Focus area Substances
Hazardous substances in IT products — and how to avoid them
Hazardous substances used in IT products present a wide variety of risks. Throughout the life cycle, products may release dioxins, halogens and other toxicants, which can persist in the natural environment and the human body.
As legislation often lags behind, the only way to reduce risks is to collect information and scientifically assess substances before they are used.
Hazardous substances in IT products are part of a global issue that affects all industries. At the heart of the problem is a huge lack of information and knowledge about the hazard levels connected to the huge amounts of substances in circulation. More than 350,000 substances are available on the market, and only around 1% have been risk-assessed. Chemical pollutants can be found from the Arctic to Antarctica, and some of these substances are highly persistent in the environment. In 2022, researchers noted that the safe planetary boundary for pollutants, including plastics, has been exceeded. This situation poses a risk to the stability of natural systems on our planet.
The presence of hazardous substances in IT products is linked to various sustainability risks. These risks encompass a range of health issues, particularly for workers in factories and throughout the complex supply chain. Known health risks include hormone disruption, memory and attention disorders, obesity, fertility problems, and cancer. Additionally, environmental harm occurs when e-waste is not disposed of properly.
Legislation lags behind
Regulatory developments of substances lag far behind as it is a slow process compared to the fast-moving chemicals industry. Once a substance is found to be of high risk, restrictions are often regional and in countries where they are not yet banned, substances can continue to be used. Another big problem is unsafe substitutions — banned substances often are replaced with similar ones, that may pose the same or even greater risks.
A hindrance to circularity
Hazardous substances also hinder circular IT management. Contaminated materials cannot be responsibly recycled and reused in new products and risk being incinerated or discarded, adding to the enormous e-waste problem and the loss of valuable resources.
Substances in IT manufacturing
Flame retardants
Prevent products from catching fire.
Plasticizers
Make plastics in cables durable and flexible.
Stabilizers
Stop degradation and make materials more durable.
Process chemicals
Are used in manufacturing, e.g. to clean products.
Heavy metals
May be included in plastics, paints and components.
Assessing substances before use
Hazardous substances criteria have been part of TCO Certified since 1995. At first, we used the same strategy as everyone else and focused on banning substances known to be hazardous. However, due to the large majority of unknown substances on the market, this approach proved to be inefficient. Instead, we decided to consider all non-assessed substances a high risk until they have been scientifically tested and approved as safer alternatives.
With TCO Certified, information about each substance is gathered, including both public information and confidential information owned by the chemical manufacturer. An independent toxicologist then evaluates the substance’s potential impact on human health and the environment. If the substance is found to be a safer option, it is added to TCO Certified Accepted Substance List and can be used in certified products. The list is dynamic and can be updated based on new scientific findings. It is also publicly accessible, which can help accelerate the transition to safer alternatives across all industries.
Three ways of reducing risks
1. Include criteria for safer chemicals in procurement.
2. Use products longer to avoid unnecessary chemical consumption.
3. Ensure products are handled safely at end-of-life.
Three ways of reducing risks
1. Include criteria for safer chemicals in procurement.
2. Use products longer to avoid unnecessary chemical consumption.
3. Ensure products are handled safely at end-of-life.
What buyers and users can do
Safer substances is a complex field that requires both expertise and industry connections to navigate effectively. The chemical industry is fast-moving and often lacks transparency. Legislation lags far behind, primarily focusing on banning substances known to be hazardous while the hazard level of most available substances remains unclear and unrestricted. With thousands of chemicals currently available for commercial use, it becomes nearly impossible for purchasers to know what a product contains and reduce potential hazards.
As a buyer, the most important step you can take to avoid hazardous substances is to include clear requirements in procurement, by specifying TCO Certified, for example. Additionally, plan for longer procurement cycles and ensure that the products you source are used for their full lifespan. This approach helps minimize unnecessary consumption of hazardous substances and other resources. Once products have reached the end of their usable life, they should be safely recycled, to prevent harmful substances from leaking into the environment and harming human health.
TCO Certified helps you avoid risks
Criteria in TCO Certified are focused on improving chemical safety in both production and products. We gradually expand our criteria to cover new chemical types and product parts, focusing on those with high risk, and where our criteria can have the biggest impact. Step by step, we will cover more levels in the complex IT product supply chain, to ensure that many more harmful substances are replaced with safer alternatives.
To protect factory workers, we include process chemicals in our priority categories of chemicals and require that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), training and exposure monitoring are provided.
Purchasers can specify certified products with confidence, knowing that substances are verified as safer for workers and the environment. Safer chemicals also mean that products and materials are more recyclable.
Substances criteria in TCO Certified
Substances are risk-assessed by independent toxicologists, and safer alternatives are presented on the publicly available TCO Certified Accepted Substance List.
The issue we want to solve
With around 350,000 substances available on the market, it is impossible to assess them all. Once a substance is found to be of high risk, restrictions are often regional and in countries where they are not yet banned, substances can continue to be used. Another big problem is unsafe substitutions — banned substances often are replaced with similar ones, that may pose the same or even greater risks.
How the criterion works
We want to ensure that only safer alternatives replace known and unknown hazardous chemicals, whilst IT products continue to meet strict electrical safety standards. Therefore, we consider all non-assessed substances a high risk until they have been scientifically tested and approved as safer alternatives. Once verified by an independent toxicologist, substances are added to TCO Certified Accepted Substance List. This list is public and open to anyone and can be used to drive the use of safer substances across all industries.
Benefits for IT buyers and users
Buyers of certified products can avoid the risks of hazardous substances in the supply chains, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations while supporting safer and more sustainable IT products. The risk of toxic pollution and other environmental risks are reduced and recycling of more products and materials is made possible.
For more than 25 years, cadmium, mercury, halogenated flame retardants, lead and chromium have been banned from certified products and their packaging.
The issue we want to solve
IT products may contain hazardous substances that pose risks to human health, the environment, and worker safety. These substances also hinder safe recycling and circularity.
How the criterion works
For over 25 years, our restriction criteria have exceeded regulatory requirements, globally prohibiting cadmium, mercury, halogenated flame retardants, lead and chromium in certified products and their packaging.
Benefits for IT buyers and users
By specifically asking for certified products, you help remove toxic substances from the supply chain, resulting in safer products, easier recycling, and a reduced impact on both humans and the environment.
Flame retardants, plasticizers and stabilizers can only be used if they have been independently verified as safer alternatives, and placed on TCO Certified Accepted Substance List.
The issue we want to solve
Hazardous substances are used in IT manufacturing, posing risks to human health and the environment. Legislation lags behind and often leads to banned substances being replaced with alternatives that may be equally toxic, or even more harmful. To break this cycle, we must consider all substances a high risk until proven to be otherwise and show the industry that viable, safer alternatives are available.
How the criterion works
With TCO Certified, independent toxicologists evaluate a substance's potential impact on human health and the environment. Safer substances are added to the publicly available TCO Certified Accepted Substance List and can be used in the manufacturing of certified products. The list is dynamic and can be updated based on new scientific findings.
Benefits for IT buyers and users
Buyers of certified products can avoid the risks of hazardous substances in the supply chains, ensuring compliance with evolving regulations while supporting safer and more sustainable IT products. This reduces the risk of costly product recalls, enables easier recycling, and contributes to a healthier environment.
Cleaners and solvents used in manufacturing must be approved as safer and listed on TCO Certified Accepted Substance List. Workers must receive risk training and protective equipment.
The issue we want to solve
Highly toxic process chemicals used in IT manufacturing pose significant risks to workers and persist in the environment. Long-term exposure can cause serious health issues. To reduce the risks, we need to eliminate these hazards.
How the criterion works
Before cleaners and solvents can be used on production lines for certified products, they must be assessed as safer by independent toxicologists. Approved substances are added to the publicly available TCO Certified Accepted Substance List. To minimize exposure, we also require that workers receive thorough training on how to handle hazardous substances and get access to protective equipment.
Benefits for IT buyers and users
Buyers of certified products actively support safer supply chains and responsible chemical use. By including TCO Certified in procurement, you ensure that IT manufacturers must prioritize worker health and environmental protection.
We continuously gather information to find safer alternatives to additional high-risk chemical categories. Currently, IT brands must report their use of adhesives and lubricants in manufacturing.
The issue we want to solve
Highly toxic chemicals in IT manufacturing endanger workers and persist in the environment. To combat this, we must continually expand TCO Certified Accepted Substance List with new categories of substances and product parts.
How the criterion works
We’re currently preparing for the next steps in chemical safety by requiring that IT brands report their use of adhesives and lubricants in manufacturing. Going forward, we will guide manufacturers toward viable safer alternatives to ensure long-term protection for human health and the environment.
Benefits for IT buyers and users
By specifically asking for certified products, buyers actively support safer supply chains and responsible chemical use. Our certification drives manufacturers to prioritize worker health and environmental protection. By requiring the reporting and use of only proven safer alternatives, we show that a more sustainable industry built on chemical safety and transparency is possible.