The next step toward sustainable IT products
Getting to truly sustainable IT products is a journey of continuous improvement in environmental and social responsibility. With TCO Certified generation 9 we take critical next steps along this pathway. Updates and changes are made in several criteria areas.
Socially responsible manufacturing
Bringing transparency further into the supply chain
We require transparency about sub-suppliers, take the next step in combating corruption and include stricter criteria on responsible mineral sourcing. Our structured approach helps you reach sustainability targets faster.
Hazardous substances
System for safer chemicals expands from product to production
Our ground-breaking system for safer substances is expanded to also cover process chemicals. This protects the health and safety of workers, reduces environmental risk, and helps IT brands make informed choices on chemical use.
Sustainability data that you can trust
Enabling data-driven decision making and sustainability reporting
More than 40 new Sustainability Performance Indicators (SPIs) are added. All gathered data is verified by independent experts. This helps IT brands measure their sustainability progress and compare with peers.
Circular IT management
Extending the life of IT products and reducing e-waste
We help the IT industry move toward circular business models and credibly communicate sustainability benefits to purchasers. Criteria are aimed at extending the life of IT products, improving recyclability, and reducing e-waste.
Check out what’s new in each criteria area
These videos explain some of the news in TCO Certified, generation 9.
Product and sustainability information
We collect data to measure the impact of TCO Certified and the sustainability benefits of certified products. These sustainability performance indicators can be used in sustainability reporting or to set and follow up on goals.
Socially responsible manufacturing
We go further up in the supply chain to increase transparency and accountability, and drive improvements in areas such as working conditions, anti-corruption, hazardous substances and conflict minerals.
Environmentally responsible manufacturing
The brand owner must have an environmental and energy management system in place, allowing them to work systematically with continuous improvement. We also require that energy efficiency is measured in final assembly factories.
User health and safety
Products must be safe to use and should provide the user with the necessary function and comfort. In addition, an ergonomically designed IT product is better positioned to meet the user’s needs longer, making it a more sustainable choice.
Product performance
Product performance, user satisfaction and the shift toward a more circular approach to IT products are inter-connected. A well-designed product delivers the performance we need and is more likely to be used longer.
Product lifetime extension
The best way to begin taking a more circular approach to the production and consumption of IT products, is by extending their usable life. This means longer use, as well as reuse, which is also more resource efficient than remanufacturing and recycling.
Reduction of hazardous substances
We restrict the use of hazardous substances and drive a shift towards greater transparency and use of safer alternatives. Criteria go beyond RoHS and cover heavy metals, halogens, non-halogenated flame retardants and plasticizers.
Material recovery
Taking back used products and recovering their materials supports a more sustainable, circular approach to the product life cycle. To do so, products and their packaging must be designed in a way that enables reuse, remanufacturing and recycling.
Benchmarking functionality now available in TCO Certified Portal
The benchmarking system is now live and accessible in TCO Certified Portal for brand owners with certified products. The system is based on the more than 40 Sustainable Performance Indicators included in TCO Certified, generation 9.
This new function has the potential to assist brand owners to spot areas where they are performing well, or where they are falling behind the competition. It will also allow brand owners to track progress of certified products, and to benchmark SPI results against industry averages for certified products, both on a brand and product level.
Please contact Hannes Mäki Certification Developer and responsible for the benchmarking system with any questions.
Data is anonymous
You will only be able to view specific SPI data for certified products from your brand. All data from other brands are anonymous. No information can be traced to a specific brand or product model.
Documents
TCO Certified, generation 9
General documents and guidance
Comparison: TCO Certified, generation 8 vs generation 9
Comparison: TCO Certified, generation 9 edition 2 vs edition 3
Guidance: upgrading to TCO Certified, generation 9
Information document to end users
PCDC tool instructional videos and guidance
Price list
Visual ergonomics testing documents
TCO Certified edition changelog
TCO Certified Accepted Substance List
Templates
Self-assessment questionnaire
Application form
Battery estimation template
E-waste management template
Factory identification template
Post consumer recycled content template
Process chemical data collection (PCDC) tool – TCO Certified scope
Responsibly sourced minerals template
Supply chain identification template
Verifier submission templates
Climate Pledge Friendly submission template
