Samsung Galaxy S4 first to achieve sustainability certification for smartphones

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone is the first to achieve internationally recognized requirements for environmental design and socially responsible manufacturing. As the largest manufacturer of smartphones worldwide, Samsung is the first major brand to achieve the TCO Certified Smartphones product certification.

The new certification was launched by TCO Development, an independent organization with over twenty years experience of sustainability certifications for IT products. Criteria in TCO Certified Smartphones are developed from a life cycle perspective, including requirements for socially responsible manufacturing, health/safety and the reduction of hazardous materials. Product compliance is verified by an independent, accredited third party.

”We’re really pleased to see a smartphone available on the market that meets the requirements in TCO Certified Smartphones”, comments Sören Enholm, CEO of TCO Development

The goal of TCO Certified Smartphones is to place higher sustainability demands on smartphones and make it easier for smartphone buyers to choose sustainably designed devices.

Buyer demand for certified, responsibly manufactured devices can have a powerful effect on how smartphones are made. ”Samsung’s choosing TCO Certified Smartphones is one example of a leading worldwide brand paying close attention to what consumers want”, adds Niclas Rydell, Director of Product Certifications at TCO Development.

TCO Development is already talking with other leading smartphone brands about certifying their products. Sören Enholm comments “While it’s great to see a leading brand like Samsung choose TCO Certified, it ‘s vital that other responsible brands also certify their smartphones and do their part to advance mobile products towards a more sustainable future.