– Criteria overview

Criteria designed for driving sustainable development

TCO Certified is the tool of choice for any IT brand wanting to build a leadership position in their approach to sustainability and IT products. Criteria are comprehensive and cover both environmental and social responsibility in the supply chain and throughout the IT product life cycle.

Driving change where it matters most

A new generation of new and updated criteria is developed every third year, to drive incremental change and push sustainability where it matters most. Criteria areas include hazardous substances, circularity, socially responsible manufacturing, environmentally responsible manufacturing, and much more.

Fair competition world-wide

TCO Certified can be used globally and criteria are harmonized worldwide, which is easier and more efficient for both purchasers and the IT industry. All criteria apply globally and certified products must meet all criteria for its product category. Compliance is always independently verified. This promotes fair competition in procurements, and helps you credibly communicate specific sustainability benefits to purchasers

Science-based and open development process

The criteria in TCO Certified are science-based and are developed in an open process with our international network of stakeholders that includes users, buyers, brands, manufacturers, NGOs, researchers and subject matter experts. TCO Certified is classified as a Type 1 Ecolabel and our processes and verification meet the requirements in ISO 14024. TCO Development is impartial during the verification process.

Criteria overview

* Criteria are specific to each product category

Product and sustainability information

Verified product claims in 40+ areas enable data-driven decision making and sustainability reporting.

Information to end users

Users must be given access to information about TCO Certified and what the certification includes.

Product specification

Product specifications must be provided and conform to the actual design of the product.

Sustainable performance indicators

More than 40+ sustainable performance indicators are evaluated including data on recycled materials, replaceable components and PCF availabilty.

Socially responsible manufacturing

Criteria protect the health and safety of workers throughout the supply chain, from mineral sourcing to final assembly.

Supply chain responsibility

Code of conduct compliance and corrective actions independently verified, covering labor and health & safety laws in the country of manufacture, ILO’s core conventions and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Supply chain transparency

Major sub-suppliers must be declared. The brand owner must appoint a Senior Management Representative (SMR) with the authority to ensure that certified products meet criteria on socially responsible manufacturing.

Anti-bribery management system

The brand owner must have a anti-bribery management system that meets the requirements of ISO 37001.

Responsibly sourced minerals

Independent verification of due diligence all the way to the source of the minerals.

Process chemicals management

Process chemicals must be independently assessed as safer before being used.

Environmentally responsible manufacturing

Measuring the environmental impact and requiring continuous improvements.

Environmental management system

Final assembly factories must meet must be certified in accordance with ISO 14001.

Energy efficiency indicators

Energy efficiency in manufacturing must be reported annually.

Energy management system

Final assembly factories must be certified in accordance with ISO 50001.

Post-consumer recycled content

Percentage of post-consumer recycled content and renewable materials must be declared.

Product carbon footprint

The method for determining the product’s carbon footprint is evaluated.

User health and safety*

Protecting the health and safety for users to avoid risks and enable a long product lifespan, which adds several sustainability benefits.

Electrical safety

Electrical insulation and other arrangements must be in place to prevent the user from touching live components.

SAR measurements

Reduced SAR values to minimize electromagnetic energy absorption into human tissue.

Acoustic noise

Limited acoustic noise levels for user comfort.

Acoustic impulse test

Protection against high sound levels and sound spikes.

Alternating electric and magnetic fields

Reduction of electromagnetic fields.

Vertical tilt and height

It must be possible to tilt the computer display.

Individual adjustment and adaptation

Headsets must be adjustable and adaptable for user comfort.

Product performance*

Balancing product performance with energy efficiency for user satisfaction, extended product lifespan and reduced climate impact.

Energy efficiency

The product must be energy efficient and meet the requirements of Energy Star® or equivalent.

Energy efficiency — external power supply

The external power supply must meet at least the International Efficiency Protocol requirement for level VI.

Display resolution, color, luminance, contrast

The product must meet a number of criteria on image quality.

Keyboard gloss

The keyboard must not reflect ambient light in a way that influences visual comfort negatively.

Easily accessible connectors

At least one USB port must be placed on the front of the desktop computer.

Sound quality test, volume control

Information on the sound quality of a headset is collected. The volume must be possible to control in an efficient way.

Product lifetime extension*

Enabling circular solutions by requiring that products are durable, built to last, upgradeable and repairable.

Product warranty

At least one year’s product warranty must be included. The brand owner is incentivized to offer longer warranty periods.

Replaceable components

Key replacement parts and service manuals must be available.

Standardized connectors

The product must have standardized connectors for charging and data transfer.

Product durability

The product must be durable and withstand drop tests, and high and low temperatures.

Battery longevity and replaceability

The battery must maintain good quality through many charging cycles and be replaceable.

Battery information and protection

Software that prolong battery life and monitor battery health must be included.

Secure data removal

Software that removes data from the product must be available, free of charge.

Standardized external power supply compatibility

The product must have standardized connectors for wired and wireless charging.

Cable flexing

Cables must withstand pull and flex tests without breaking.

Prolonged lifetime of consumables

Cartridges and containers included in imaging equipment must not be intentionally designed in a way that makes reusing/remanufacturing more difficult.

Reduction of hazardous substances*

Restricting the use of hazardous substances and developing pathways to safer substitutions.

Heavy metals

The product must not contain cadmium, mercury, lead and hexavalent chromium.

Halogens

The use of halogens is restricted.

Non-halogenated substances

Substances must be independently assessed as safer alternatives before use.

Plasticizers

Substances must be independently assessed as safer alternatives before use.

Hazardous substances in product packaging

Packaging materials must not contain lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium or organically bound halogens.

Material recovery

Promoting the reuse and recovery of materials to save natural resources and reduce hazardous waste.

Product packaging

Non-reusable packaging materials must be easily separable.

E-waste management

The brand owner must declare which take-back schemes and recycling facilities they use today.

Material coding of plastics

Plastic parts of >25 grams must be material coded.

TCO Certified, generation 10 is published!

Here’s what you need to know to get your products certified ahead of the launch.

Now covering all IT product categories

Our new general criteria document can potentially be used for all IT product categories.

You might be interested in: