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TCO’99- continued
Below you will fi nd a brief summary of the ecological requirements met by this product. The
complete ecological criteria document can be found at TCO Development’s website http://www.
tcodevelopment.com or may be ordered from:
TCO Development
SE-114 94 STOCKHOLM, Sweden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
E-mail: development@tco.se
Information regarding TCO’99 approved and labelled products may also be obtained at
http://www.tcodevelopment.com
Ecological requirements
Flame retardants
Flame retardants may be present in printed wiring board laminates, cables, and housings. Their
purpose is to prevent, or at least to delay the spread of fi re. Up to 30% by weight of the plastic
in a computer casing can consist of fl ame retardant substances. Many fl ame retardants contain
bromine or chlorine, and these fl ame retardants are chemically related to PCBs (polychlorinated
biphenyls). Both the fl ame retardants containing bromine or chlorine and the PCBs are suspected
of giving rise to health effects, including reproductive damage in fi sh-eating birds and mammals,
due to the bio-accumulative* processes when not disposed of in accordance with strict standards
for disposal.
TCO’99 requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams shall not contain fl ame
retardants with organically bound bromine or chlorine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed
wiring board laminates due to the lack of commercially available alternatives.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-generating layers of certain
computer displays. TCO’99 requires that batteries, the colour-generating layers of display screens,
and the electrical or electronics components shall not contain any cadmium.
Mercury**
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. TCO’99 requires that batteries shall
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 fl at panel monitors as there today is
no commercially available alternative. TCO aims on removing this exception when a mercury
free alternative is available.
Lead**
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. TCO’99 permits the
use of lead due to the lack of commercially available alternatives, but in future requirements TCO
Development aims at restricting the use of lead.
Hexavalentt chromium
Hexavalent chromium is sometimes used as surface treatment. TCO’99 requires that the product
shall not contain any hexavalent chromium.
*Bio-accumulative is defi ned as substances which accumulate within living organisms.
**Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are bio-accumulative.