The TCO Certified certification was initially created by the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) to guarantee that computer products purchased by employers maintain ecological standards and were sufficiently ergonomic to prevent long term health issues for users. It became known during the 1990s as a certification for computer displays. Dating back to 1992, TCO is one of the oldest certifications for end user electronics.
14-806: In the early 1980s, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO), a worker's union, foresaw that computers would become an important work utility and sought to establish ergonomic and radiation standards for computer displays to protect their members from health issues by daily use. Back then, the increasing use of computers and monitors in white collar work environments caused widespread complaints from employees experiencing visual fatigue and visual stress during after-work hours (also called "VDU sickness") due to extensive use of visual display units. In fact, early generations of computer displays were frequently related to eye strains and headache due to flickering, jitter and radiation. In 1986, TCO published
28-425: A basic list of requirements and test protocols to verify if a display was fit for continuous daily use as a help for employers to choose the right hardware for work places. The test became an early success and was translated into multiple languages and used also by unions in other countries to push for a more ergonomic work environment. The success of the display checklist resulted in the foundation of TCO Certified,
42-423: A basic list of requirements and test protocols to verify if a display was fit for continuous daily use as a help for employers to choose the right hardware for work places. The test became an early success and was translated into multiple languages and used also by unions in other countries to push for a more ergonomic work environment. The success of the display checklist resulted in the foundation of TCO Certified,
56-517: A million by 1965. Union density in Sweden has been at one of the highest levels in the world, peaking around 85% in the mid-1980s, but since declining to around 70% in 2015. In general, the decline in union density in Sweden has been faster among blue-collar workers and slower among white-collar workers (TCO's base of membership). Between 1990 and 2015, the rate of unionisation of white-collar workers fell from 80.5% to 72%, but for blue-collar workers,
70-522: A spin-off by the TCO Union headed by Per Erik Boivie and Peter Magnusson, among others, with the goal of creating an international certification and standards to be implemented directly by manufacturers. Starting with TCO'92 in 1992, the TCO certification minimum standards for emissions, jittering and electronic safety for computer monitors . Later on, the standards into other product categories such as peripherals and
84-424: A spin-off by the TCO Union headed by Per Erik Boivie and Peter Magnusson, among others, with the goal of creating an international certification and standards to be implemented directly by manufacturers. Starting with TCO'92 in 1992, the TCO certification minimum standards for emissions, jittering and electronic safety for computer monitors . Later on, the standards into other product categories such as peripherals and
98-458: Is a national trade union centre , the umbrella organisation for 12 trade unions in Sweden that organise professional and other qualified employees in both the private and the public sectors . The affiliated trade unions represent about 1.2 million employees. In 2018, the TCO affiliated unions made up 37% of all active trade union members in Sweden (up from 17% in 1950), making the confederation
112-608: Is available for office IT products: displays, notebooks, tablets, smartphones, desktops, all-in-one PCs, projectors, headsets, and data center products: network equipment, data storage products and servers. Certified products must meet comprehensive environmental and social criteria throughout the life cycle. For instance, factories where certified products are made must follow criteria on working hours, working environment and wages. Products must meet criteria for energy efficiency, ergonomic design and limited hazardous substance content. TCO Certified The TCO Certified certification
126-627: The computer itself. TCO publishes new guidelines every 3 to 4 years. The standards expanded from covering only computer monitors in 1992 to a wide array of devices today. TCO Certified is available for the following products: displays, notebooks, tablets, smartphones, desktops, all-in-one PCs, projectors, headsets, and data center products: network equipment, data storage products and servers. Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees The Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees ( Swedish : Tjänstemännens Centralorganisation , TCO, literary White-collar workers' Central Organisation )
140-743: The early 1980s, the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO), a worker's union, foresaw that computers would become an important work utility and sought to establish ergonomic and radiation standards for computer displays to protect their members from health issues by daily use. Back then, the increasing use of computers and monitors in white collar work environments caused widespread complaints from employees experiencing visual fatigue and visual stress during after-work hours (also called "VDU sickness") due to extensive use of visual display units. In fact, early generations of computer displays were frequently related to eye strains and headache due to flickering, jitter and radiation. In 1986, TCO published
154-461: The fall was from 82% to 63%. Members (active) (active) (2016 active members) The Forest and Agricultural Service Union merged with Unionen on 1 June 2019. TCO owns the non-profit organisation TCO Development. TCO Development owns and develops the international sustainability certification TCO Certified . TCO Certified is a sustainability certification for IT products in offices and data centers worldwide. TCO Certified
SECTION 10
#1732876283399168-722: The second largest of Sweden's three major confederations. The largest TCO affiliate is Unionen with 551,000 active members in 2018. TCO is independent and not affiliated to any political party in Sweden. TCO is an affiliate of the European Trade Union Confederation and Eurocadres . TCO is the product of two confederations that merged in 1944. The older organisation was the Confederation of Employees ( Swedish : De Anställdas Centralorganisation or DACO) founded in 1931 by seven private sector white collar unions representing 20,000 workers. The second organisation
182-419: Was initially created by the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) to guarantee that computer products purchased by employers maintain ecological standards and were sufficiently ergonomic to prevent long term health issues for users. It became known during the 1990s as a certification for computer displays. Dating back to 1992, TCO is one of the oldest certifications for end user electronics. In
196-528: Was the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees ( Swedish : Tjänstemännens Centralorganisation TCO) which was founded in January 1937 by eight public sector unions representing 38,000 workers. The two confederations merged in 1944, adopting the name TCO, bringing together 40 trade unions representing 180,000. After World War II membership in the affiliated unions grew rapidly to more than half
#398601