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User’s Manual 69
Information
TCO Development
SE-114 94 Stockholm, Sweden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
Email (Internet): development@tco.se
Current information regarding TCO'99 approved and labelled products may also be obtained via the Internet, using the
address: http://www.tco-info.com/
Environmental requirements
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and housings. Their purpose is to prevent,
or at least to delay the spread of fire. Up to 30% of the plastic in a computer casing can consist of flame retardant
substances. Most flame retardants contain bromine or chloride, and those flame retardants are chemically related to
another group of environmental toxins, PCBs. Both the flame retardants containing bromine or chloride and the PCBs
are suspected of giving rise to severe health effects, including reproductive damage in fish-eating 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.
The relevant TCO'99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not contain flame
retardants with organically bound bromine or chlorine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed circuit boards since
no substitutes are available.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colour-generating layers of certain computer displays. Cadmium
damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that batteries, the colour-
generating layers of display screens and the electrical or electronics components must not contain any cadmium.
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 today there is no
commercially available alternative. TCO aims on removing this exception when a Mercury free alternative is available.
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.
* Bio-accumulative is defined as substances which accumulate within living organisms.
** Lead, Cadmium and Mercury are heavy metals which are Bio-accumulative.
Regulatory