Our daily lives are already influenced by technology, but its production, use, and disposal, as with any product, have a negative impact on the environment.
The demand for sustainable and circular technological products has increased as consumers become increasingly aware of the importance of responsible consumption and purchasing.
In response to this increasing demand, many companies are adopting a green philosophy. This involves opting for sustainable design and production, and seeking certifications and seals of approval to prove their commitment.
The TCO certification called “Generation 9” is available
The interest in sustainability in the technology sector has increased, according to TCO Certified, the world’s leading sustainability certification in the IT products industry.
So much so that the organization has recently launched a new update, called “Generation 9”, of the sustainability criteria required for technology products that aspire to this certification.
In addition to product information, socially responsible and environmentally friendly manufacturing practices, and product life extension, TCO Certified covers a wide range of criteria, including user safety, hazardous substance reduction, and material recovery.
Generation 9, the most recent update to these criteria, includes 40 brand-new Sustainability Performance Indicators (SPIs), promoting environmental sustainability in the supply chain, promoting safer chemicals, and promoting more circular solutions as well as enhanced consumer transparency.
The certification applies to 11 different product categories, mostly IT and office technology items, and certified products must meet the criteria established for each category.
There are more than 1,000 technology products that are certified
In the time since Generation 9 was launched, more than 1,000 products, including monitors, laptops, tablets, headsets, and servers, have been certified according to these criteria.
These criteria extend beyond the legislative requirements, and to ensure unequivocal compliance, certified products are subject to continuous verification both prior to certification and during their validity period.
In spite of these strict criteria, many products have already received this seal and, according to TCO Certified, the IT industry’s interest in sustainable products is growing rapidly.
It is clear from this trend that the technology sector is increasingly committed to sustainability and circularity. This is also driven by a growing number of environmentally conscious consumers who are more aware of the impact of their purchases on the environment.
By obtaining this certification, consumers are able to choose sustainable products instead of those that are potentially polluting or not environmentally friendly.
«It’s fantastic to see progress accelerating and more brands taking responsibility and joining us on the journey towards our vision where all IT products have a sustainable life cycle. With more certified products, it becomes easier for purchasers to make better choices, which we also see more and more purchasers wanting to do», said Sören Enholm, CEO of TCO Development, which manages TCO Certified.
Technology that uses fewer resources to achieve increased efficiency
It is no longer possible to use pollution-causing technologies that are designed to be prone to planned obsolescence or to prevent their repair or re-use.
The importance of choosing technology that is designed so that its entire life cycle, from design and production through use and disposal, is environmentally friendly. This is because it uses the least amount of raw materials possible to prevent natural resource depletion.
A sustainable technology product is energy efficient, has replaceable components, and is made of more durable materials. This allows it to extend its useful life to the maximum degree.
In conclusion, we believe the record increase in sustainable technology products registered with TCO Certified is a positive development. This will now make it easier and more transparent for consumers to select safe, durable, and sustainable technology products.
