New regulations to phase out hazardous chemicals from IT products

New sustainability standards for IT products will be released later this year outlining an approach to reduce hazardous substances in computers, displays and other electronic devices.

The next-generation TCO Certified, currently being drafted by TCO Development, will not only outline banned substances, but will also propose a list of permitted substances declared safe for use.

“We’re striving for greater transparency in the IT industry and by ‘blacklisting’ and ‘whitelisting’ substances we hope to increase knowledge and reduce data gaps about the chemicals in our IT products,” said Emma Nolte, environmental specialist at TCO Development.

The draft recommends the phase-out of hazardous, non-halogenated flame retardants and replacing them with safer alternatives.

“This first step with non-halogenated flame retardants will help us analyse the effect of these substances and help industry take further steps toward toxic-free products,” said Nolte.

The purpose of the standards is to drive sustainable development in IT product manufacture, use and end-of-life handling.

The draft will also put forward four phthalates to be banned, which are commonly used as plasticisers in cables, and have been confirmed to have negative reproductive and hormone effects.

It will also encourage sustainable manufacturing by compelling companies applying for certification to declare the level of recycled content in their products since recycled plastic uses around 80% less energy in manufacturing compared with virgin materials.

Manufacturers will also need to declare the product’s energy efficiency in the use phase, as well as the total product weight, which can be an indicator of how much material will require handling at the end of life.

The next-generation TCO Certified is set for publication in November 2015. The proposed criteria would influence at least 2000 models of IT products worldwide.

Since the 1990s TCO Development has issued 751 valid certificates, representing 27 IT brands, and has contributed to the phasing out of heavy metals and other hazardous materials.

The draft is open for comments until 19 May 2015.