TCO '99 Information
(For 150P3A, 150P3E, 150B3B, 150B3E, 150B3M, 150S3F)
Congratulations!
You have just purchased a TCO '99 approved and
labeled product! Your choice has provided you with a product
developed for professional use. Your purchase has also contributed to
reducing the burden on the environment and also to the further
development of environmentally adapted electronics products.
Why do we have environmentally labeled computers?
In many countries, environmental labeling has become an established method for encouraging the adaptation of goods and services to the
environment. The main problem, as far as computers and other electronics equipment are concerned, is that environmentally harmful
substances are used both in the products and during their manufacture. Since it is not so far possible to satisfactorily recycle the majority of
electronics equipment, most of these potentially damaging substances sooner or later enter nature.
There are also other characteristics of a computer, such as energy consumption levels, that are important from the viewpoints of both the
work (internal) and natural (external) environments. Since all methods of electricity generation have a negative effect on the environment
(e.g. acidic and climate-influencing emissions, radioactive waste), it is vital to save energy. Electronics equipment in offices is often left
running continuously and thereby consumes a lot of energy.
What does labeling involve?
This product meets the requirements for the TCO'99 scheme which provides for international and environmental labeling of personal
computers. The labeling scheme was developed as a joint effort by the TCO (The Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees),
Svenska Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation) and Statens Energimyndighet (The Swedish National
Energy Administration).
Approval requirements cover a wide range of issues: environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electric and magnetic fields, energy
consumption and electrical and fire safety.
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.
Labeled 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 labeled products may also be obtained via the
Internet, using the address:
http://www.tco-info.com/
RETURN TO TOP OF THE PAGE
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
Regulatory Information
file:///D|/Grace/03771/english/150b3mq/safety/regs/regulat.htm (3 of 10) [1/30/2002 2:35:18 PM]
