LaCie 300 Series LCD Monitor
User Manual
page
Environmental Regulations
Congratulations! You
have just purchased a
TCO’03 approved and
labeled product! Your
choice has provided you with a prod-
uct developed for professional use. Your
purchase has also contributed to reduc-
ing the burden on the environment an
to the further development of environ-
mentally adapted electronics products.
Why do we have environmen-
tally labeled computers?
In many countries, environmen-
tal labeling has become an established
method for encouraging the adaptation
of goods 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 satisfacto-
ry way, most of these potentially damag-
ing substances sooner or later enter Na-
ture. There are also other characteristics
of a computer, such as energy consump-
tion levels, that are important from the
viewpoints of both the work (internal)
and natural (external) environments.
Since all methods of conventional elec-
tricity generation have a negative effect
on the environment (acidic and climate-
influencing emissions, radioactive waste,
etc.), it is vital to conserve energy. Elec-
tronics equipment in offices consume an
enormous amount of energy since they
are often left running continuously.
■
What does labeling involve?
This product meets the requirements
for international and environmental
labeling of personal computers. The
requirements cover a wide range of is-
sues, including: environment, ergonom-
ics, usability, emission of electrical and
magnetic fields, energy consumption
and electrical and fire safety. The envi-
ronmental demands concern restrictions
on the presence and use of heavy met-
als, brominated and chlorinated flame
retardants, CFCs (freons) and chlori-
nated 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 dis-
play, 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 com-
puter shall be reasonable for the user.
Labeled products must meet strict en-
vironmental demands, for example, in
respect of the reduction of electric and
magnetic fields, physical and visual er-
gonomics and good usability.
Environmental Requirements
Flame retardants
Flame retardants are present in
printed circuit boards, cables, wires, cas-
ings 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 an-
other group of environmental toxins,
PCBs, which are suspected to give rise
to severe health effects, including repro-
ductive 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 develop-
ment may occur. Plastic components
weighing more than 25 grams must not
contain flame retardants with organical-
ly 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.
Requirements permit the inclusion of
lead since no replacement has yet been
developed.
Cadmium**
Cadmium is present in recharge-
able batteries and in the color-generat-
ing layers of certain computer displays.
Cadmium damages the nervous system
and is toxic in high doses. Requirements
state that batteries, the color-generating
layers of display screens and the electri-
cal or electronics components must not
contain any cadmium.
Environmental Regulations
