ELSA ECOMO 117LCD, User Manual, Page: 33 / 42

Appendix
ELSA ECOMO 117LCD
27
Appendix
TCO '95 -
Ecological Requirements for Personal Computers
Congratulations! You have just purchased a TCO '95 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 to the further
development of environmentally adapted electronic products.
Why do we have Environmentally-Labeled Computers ?
In many countries, environmental labeling has become an established method for encou-
raging the adaptation of goods and services to the environment. The main problem as
far as computers and other electronic equipment are concerned is that environmentally
harmful substances are used both in the products and during their manufacture. Since it
has not been possible so far for the majority of electronic equipment to be recycled in a
satisfactory way, 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 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 Labeling Involve ?
This product meets the requirements for the TCO '95 scheme, which provides for interna-
tional environmental labeling of personal computers. The labeling scheme was
developed as a joint effort of 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