TCO Certified
TCO Certified, is a worldwide sustainability certification that promotes sustainably designed IT products. The focus of the certification is that IT products, their design, use and manufacture are based on environmental, social and economic considerations.
The purpose of TCO Certified is to advance sustainable development in the IT space, make it easier for professional IT buyers around the world to include sustainability requirements in their purchasing decisions and also to make it easier to verify product sustainability claims. Certified products meet a broad criteria scope including requirements for socially responsible manufacturing, environment as well as health& safety throughout the product life cycle.
TCO Certified is a third party certification, classified as a Type 1 Environmental Label in accordance with ISO 14024. This classification requires that product compliance with all criteria in TCO Certified is tested and verified by an independent, accredited third party. In addition, regular spot checks are carried out on products and manufacturing sites.
Eligible product categories
TCO Certified is available for eight product categories: displays, notebooks, tablets, smartphones, desktops, all-in-one PCs, projectors and headsets.
Sustainability criteria
Criteria included in TCO Certified are developed by TCO Development in dialog with a broad international group of stakeholders, including professional purchasers, the IT industry, independent subject matter experts and computer users. This dialog is a critical element in ensuring that the criteria in TCO Certified are relevant, reflect current needs, and are in line with new technologies. Criteria in TCO Certified are typically reviewed and updated every three years.
Socially responsible manufacturing
Requirements in TCO Certified for socially responsible manufacturing make it possible for purchasers to influence the manufacturing stage of IT products. Brands applying for TCO Certified are required to take responsibility for ensuring fair working conditions in production facilities manufacturing TCO Certified product models. Criteria are based on existing internationally accepted conventions, codes of conduct and reporting systems including ILO Core Conventions, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, EICC membership, SA8000 certification and compliance with labour laws in the manufacturing country.
Environmental criteria
TCO Certified product models meet requirements for energy efficiency and the reduction or elimination of substances that are hazardous to the environment or human health. For extended product life, all TCO Certified product models must offer a minimum one year warranty and spare parts must be made available for at least three years following product discontinuation. Product and packaging must be prepared for recycling and the brand must offer a take back system for responsible product recycling. For a product to qualify for TCO Certified, the brand must also be EMAS or ISO14001 certified.
Health and safety
TCO Certified includes criteria for ergonomic design, including visual and workload ergonomics, which contribute to a better working environment. Certified products also meet requirements for electrical safety.
Product testing and verification
TCO Certified is a third party certification. Product models applying for TCO Certified are tested and verified by an independent testing body for compliance with all criteria relevant to that product category. As an additional verification step, spot checks on products and production facilities are regularly carried out.
History
TCO Certified was launched for displays in 1992, focusing on usability and safety factors and has grown to include eight product categories and a broader criteria scope. TCO Development is owned by TCO, a non-profit organization based in Stockholm, Sweden and with regional presence in Asia and North America
References
TCO Certified Swedish Chamber of Commerce Taipei