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User’s Guide 25
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?
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).
Approval requirements cover a wide range of issues:
environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electric and
magnetic fields, energy consumption and electrical and fire
safety.
Sarah User Guide.book Page 25 Tuesday, September 3, 2002 8:33AM