– Step-by-step guide for brands
Four steps to getting your products certified
It’s a straightforward and credible way of demonstrating a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. Once all documents and the product sample have been sent to the verifier, the certification process generally takes three to five weeks. And remember, if you have questions, we are always here to help.
Step 1: prepare
REVIEW CRITERIA
Review relevant criteria for your product category.
Several criteria are common to all products, while others are product-specific. Make sure to be familiar with the criteria and verification methods relevant to your product.
MEET WITH US
Book an introductory meeting with TCO Development, online or in person.
If you’re applying for the first time, a meeting with our certification team will help introduce you to TCO Certified and the certification process. Contact our certification team to set it up.
SIGN AGREEMENT
Prior to certifying your products, sign an agreement with TCO Development.
If you’re a first time customer, you need to sign an agreement with TCO Development before applying for certification. Contact us for details.
CONTACT VERIFIER
Contact one of the verifiers approved by TCO Development. They carry out product testing and verify conformity with the criteria.
Every application requires three verification steps: Product testing, environmental declarations and compliance with socially responsible manufacturing criteria.
Step 2: test and verify
PRODUCT TESTING
Send a sample of your product for testing.
Send a representative product sample to an approved verification organization for testing of its ergonomic qualities, emissions and energy saving function. Separate test fees will apply. Please check with the verifier for details.
ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTATION
Send the environmental documentation to the approved verifier for independent review.
Fill out the environmental documentation including a description of the product and the environmental management system, use of hazardous substances and material resource efficiency and send it to the approved verifier. Each criterion includes information about which documentation is required.
SOCIAL DOCUMENTATION
Send social responsibility documentation to the verifier for independent review.
Fill in the documentation for all social responsibility criteria and send to the verifier. Each criterion includes information about which documentation is required. Social declarations are sent annually and reviewed by the approved verifier. These include code of conduct, list of final assembly factories, a factory audit report, corrective action plans, self assessment and conflict minerals reporting template.
RECEIVE REPORTS
Once the reports and the documentation have been verified, the verifier will send the approvals to you.
They will send the test reports, the environmental and social approvals and a verification of conformity (VOC), where the verifier confirms that the product meets all the criteria in TCO Certified.
Step 3: apply for TCO Certified
APPLICATION
The verifier will, on your demand, upload the application together with all necessary documentation to TCO Certified Portal. Our staff will then carry out a final check to ensure that the application is complete.
Step 4: your product is certified!
PROMOTE YOUR CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
Congratulations! The product is now certified, and you have taken the next step in social and environmental responsibility.
Using TCO Certified helps you reduce environmental and social risk connected to your IT products and their manufacture, and allows you to communicate about product sustainability in a credible way.
You will receive a certificate (as a PDF file), and all certified products will be listed in our Product Finder. We encourage you to use the TCO Certified brand in your communications related to certified products. For guidance, check our brand book.
Need help getting started?
Would you like us to explain the certification process in more detail? Our certification team is always here to help. Answers to many of the most commonly asked questions are also presented in our FAQ.
