retardants are allowed in the
printed circuit boards since no substitutes are available.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-generating layers of certain computer
displays. Cadmium damages the nerv ous system and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO'99
requirement states that batteries, the colour-generating layers of display screens and the electrical or
electronics components must not contain any cadmium.
Me rc ury **
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. It damages the nervous system and is toxic
in high doses. The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that batteries may not contain any mercury. It also
demands that mercury is not present in any of the electrical or electronics components associated with the
labelled unit. There is however one exception. Mercury is, for the time being, permitted in the back light
system of flat panel monitors as today there is no commercially available alternative. TCO aims on
removing this exception when a Mercury free alternative is available.
CFCs (freons)
The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor HCFCs may be used during the
manufacture and assembly of the product. CFCs (freons) are sometimes used for washing printed circuit
boards. CFCs bre ak do wn ozo n e a n d t he reb y d ama ge t he o zone laye r in the strat osp he re, causin g
in creased rece ptio n on e arth o f ultra violet ligh t wit h e.g. increa se d risks of skin ca ncer (malignant
melanoma) as a consequence.
Lead**
Lead can be fou nd in pict ure tube s, disp lay scree ns , solde rs and ca pa cito rs. Lead dama ge s the ne rvous
system and in higher doses, causes lead poisoning. The relevant TCO'99 requirement permits the
in clus io n of lea d sinc e no rep lace men t ha s ye t been developed.
* Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate within living organisms.
** Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are Bio-accumulative.
TCO'03 -Ecological requirements for personal computers (TCO'03 applied model only)
Congratulations!
The dis play you have just purchased carries the TCO'03 Displays label. This means that your display is
designed, manufa ctu red a nd t est ed a ccording to so me of the stricte st qu ality and environmen tal
requirements in the world. This makes for a high performance product, designed with the user in focus that
also minimizes the impact on our natural environment.
Some of the features of the TCO'03 Display requirements:
Ergonomics
Good visual ergonomics and image quality in order to improve the working environment for the user and to
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