TCO Certified (Global Sustainability Certification for IT Products)
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
Generation 9 active
Overview
TCO Certified is the leading global sustainability certification for IT products, managed by TCO Development in Sweden. It goes beyond energy efficiency to cover hazardous substances, circular design, product lifespan, reparability, and responsible supply chain management throughout the product lifecycle. It serves as a key compliance and evaluation standard in corporate and public IT procurement globally.
Enforcement Timeline
December 2021: TCO Certified Generation 9 officially launched.
2024–2025: Stakeholder working groups held to draft and finalize Generation 10 criteria.
Business Impact
IT Hardware Manufacturers: Must implement circular design principles, verify component reparability, utilize certified halogen-free flame retardants, and submit supply chain CSR audit reports to obtain certification.
Subtier Suppliers: Indirectly affects manufacturers of semiconductors, battery cells, and chemicals, who must comply with restricted substance lists (such as the TCO Accepted Substance List) to sell into certified OEM supply chains.