– Communication guidance

Speaking and writing about TCO Certified

This guide helps you ensure consistent, clear and accurate communication of what the TCO Certified brand stands for. Use of the TCO Certified brand requires that the integrity and independence of the certification is maintained in all communications.

How to describe TCO Certified

Use these texts when you want to explain what TCO Certified is.

TCO Certified is a global sustainability certification for IT products. It includes both social and environmental aspects and helps purchasing organizations and the IT industry address the most important sustainability challenges connected to electronics, such as climate, circularity, hazardous substances, and supply chain responsibility. All criteria are mandatory and compliance with all criteria is independently verified by accredited experts.

When you describe the certified product

  • This product is certified according to TCO Certified
  • This product carries the TCO Certified designation

When you describe why you use TCO Certified

  • We use TCO Certified to manage environmental and social risk connected to IT products
  • We use TCO Certified to meet key sustainability goals
  • We contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by using TCO Certified in purchasing

When you describe the criteria

The comprehensive criteria cover both environmental and social responsibility in the supply chain and throughout the product life cycle. Criteria areas include:

  • Product and sustainability information
  • Socially responsible manufacturing
  • Environmentally responsible manufacturing
  • User health and safety
  • Product performance
  • Product lifetime extension
  • Reduction of hazardous substances
  • Material recovery

Correct terminology

When mentioning or describing TCO Certified, correct use of the brand is important to maintaining accuracy and consistency. Below you’ll find acceptable and non-acceptable claims when speaking about TCO Certified.

TCO Certified is the name of the brand

The brand name TCO Certified must be used in its entirety.

  • This product is certified according to TCO Certified
  • This product carries the TCO Certified designation