For today’s IT industry, navigating an overwhelming chemical landscape requires more than just restrictions; it calls for a whole new way of evaluating and managing substances. Here, TCO Certified Accepted Substance List and its proactive approach – regarding substances as hazardous until proven otherwise – is already making a difference.
Stephen Fuller, chemical expert and creator of the list, explains how its most recent updates can help more industries across the world shift toward safer chemical use.
Taking chemical safety up the supply chain
The latest version of TCO Certified Accepted Substance List has expanded its criteria to cover the next level in the supply chain and include new chemical types and product parts. For instance, it now targets stabilizers, chemicals commonly used to increase plastic durability. Many stabilizers have traditionally relied on lead-based compounds, which pose serious environmental and health risks.
As stabilizers are used in many common plastic components, the new requirements can help make entire product categories safer. “Our current focus is on components such as cables, printed circuit boards, and enclosures,” says Stephen. “This means that the criteria can easily be applied to a broader range of products, such as televisions, freezers, or any other electrical product.”
Improving worker safety
The risks associated with hazardous substances are not limited to the final product. All too many manufacturing processes expose workers to significant amounts of harmful chemicals, often through direct, hands-on contact.
“Unfortunately, many substances that have long been restricted in Europe are still in use in Asian production lines,” says Stephen. “Workers are at extreme risk, especially without proper training and protective equipment. We see higher cancer risks due to this kind of chemical exposure.”
To address this, TCO Certified Accepted Substance List also covers process chemicals, such as cleaners and degreasers. In addition, workers must be provided with risk training and protective equipment.
Hazardous until proven otherwise
The need for safer chemical use in the IT industry is a pressing issue. Over 350,000 different substances are currently available for use, but only 1% are risk-assessed for their impact on human health and the environment.
So far, chemical risk management has mainly relied on regulations and restricted substance lists. The problem with this strategy is that it is reactive – banning hazardous substances only after harm has been done. In addition, it leads to so-called “regrettable substitutions”, swapping one harmful chemical for another that may be just as bad, or worse.
With TCO Certified this challenge is addressed via a uniquely proactive approach, with a focus on preventing risks from the start. Here, each substance is evaluated by an independent toxicologist. Unless found to be a safer alternative, it cannot be used in certified products and manufacturing processes.
As Stephen puts it: “Rather than assuming a chemical is safe until proven dangerous, our list regards all substances as hazardous until shown to be safer for both people and the environment.”
Real steps toward a worldwide shift
The influence of TCO Certified Accepted Substance List is already reaching beyond IT – a good sign that safer chemical management is becoming a priority across industries. Some U.S. states have managed to restrict harmful flame retardants, referring to the list to point out safer options.
By making the list publicly available and driving safer alternatives to hazardous substances, TCO Certified has the potential to raise chemical safety benchmarks across industries worldwide. The newly updated Roadmap for Sustainable IT outlines present and future efforts designed to take this transformation further.
TCO Certified supports IT buyers in making informed, responsible choices, while providing an incentive for manufacturers to move toward more sustainable processes. Our How to use page provides quick onboarding as well as step-by-step guidance for using TCO Certified.
