IT brands can contribute input to the criteria development process, but they do not decide the criteria in TCO Certified.
The criteria are developed by TCO Development in an open and transparent process that includes a wide range of stakeholders, such as purchasers, researchers, NGOs, industry representatives, and other experts. Draft criteria are published for public review, and all interested parties are invited to provide feedback.
To ensure independence, the process is designed so that no single interest group can dominate decision-making. Final decisions are made by TCO Development, which evaluates all input and ensures that the criteria remain robust, balanced, and aligned with sustainability goals.
The development work is guided by the Roadmap for Sustainable IT, which outlines clear steps to drive progress in four key areas: climate, substances, circularity, and supply chain. The roadmap provides transparency on both current and future criteria, allowing IT brands, purchaser organizations, and other stakeholders to align with long-term goals.
This approach follows the principles of ISO 14024 (Type 1 ecolabels), which require transparency, stakeholder involvement, and protection against undue influence.