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The environmental demands impose 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 policy 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.
Below you will find a brief summary of the environmental
requirements met by this product. The complete environmental
criteria document may be ordered from:
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/
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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.
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.
Sony Corporation Printed in Thailand