Environmental Requirements
Brominated flame retardants
Brominated 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. These are related to another group of
environmental toxins,
which are suspected to give rise to similar harm, including reproductive
damage in fisheating birds and mammals, due to the bio-accumulative’) processes. Flame
retardants have been found in human blood and researchers fear that disturbances in foetus
development may occur.
demand requires that plastic components weighing more than 25 grams must not
contain organically bound chlorine and bromine.
Lead can be found in picture tubes, display screens, solders and capacitors. Lead damages the
nervous system and in higher doses, causes lead poisoning.
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. Cadmium damages the nervous system and is toxic in high doses.
requirement states that batteries may not contain more than 25 ppm (parts per million) of
cadmium. The colour-generating layers of display screens must not contain any cadmium.
Mercury is sometimes found in batteries, relays and switches. Mercury damages the nervous
system and is toxic in high doses.
requirement states that batteries may not contain more than 25 ppm (parts per million)
of mercury. It also demands that no mercury is present in any of the electrical or electronics
components concerned with the display unit.
(freons)
(freons) are sometimes
used
for washing printed circuit boards and in the manufacturing of
expanded foam for packaging.
break down ozone and
thereby damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere, causing increased reception on Earth of
ultraviolet light with consequent increased risks of skin cancer (malignant melanoma).
The relevant
requirement: Neither
nor
may be used during the
manufacturing of the product or its packaging.
is defined as
substances
which
accumulate
within living organisms
Lead,
Cadmium
are heavy metals which are Bio-accumulative.
