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TCO’95
MultiSync LCD1920NX Black Model
Congratulations! You have just purchased a TCO’95
approved and labeled 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 electronics equipment are concerned, is that
environmentally harmful substances are used both in the products
and during the manufacturing. Since it has not been possible for
the majority of electronics equipment to be recycled in a
satisfactory way, 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 conventional electricity generation have a
negative effect on the environment (acidic and climate-influencing
emissions, radioactive waste, etc.), it is vital to conserve energy.
Electronics equipment in offices consume an enormous amount
of energy since they are often left running continuously.
What does labelling involve?
This product meets the requirements for the TCO’95 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), Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish
Society for Nature Conservation) and NUTEK (The National Board
for Industrial and Technical Development in Sweden).
The requirements cover a wide range of issues: environment,
ergonomics, usability, emission of electrical and magnetic fields,
energy consumption and electrical and fire safety.
The environmental demands concern restrictions on the presence
and use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated 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 plan 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.
Labelled products must meet strict environmental demands, for
example, in respect of the reduction of electric and magnetic
fields, physical and visual ergonomics and good usability.
TCO’95 is a co-operative project between TCO (The Swedish
Confederation of Professional Employees),
Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Nature
Conservation) and NUTEK (The National Board for Industrial and
Technical Development in Sweden).
Environmental Requirements
Brominated flame retardants
Brominated flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards,
cables, wires, casings and housings. In turn, they delay the
spread of fire. Up to thirty percent of the plastic in a computer
casing can consist of flame retardant substances. These are
related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs, which are
suspected to give rise to similar harm, including reproductive
damage in fisheating 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.
TCO’95 demand requires that plastic components weighing more
than 25 grams must not contain organically bound chlorine and
bromine.
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.
TCO’95 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no
replacement has yet been developed.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the
colourgenerating layers of certain computer displays. Cadmium
damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses.
TCO’95 requirement states that batteries may not contain more
than 25 ppm (parts per million) of cadmium. The colourgenerating
layers of display screens must not contain any cadmium.
Mercury**
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays, switches, and
back-light systems, Mercury damages the nervous system and is
toxic in high doses.
TCO’95 requirement states that batteries may not contain more
than 25 ppm (parts per million) of mercury. It also demands that
no mercury is present in any of the electrical or electronics
components concerned with the display unit, except the back-light
system.
CFCs (freons)
CFCs (freons) are sometimes used for washing printed circuit
boards and in the manufacturing of expanded foam for packaging.
CFCs break down ozone and thereby damage the ozone layer in
the stratosphere, causing increased reception on Earth of
ultraviolet light with consequent increased risks of skin cancer
(malignant melanoma).
The relevant TCO’95 requirement; Neither CFCs nor HCFCs may
be used during the manufacturing of the product or its packaging.
*Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate
within living organisms.
**Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are
Bio-accumulative.
To obtain complete information on the environmental criteria
document, order from:
TCO Development Unit
SE-114 94 Stockholm
SWEDEN
FAX Number: +46 8 782 92 07
E-mail (Internet): development@tco.se
You may also obtain current information on TCO’95 approved
and labelled products by visiting their website at:
http://www.tco-info.com/