TCO’99
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 con-
tributed to reducing the burden on the environment and also to the further development of
environmentally adapted electronics products.
Why do we have environmentally labelled computers?
In many countries, environmental labelling has become an established method for encourag-
ing 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 the manufacturing. Since it has not been possible for the majority of electronics 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 the
viewpoints of both the work (Internal) and natural (external) environments. Since all methods of conventional electric-
ity generation have a negative effect on the environment (acidic and climate-influencing emissions, radioactive waste,
etc.), it is vital to conserve energy. Electronics equipment in offices consume an enormous amount of energy since
they are often left running continuously.
What does labelling involve?
This product meets the requirements for the TCO’99 scheme which provides for international and environmental
labelling of personal computers. The labelling scheme was developed as a joint effort by the TCO (The Swedish
Confederation of Professional Employees), Svenska Naturskyddsforeningen (The Swedish Society for Nature Con-
servation) and Statens Energimyndighet (The Swedish National Energy Administration).
The requirements cover a wide range of issues: environment, ergonomics, usability, emission of electrical and mag-
netic fields, energy consumption and electrical and fire safety.
The environmental demands concern restrictions on the presence and use of heavy metals, brominated and chlori-
nated 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 plan 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.
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.
Environmental Requirements
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are present in printed circuit boards, cables, wires, casings and housings. In turn, they delay the
spread of fire. Up to thirty percent of the plastic in a computer casing can consist of flame retardant substances. Most
flame retardants contain bromine or chloride and these are related to another group of environmental toxins, PCBs,
which are suspected to give rise to severe health effects, including reproductive damage in fisheating birds and
mammals, due to the bio-accumulative* processes. Flame retardants have been found in human blood and research-
ers fear that disturbances in foetus development may occur.
TCO’99 demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not contain flame retardants
with organically bound chlorine and bromine. Flame retardants are allowed in the printed circuit boards since no
substitutes are available.
Lead**
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. Lead damages the nervous system and
in higher doses, causes lead poisoning.
TCO’99 requirement permits the inclusion of lead since no replacement has yet been developed.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in rechargeable batteries and in the colourgenerating layers of certain computer displays. Cad-
mium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses.
TCO’99 requirement states that batteries, the colourgenerating layers of display screens and the electrical or elec-
tronics components must not contain any cadmium.
Summary of Contents for Silicon Graphics F190
Page 1: ...Silicon Graphics F190 Flat Panel Display User Guide ...
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