Appendix
ELSA ECOMO 17DFP99
16
The energy requirements include a demand that the computer and/or display, after a cer-
tain 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 pro-
duct. The complete environmental criteria document may be ordered from:
쮿
TCO Development
SE-114 94 Stockholm, Sweden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
Email (Internet): [email protected]
Current information regarding TCO'99 approved and labelled products may also be obtai-
ned via the Internet, using the address:
쮿
http://www.tco-info.com/
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 che-
mically 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 rese-
archers 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 availa-
ble.
Cadmium* *
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the color-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 color-genera-
ting layers of display screens and the electrical or electronics components must not con-
tain 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
