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There are also other characteristics of a monitor, such as energy consumption levels, that
are important from both the working and natural environment viewpoints. Since all types 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.
Electronic equipment in offices consumes an enormous amount of energy, since it is often
routinely left running continuously.
What does labelling involve?
This product meets the requirements for the TCO'95 scheme, which provides for
international environmental labelling of monitors. 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 among other things restrictions on the presence and
use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, CFCs (freons), and
chlorinated solvents. 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 conducts its operations policy. The energy requirements include a demand
that the monitor 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 monitor 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, along with physical and visual ergonomics and
good usability.
TCO Development Unit 1996-11-29
On the page this folder you will find a brief summary of the environmental requirements
met by this product.
The complere environmental criteria document may be ordered from:
TCO Development Unit
S-11494 Stockholm
Sweden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
E-mail (Internet): development@tco.se
Current information regarding TCO'95-approved and labelled products may also
be obtained via the Internet, using the address:
http://www.tco-info.com/
TCO'95 is a co-operative project between(3 logos)
Environmental Requirements
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 fish eating birds and mammals, due to the
bioaccumulative 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 colour generating layers of
certain computer displays. Cadmium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high
doses.