Operation Manual

presence and use of heavy metals, brominated and chlorinated flame retardants, CFCs(f
r
and chlorinated solvents, among other things. The product must be prepared for recyclin
g
the manufacturer is obliged to have an environmental policy which must be adhered to in
country where the company implements its operational policy.
The energy requirements include a demand that the computer and/or display, after a cert
period of inactivity, shall reduce its power consumption to a lower level in one or more st
a
The length of time to reactivate the computer shall be reasonable for the user.
Below you will find a brief summary of the environmental requirements met by this produ
c
complete environmental criteria document may be ordered from:
TCO Development
SE-114 94 Stockholm, Sweden
Fax: [phone]
Email (Internet):
[e-mail]
Current information regarding TCO'99 approved and labelled products may also be obtai
n
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 housin
g
Their purpose is to prevent, or at least to delay the spread of fire. Up to 30% of the plasti
c
computer casing can consist of flame retardant substances. Most flame retardants contai
bromine or chloride, and those flame retardants are chemically related to another group
o
environmental toxins, PCBs. Both the flame retardants containing bromine or chloride an
d
PCBs are suspected of giving rise to severe health effects, including reproductive damag
fish-eating birds and mammals, due to the bio-accumulative* processes. Flame retardant
been found in human blood and researchers fear that disturbances in foetus developmen
occur.
The relevant TCO'99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 g
r
must not contain flame retardants with organically bound bromine or chlorine. Flame reta
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 cert
a
computer displays. Cadmium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses. T
h
relevant TCO'99 requirement states that batteries, the colour-generating layers of displa
y
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 sy
and is toxic in high doses. The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that batteries may no
t
contain any mercury. It also demands that mercury is not present in any of the electrical
o
electronics components associated with the labelled unit. There is however one exceptio
n
Mercury is, for the time being, permitted in the back light system of flat panel monitors as
there is no commercially available alternative. TCO aims on removing this exception whe
Mercury free alternative is available.
CFCs (freons)
The relevant TCO'99 requirement states that neither CFCs nor HCFCs may be used duri
n
manufacture and assembly of the product. CFCs (freons) are sometimes used for washi
n