TCO Certified has been around since the days when fax machines were more common than emails. We spoke to three of our longest-serving team members about how the view of sustainability has changed, major breakthroughs, and why they have chosen to remain with the organization all these years.
The objective of TCO Certified is to work across the globe toward a future where all IT products have a sustainable life cycle. Our international team is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, with colleagues working remotely on several continents around the world. In total, the team consists of almost 30 people. Martin Söderberg, Stephen Fuller and Annika Overödder are some of those who have been with the organization the longest.
Martin Söderberg, you joined the team as one of the first in 1997. What’s the biggest difference between now and then?
The difference is enormous. Honestly, it was a very chaotic workplace back then and it’s been amazing to be part of the change over the years. Applications were received by fax and there was no computerized application system. There was a lot of manual work and long working days, but we had a lot of fun.
Annika Overödder, how has TCO Certified developed over the years?
When I joined in 2002, TCO Certified focused mainly on ensuring that products were safe to use, had good user characteristics, used less energy and that the environmental impact was reduced. Since then, the scope has broadened and we cover the full product lifecycle. The criteria for supply chain responsibility and extended product use time drive the industry to move from linear to circular product handling. New product categories have also been added. The buyers I meet have a growing concern for sustainability issues and many buyers look for ways to use their procurement power to drive the IT industry in a more sustainable direction. TCO Certified is often a first-hand choice for conscious buyers looking for certifications to increase their leverage of impact on the industry.
Stephen Fuller, what do you think is our biggest achievement during the 15 years you’ve been part of the team?
I would say: creating a public list of safer alternative chemicals for use in products and during production. This has forced the normally secretive chemical industry to be transparent on the chemical formulations, and for IT manufacturers to include the human and environmental impacts of their choice of chemicals rather than only the chemical’s performance at the design phase. In this transparent way, we benefit all of society by making it clear that safer alternatives exist for a wide range of product categories, even those outside of TCO Certified’s scope. This is speeding up the transition to safer chemicals, and we are also showing governments what is possible so they can make safer chemicals mandatory by legislation rather than just an option.
Martin, what stands out to you?
Establishing our presence in Asia, I would think. In 2005, I moved from Sweden to Taiwan with my wife and daughter to open up our representative office here. Being located in this region makes it easier to have a close dialog with IT brands, and Taiwan became the obvious choice given that most of our license holders were Taiwanese and that it is relatively easy to reach other countries like China, Japan and Korea.
Finally, what has made you stay all these years?
Annika: I am committed to reducing the environmental and climate impact caused by the production and use of IT products and my role at TCO Development allows me to work toward this goal. I think that many of us sometimes feel overwhelmed by the global sustainability challenges we see today, but I strongly believe that everyone can play a part in reducing their environmental impact and inspire others to do the same.
Martin: Knowing that we are doing something good for the world is a big motivator for me. Also, working alongside intelligent and humorous colleagues makes (almost) every workday a pleasure.
Steve: We are at a critical point for the well-being of our planet. What we do now decides what type of planet our children will inherit. I want to make a difference and show the better way in the criteria I develop. TCO Certified is an organization that allows me to work toward achieving my goals in sustainability. I’m part of a team that’s making a difference both socially and environmentally in IT supply chains on a global scale. That’s a chance and reward that is hard to leave. We’ve succeeded in many of our goals, but I’m always looking forward to the next generation of TCO Certified, and the chance for us to achieve even more.
