TCO Development has launched the seventh generation of its TCO Certified sustainability certification for IT products. The new version includes criteria for reducing hazardous non-halogenated flame retardant substances and replacing them with safer alternatives.
“Our goal with the new criteria is to provide the electronics and chemical industries with an incentive to test the flame retardants they use and provide information on their effects. We believe it’s time for the IT industry to take a greater responsibility in this area”, said TCO certification director Niclas Rydell.
Assessments of hazardous substances will be carried out using the GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals method, developed by US-based not-for-profit group Clean Production Action. These substances are assigned a benchmark from 1 (most hazardous) to 4 (least hazardous). Those scored between 2 and 4 will be included on TCO’s Accepted Substances list.
Other changes include the banning of four hazardous phthalates; tighter criteria for socially responsible manufacuring; and the requirements for each brand to have a policy addressing conflict minerals, as well as active participation in at least one initiative aimed at combating their use.
Displays from Eizo, Dell, Lenovo, Samsung and LG are the first to be certified under the new revision.
