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The environmental demands concern 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 plan 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.
Environmental Requirements
Flame retardants
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. Most flame retardants contain bromine or chloride and these
are related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs, which are
suspected to give rise to severe health effects, including reproductive
damage in fisheating 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’99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than
25 grams must not contain flame retardants with organically bound
chlorine and bromine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed circuit
boards since no substitutes are available.
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’99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no replacement
has yet been developed.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the
colourgenerating layers of certain computer displays. Cadmium
damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses.
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