ViewSonic Q9 ii
Below you will find 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, delay the spread of fire. Up to 30% of the weight of the plastic
in a computer casing can consist of flame retardant substances. Many flame retardants contain
bromine or chlorine, and these flame retardants are chemically related to PCBs
(polychlorinated biphenyls). Flame retardants containing bromine or chlorine and the PCBs
are suspected of giving rise to health effects, including reproductive damage in fisheating birds
and mammals, due to the bio-accumulative* processes when these are not disposed of in
accordance with the strict standards for disposal.
TCO’99 requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams shall not contain flame
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, except
for two types of brominated flame retardants (PBB and PBDE), which are not allowed in the
product at all.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-generating layers of certain
computer displays.
TCO’99 requires that the product including batteries shall not contain any cadmium.
Mercury**
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. TCO’99 requires that the
product including batteries shall not contain any mercury. There is, however, one exception.
Mercury is, for the time being, permitted in the back light system of flat panel monitors as
there is currently no commercially available alternative. TCO aims to remove this exception
when a mercury free alternative is available.
Lead**
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. TCO’99 requires
that the product including batteries shall not contain any lead.
Hexavalent chromium**
Hexavalent chromium is sometimes used as surface treatment. TCO’99 requires that the
product shall not contain any hexavalent chromium.
* Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate in living organisms.
**Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are bio-accumulative.