Smartphones are the latest products to be certified, allowing buyers to choose devices based on environmental and social criteria.
TCO Development, which certifies IT products worldwide, is adding smartphones to the list. With their PC-like power and functionality and worldwide annual sales growth around 50%, smartphones are the fastest growing IT product. An estimated one billion smartphones will be sold during 2014.
But this explosive growth also brings with it sustainability challenges such as hazardous substances, a rapid replacement rate, e-waste and sub-standard working conditions in factories.
There is a need for greater responsibility in how we design, manufacture and use these products as well as handle them at their end of life.
The certification will focus on driving greater social responsibility into manufacturing smartphones as well as reducing their impact on the environment and human health. Examples of criteria include manufacturer commitment to international labor conventions, reduction of hazardous substances such as heavy metals, beryllium, nickel and phthalates, as well as energy efficiency and ergonomic design.
Much of the criteria is the same for any IT product, but some are specific to smartphones, including:
- All surfaces that come into human contact must be nickel-free
- It must come with a headset – for user comfort and safety from electromagnetic radiation
- Minimization of phthalate content – a human health and environmental risk
- Free from beryllium – a category 1 carcinogen
- Batteries must not contain lead, cadmium and mercury, and must be easily replaceable to prolong the life of the smartphone.
Brands will be able to certify their smartphones starting in mid-May.
Sweden-based TCO has thus far certified displays, notebooks, tablets, desktops, all-in-one PCs, projectors and headsets.
The certification is used mostly by big corporate and public sector buyers that have sustainable procurement objectives.
Here’s their website:
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