Our Criteria
This is a brief overview of the criteria in TCO Certified. For complete criteria specifications by product, search our criteria documents.
Socially responsible manufacturing
- Brands are required to take responsibility for working conditions in production, including labour laws in the manufacturing country
- Manufacturer must follow ILO core conventions and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
Detailed information about the social responsibility requirements in TCO Certified can be found on our social responsibility overview page.
Environmental management system
- Manufacturer must be certified according to either ISO 14001 or EMAS
Hazardous substances in products and packaging
Zero or low use of:
- Cadmium, mercury, lead and hexavalent chromium
- Halogenated flame retardants, beyond RoHS requirements
- Bromine and chlorine in plastics
Climate, energy efficiency
- Energy efficiency of product and power supply
- Latest Energy Star compliance for relevant products
Ergonomics, work environment
- Good visual ergonomics in products with a display, including criteria for resolution, brightness, contrast and color performance (displays, notebooks, tablets)
- Adjustability for user comfort (displays, headsets)
- Acoustic performance: protection against sound spikes (headsets) and fan noise (projectors, computers)
- Ergonomically designed keyboard (notebooks)
- Product supplied with a headset (smartphones)
Health, safety and emissions
- Electrical safety
- Minimal electro-magnetic emissions
- Minimization of contact allergens (smartphones)
Products and packaging designed for recycling
- Material coding of plastics for easy recycling
- Limit on the number of different plastic materials used in the product
- All packaging must be prepared for recycling
Product Lifetime, Take Back
Manufacturer is required to:
- Provide at least a one year warranty for the product
- Ensure the availability of spare parts for at least three years following the final production of that model
- Provide product take back services
TCO Certified Edge
TCO Certified Edge is a supplemental certification for innovative products with characteristics at the forefront of environmental design or social responsibility. Every TCO Certified Edge product meets all the requirements in TCO Certified for its product category and at least one of the additional TCO Certified Edge criteria, which include:
- Minimum of 65% post consumer recycled plastic
- Halogen free. The product and included peripherals contain no chlorine and bromine
- Outdoor readability (Notebooks)
- Enhanced Acoustic limiting
TCO Certified Edge makes it easy to select products with a best in class sustainability profile.
Third Party Testing
- All certified product models have been tested in an independent test facility, accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025 and approved by TCO Development
- All environmental and CSR documentation is independently verified by a third party
