Articles
Comparing Fairphone and TCO Certified is slightly misleading
It's a positive development to see initiatives on the market that aim to make the IT industry more sustainable. The product certification TCO Certified and the manufacturer Fairphone both offer the possibility of choosing smartphones that take social and environmental aspects into consideration. However, the report that compares Fairphone side-by-side to TCO Certified Smartphones is somewhat misleading.
Chemical tax on products misses the mark
Economic measures are an effective way to drive change, for example reducing the content of hazardous substances in our products and environment. Sweden’s government is currently considering a proposal to introduce a tax on certain consumer products, including electronics, that contain potentially hazardous chemicals.
A new approach to the phase-out of hazardous substances
One of the major changes proposed in the new generation TCO Certified is a fresh approach to reducing hazardous substance content in computers, displays and other electronic devices. Moving away from focusing on banned substances alone, the draft proposes the addition of an Accepted Substances List, specifying substances that have been evaluated and declared as safer alternatives.
Global E-waste reaches record high, says new UN Report
In a new report released by the United Nations University, global electronic waste has reached record high levels. 41.8 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2014, fuelling concerns about the growing risks to public health, resource conservation and the environment.
New Strategy for Phasing out Hazardous Chemicals
One of the major changes in the new generation TCO Certified criteria set is a new approach to reducing hazardous substance content in computers, displays and other electronic devices.
Sweden – a paradigm shift in public purchasing
Following last year’s general election, Sweden’ s new government is exploring strategic ways to increase the focus on sustainability public purchasing.
Bank’s Successful Model for Sustainable IT Purchasing
Swedbank’s values-based, risk assessment approach to IT purchasing led to choice of TCO Certified as sustainability criteria in their purchase of 10 000 notebook computers.
IT industry has the ability to phase out hazardous substances
Chemsec, The International Chemical Secretariat, has withdrawn from the EU-Commission working group charged with updating the banned substances list in RoHS. It’s unfortunate that the working group has lost Chemsec as a member, as they have been instrumental in presenting concrete solutions to phasing out well-known hazardous substances contained in electronic
Curved displays – what you need to know
Curved displays are widely talked about as the next big thing in display and TV technology. Most major brands are now offering products featuring a curved display – whether desktop displays for work or gaming, as well as TVs and public signage products.
TCO Certified now part of German federal procurement criteria
TCO Certified, announced a new cooperation with the Office for Procurement of the German Ministry of the Interior (Beschaffungsamt des Bundesministerium des Innern, BeschA). TCO Certified is set to become part of the newly established code of conduct, agreed to by the BeschA and the electronics industry group BITKOM, another step toward more sustainable procurement of IT products.
How to create a Sustainable IT strategy that delivers results
Is your organization’s sustainable IT strategy helping you achieve the outcomes you want? Maybe you’ve just started working with sustainable IT or don't have any strategy at all! Either way, a structured plan with measurable goals is essential in helping you reach your sustainability targets with the help of IT.
Buyers driving IT brands to more responsible electronics
Electronics and IT products are largely manufactured under tough working conditions in price-pressed supply chains. These pressurized conditions have led to excessive overtime, unsafe working environments and other negative outcomes for workers. As some brands show progress toward more responsible practices, it is vital that organizations buying IT products use tools such as the new EU Public Purchasing Directive to continue the drive toward more sustainable manufacturing of electronics.
Smartphones and tablets – purchasers and procurers can make a more sustainable choice
More buyers of smartphones and tablets should make sure they’re asking the major device brands for devices that are sustainably sustainably designed and made. Niclas Rydell of sustainability certification organization TCO Development believes this buyer influence is critical is turning the tide of mounting environmental and social challenges associated with our increased use of mobile computing products.
Third Party Certifications join forces to challenge public sector
In a first of its kind collaboration, a group of third party environmental and sustainability certifications have joined forces to challenge the public sector to become more socially and environmentally responsible in their purchasing practices. The initiative coincides with the publication of EU’s expanded directive for public purchasing. The new directive expands opportunities to include environmental and social aspects when using public funds to buy goods and services. In EU, public purchasing accounts for around 200 billion Euro annually.
Report–TCO Development sees progress and remaining hotspots in socially responsible manufacturing among IT brands
A new report from TCO Development reveals some progress but also persistent problems among 17 major IT hardware brands working to comply with new socially responsible manufacturing requirements. The State of Socially Responsible Manufacturing
The State of Socially Responsible Manufacturing in the IT Industry
Increasingly, IT-using organizations are looking for computer products that are environmentally preferable and made under socially responsible conditions. Yet, shorter product cycles and growing demand for new technologies puts increasing pressure on industry and its complex supply chain to deliver new devices faster and at a lower cost. The result is often inadequate working conditions in electronics manufacturing, including long working hours, low wages and a lack of health and safety measures. The problem is widespread and well publicized through media and NGO monitoring.
EU States to use TCO Certified to make socially and environmentally responsible IT product choices
Earlier this year the EU Parliament adopted a new public procurement directive. The directive makes it easier for purchasing contracts – including those for IT products - to include requirements for social and environmental responsibility from electronics manufacturers. Member countries have until 2016 to implement the new directive.
New Energy Star 6.0 for energy efficiency in computers now in effect.
On June 2, 2014 the new Energy Star 6.0 for computers for energy efficiency came into effect. Like TCO Certified, Energy Star updates requirements regularly in line with new technologies and user demands. This update will also be included in relevant TCO Certified criteria. So if you purchase a TCO Certified notebook, display, desktop or all-in-one PC you can be assured that it also is verified to meet the latest Energy Star requirements as well as all TCO Certified sustainability criteria. Buyers should make sure to request the latest version of TCO Certified in purchasing specifications.
Report – increasing Post Consumer Recycled Plastics in IT products
Almost all IT products contain plastics. But, the use of new or “virgin oil” plastics is connected to a number of sustainability problems, including Co2 emissions, high resource use in manufacturing and the threat of hazardous petrochemicals affecting human health and the natural environment. Today only about 10% of plastics from durable goods is recycled, further adding to these threats and the global e-waste crisis. A new background report from TCO Development calls for an increase in the use of post consumer recycled plastics in IT products.
Sustainability Certification Raises the Bar for Recycled Content in IT Products.
In a step forward for sustainable IT, product certification organization TCO Development announces the first products to meet a new certification for computer displays containing a minimum of 85% post consumer recycled plastics.
EU Public procurement to look beyond lowest price as deciding factor
Price will no longer be the key driver in determining what public purchasers buy in the EU, following the passing of new directives this week in the European Parliament. Municipalities and agencies throughout the region will now be able to freely add environmental and social requirements to their purchasing specifications.
Tablets and smartphones – shorter product cycles raise sustainability risks
Upgrading your smartphone or tablet to the latest device model is tempting; they’re typically cheaper than a computer and new features are constantly competing for our attention. Current figures show that users are switching up their mobile devices at record rates.
Renowned sustainability opinion leader Anders Wijkman joins board of TCO Development
Anders Wijkman, internationally recognized author and thought leader in the field of sustainable development, has been appointed to the board of TCO Development. Wijkman brings over 30 years of leadership in humanitarian and sustainability issues from previous roles as member of the EU- and Swedish parliaments as well as Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations.
Sustainability certification a catalyst for IT industry progress in socially responsible manufacturing
STOCKHOLM, September 4, 2013. According to recent figures from TCO Development, products from 15 major brands of displays, computers and other devices have now fulfilled new criteria for socially responsible manufacturing required by the TCO Certified sustainability certification for IT products.