This is an old technical article and the information may be outdated. Please contact certification@tcodevelopment.com with any questions regarding the information in this article.
As TCO Certified includes a wide scope of criteria, we want to make the certification process as efficient as possible for you.
When applying for computer certification, here are some reminders for streamlining the process.
Do we have to do a full product test when we already have test reports?
In some cases, full product testing may not be required, when certain test reports from an ISO 17025 test facility show compliance with TCO Certified.
If the applicant can provide test reports showing compliance with criteria for energy consumption, noise or a Declarations of Identity (DOI) with an already tested model for the keyboard criteria (notebooks), then this testing does not need to be repeated. Note that all submitted test reports must be from a facility accredited to ISO 17025.
How to show compliance when additional product testing is not required:
1. Use pre-approved notebook panels
By selecting notebook panels from our pre-approved list, you will not even need to send a product sample for additional visual ergonomics testing. You will only need to send declarations for environmental, social responsibility, electrical safety and workload ergonomics compliance to the accredited verification facility. You will also need to submit the Information to End Users form.
2. Energy efficiency
Option 1- Provide a test report from an ISO 17025 accredited test facility.
Option 2- Test at a TCO Development accepted facility. Worst case test sample of highest energy consuming product configuration.
3. Noise (For products with fans, traditional hard disks or any moving parts.)
Option 1 – Provide a test report from an ISO 17025 accredited test facility.
Option 2 – Test at a TCO Development accepted facility. The configuration with the highest noise emission should be tested as a worst case sample.
4. Electrical Safety
Submit a CB certificate or national certificate from a CB member.
5. Keyboard Contrast
All keyboards must be tested for visual keyboard contrast, gloss and for keyboards larger than 12 inches, key resistance and displacement range. If the same keyboard is used in several notebook models, it only has to be tested once and Declarations of Identify (DOI) may be submitted for each subsequent model.
5. Visual ergonomics
Option 1 – Select a notebook panel from the TCO Certified pre-approved panel list. (no extra testing required)
Option 2 – Test one panel for each resolution and panel technology at a TCO Development accepted facility. DOI may be used for untested panels with the same resolution and technology used in the same notebook model to be certified. (note DOI may not be used if performance differs between panels)
When a full product test is required.
When existing independent test reports are not available, a full product test will be required.
How many test samples are required?
Normally one worst case configuration is needed but if the configurations differs too much the test facility will determine the number of worst case configurations to test.
Selecting a sample – “worst case” testing
The test facility will test a worst case configuration. All configurations under that model name will then be considered compliant, based on the worst case test report. For notebooks, worst case testing focuses on energy efficiency and noise.
