Regulatory Information
TCO Development
SE-114 94 Stockholm, Sweden
Fax: +46 8 782 92 07
Email (Internet): [email protected]
Current information regarding TCO'95/TCO'99 approved and labeled products may also be
obtained via the Internet, using the address:
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 chemically 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 researchers
fear that disturbances in fetus development may occur.
The relevant TCO'95/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 available.
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' 95/
TCO'99 requirement states that batteries, the color-generating layers of display screens and the
electrical or electronics components must not contain any cadmium.
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