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Reference Guide D–3
TCO‘99 Requirements
Mercury
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
there today is no commercially available alternative. TCO aims on removing this exception
when a mercury free alternative is available.
✎
Mercury is a heavy metal that is Bioaccumulative.
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 break down ozone and thereby damage the ozone layer in the
stratosphere, causing increased reception on earth of ultraviolet light with e.g. increased risks
of skin cancer (malignant melanoma) as a consequence.
Lead
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. Lead damages
the nervous system and in higher doses, causes lead poisoning. The relevant TCO´99
requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no replacement has yet been developed.
✎
Lead is a heavy metal that is Bioaccumulative.