2001D0686 — EN — 12.09.2001 — 000.001 — 1
This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents
►B COMMISSIONDECISION
of22August2001
establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Communityeco-label to personal compu-
ters
(notified under document number C(2001) 2584)
(TextwithEEArelevance)
(2001/686/EC)
(OJ L 242, 12.9.2001, p. 4)
Corrected by:
►C1Corrigendum, OJ L 334, 18.12.2001, p. 35 (2001/686/EC)
▼B
COMMISSIONDECISION
of22August2001
establishingtheecologicalcriteriafortheawardoftheCommunity
eco-label topersonalcomputers
(notified under document number C(2001) 2584)
(TextwithEEArelevance)
(2001/686/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on a revised Community
eco-label award scheme(1), and in particular Articles 3, 4 and 6
thereof,
Whereas:
(1)Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 provides that the
eco-label may be awarded to a product possessing characteristics
which enable it to contribute significantly to improvements inrelation to key environmental aspects.
(2)Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 provides thatspecific eco-label criteria shall be established according toproduct groups.
(3)Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 provides that thereview of the eco-label criteria as well as of the assessment and
verification requirements related to the criteria shall take place in
due time before the end of the period of validity of the criteriaspecified for eachproduct group and sh all result in a proposalfor prolongation, withdrawal or revision.
(4)By Decision 1999/205/EC(2) the Commission established ecolo-
gical criteria for the award of the Community eco-label topersonal computers, which, according to Article 3 thereof, expire
28 February 2002.
(5)It is appropriate to revise the definition of the product group and
the ecological criteria that were established by Decision 1999/205/EC in order to reflect the developments in the market.
(6)It is appropriate to adopt a new Commission Decision estab-lishing the specific ecological criteria for this product group,which will be valid for a period of three years.
(7)It is appropriate that, for a limited period of not more than 12months, both the new criteria established by this Decision and
the criteria previously established by Decision 1999/205/EC, are
valid concurrently, in order to allow sufficient time for compa-nies that have been awarded the eco-label for their productsprior to the adoption of this new Decision to adapt theseproducts to comply withth e new criteria.
(8)The measures set out in this Decision have been developed andadopted under the procedures for the setting of eco-label criteria
as laid down in Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000.
(9)The measures set out in this Decision are in accordance with the
opinion of the committee set up under Article 17 of Regulation(EC) No 1980/2000,2001D0686 — EN — 12.09.2001 — 000.001 — 2
(1) OJ L 237, 21.9.2000, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 70, 17.3.1999, p. 46.
▼B
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The product group ‘personal computers’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the
product group’) shall consist of:
personal computers: computers designed for use in a fixed loca-
tion, suchas on a desk, and consisting of asystem unit, keyboard, and display. This
also includes computers in which the
system unit and display are combined in asingle case;
system units: system units for use withpersonal compu-
ters;
displays: displays for use withpersonal computers;keyboards: keyboards for use withpersonal compu-
ters.
Article 2
The environmental performance of the product group as defined in
Article 1 shall be assessed by reference to the specific ecological
criteria set out in the Annex.
Article 3
The product group definition and the criteria for the product group
shall be valid for three years from the date on which this Decisiontakes effect. If revised ecological criteria have not been adopted beforethe end of this period, their validity shall be extended for a furtheryear.
The period of validity of the product group definition and the criteria
established by Decision 1999/205/EC shall be extended to expire 12
months after the date on which this Decision takes effect.
Article 4
For administrative purposes the code number assigned to the product
group shall be ‘013’.
Article 5
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.2001D0686 — EN — 12.09.2001 — 000.001 — 3
▼B
ANNEX
FRAMEWORK
In order to qualify for the eco-label, a personal computer, a system unit, a
display or a keyboard (hereinafter referred to as ‘the product’) must fall within
the product group as defined in Article 1, and must comply with the following
criteria in this Annex (each individual part may apply for the eco-label except
the mouse):
System unit Display KeyboardPersonal
computer
Energy savings: system unit X X
Energy savings: monitor X XLife-time extension: system unit X XLife-time extension: monitor X XMercury content of liquid crystal display
(LCD) monitorX (where
applicable)X (where
applicable)
Noise X XElectromagnetic emissions X X
Takeback and recycling X X (as
applicable)X (as
applicable)X (as
applicable)
User instructions X X X (as
applicable)X (as
applicable)
Environmental declaration X X X X
Tests shall be carried out on application as indicated in the criteria, and shall be
performed by laboratories that meet the general requirements expressed in stan-
dard EN ISO 17025. Where appropriate, other test methods may be used if their
equivalence is accepted by the competent body assessing the application. Where
no tests are mentioned, or are mentioned as being for use in verification or
monitoring, competent bodies should rely as appropriate on declarations and
documentation provided by the applicant and/or independent verifications.
These criteria aim in particular at promoting:
— the reduction of environmental damage or risks related to the use of energy
(global warming, acidification, depletion of non-renewable resources) by
reducing energy consumption,
— the reduction of environmental damage related to the use of natural
resources by encouraging the exchangeability of components, and the recycl-
ability and maintainability of the product,
— the reduction of environmental damage or risks related to the use of hazar-
dous substances by reducing the use of such substances.
The criteria encourage the implementation of best practice (optimal environ-
mental use) and enhance consumers' environmental awareness. Furthermore,
marking the plastic components encourages the recycling of the product.
The criteria are set at levels that promote the labelling of personal computers
that have a lower environmental impact.
The competent bodies are recommended to take into account the implementation
of recognised environmental management schemes, such as EMAS or ISO
14001, when assessing applications and monitoring compliance with the criteria
in this Annex. ( Note:it is not required to implement suchmanagement
schemes.)2001D0686 — EN — 12.09.2001 — 000.001 — 4
▼B
ECOLOGICALCRITERIA
1. ENERGY SAVINGS
Systemunit(a) The computer system unit shall meet the current Energy Star(
1) power
consumption requirements.
The applicant shall provide a report certifying that the level of power consump-
tion of the personal computer system unit has been measured using the
procedure in the current Energy Star computer memorandum of understanding.
The report shall state the measured power consumption.
(b) The computer shall support the ACPI(2) S3 sleep state (suspend to RAM) to
allow minimum energy consumptions below 5 watts. The computer shall be
able to wake up from this mode in response to a command from any of the
following:
— modem,
— network connection,— keyboard or mouse action.
The default mode-change time from operation to the ACPI S3 sleep state
shall be ≤30 minutes of inactivity. The manufacturer must enable this
feature, but the user may disable it.
The applicant shall provide a report certifying that the level of power consump-
tion in the ACPI S3 mode has been measured using the procedure in the current
Energy Star computer memorandum of understanding. The report shall state the
measured power consumption in this mode.
(c) The off-mode power consumption shall be no more than 2 watts. In this
context, the off-mode is the state initiated through the command to shut
down the computer.
The applicant shall provide a report certifying that the level of power consump-
tion in the off mode has been measured using the procedure in the current
Energy Star computer memorandum of understanding. The report shall state
the measured power consumption in this mode.
Monitor
(a) The monitor shall have a sleep(
3) mode power consumption of ≤10 watts.
The default mode-change time from operation to the sleep state shall be
≤15 minutes of inactivity. The manufacturer must enable this feature, but
the user may disable it.
(b) The monitor shall have a deep-sleep(4) mode power consumption of ≤5
watts. The default mode-change time from operation to the deep-sleep state
shall be 30 minutes of inactivity. The manufacturer must enable this feature,
but the user may disable it.
The applicant shall provide a report certifying that the level of power consump-
tion inbothofthese sleepmodeshave been measuredusing the procedureinthe
current Energy Star monitor memorandum of understanding. The report shall
state the measured power consumptions in both of these modes.
2. LIFETIME EXTENSION
Systemunit
(a) The manufacturer shall offer a commercial guarantee to ensure that the
personal computer system unit will function for at least three years. This
guarantee shall be valid from the date of delivery to the customer.
(b) The computer shall be designed so that the memory can be changed.
(c) The computer shall be designed so that the hard disk, and if available either
the CD drive or DVD drive, can be changed.
(d) A minimum of two sockets to allow direct connection of additional periph-
eral equipment suchas scanners and back-up devices must be provided.
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments.2001D0686 — EN — 12.09.2001 — 000.001 — 5
(1) As defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(2) Advanced configuration and power interface (ACPI).
(3) As defined by the current Energy Star definition of ‘first low power’ or ‘sleep’ mode.
(4) As defined by the current Energy Star definition of ‘second low power’ or ‘deep sleep’
mode.
▼B
Monitor
The manufacturer shall offer a commercial guarantee to ensure that the personal
computer monitor will function for at least three years. This guarantee shall be
valid from the date of delivery to the customer.
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments.
3. MERCURY CONTENT OF A LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD)
MONITOR
The background lighting of the LCD monitor shall not contain more than 3 mg
of mercury per lamp (on average)
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments.
4. NOISE
The ‘Declared Sound Power Level’ of the personal computer system unit,
according to paragraph3.2.5 of ISO 9296, sh all not exceed:
— 48 dB(A) in the idle operating mode;
— 55 dB(A) when accessing a disk drive.
The applicant shall provide a report certifying that the levels of noise emissions
have been measured in accordance with ISO 7779 and ISO 9296. The reportshall state the measured levels of noise emissions in both the idle operating
mode and when accessing a disk drive, and be declared in accordance with
paragraph 3.2.5 of ISO 9296.
5. ELECTROMAGNETIC EMISSIONS
The personal computer monitor shall meet the current maximum exposure limits
set in Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC of 12 July 1999 on the limitation
of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz)(
1).
The applicant shall provide a report which specifies the methods used to
measure the levels of electromagnetic emissions. The report shall show that the
personal computer monitor meets the current maximum exposure limits set in
Recommendation 1999/519/EC.
6. TAKE-BACK AND RECYCLING
The manufacturer shall offer free of charge the take-back for refurbishment or
recycling of the product, and for any component being replaced, except for
items contaminated by users (e.g. in medical or nuclear applications). In addi-
tion, the product shall meet the following criteria:
(a) one qualified person, alone, shall be able to dismantle it;
(b) the manufacturer shall check the disassembly of the product and provide a
disassembly report that shall be made available to third parties on request.
Amongst others, the report shall confirm that:
— connections are easy to find and accessible,
— connections are as standardised as possible,
— connections are accessible withcommonly available tools,
— the background lighting lamps of LCD monitors are easily separable;
(c) incompatible and hazardous materials shall be separable;
(d) 90 % of the plastic and metal materials in the housing and chassis shall be
technically recyclable;
(e) if labels are required, they shall be easily separable or inherent;
(f) plastic parts shall:
— have no lead or cadmium intentionally added,
— be of one polymer or compatible polymers, except for the cover, which
shall consist of no more than two types of polymers which are separable,
— contain no metal inlays that cannot be separated;
(g) plastic parts heavier than 25 grams shall:
— not contain the following flame retardants:2001D0686 — EN — 12.09.2001 — 000.001 — 6
(1) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999, p. 59.
▼B
Name Cas No
Decabromodiphenyl 13654-09-6monobromodiphenyl ether 101-55-3
dibromodiphenyl ether 2050-47-7
tribromodiphenyl ether 49690-94-0tetrabromodiphenyl ether 40088-47-9
pentabromodiphenyl ether 32534-81-9
hexabromodiphenyl ether 36483-60-0heptabromodiphenyl ether 68928-80-3
octabromodiphenyl ether 32536-52-0
nonabromodiphenyl ether 63936-56-1decabromodiphenyl ether 1163-19-5
►
C1Chloroparaffins with chain
length10-13 C atoms, ch lorine
content◄> 50 % by weight 85535-84-8,
— not contain flame retardant substances or preparations containing
substances, that are assigned or may be assigned any of the risk phrases
R45 (may cause cancer), R46 (may cause heritable genetic damage),
R50 (very toxic to aquatic organisms), R51 (toxic to aquatic organisms),
R52 (harmful to aquatic organisms), R53 (may cause long-term adverse
effects in the aquatic environment), R60 (may impair fertility) or R61
(may cause harm to the unborn child), as defined in Council Directive
67/548/EEC(1) and its subsequent amendments,
— have a permanent marking identifying the material, in conformity with
ISO 11469. Excluded from this criterion are extruded plastic materials
and the light-guide of flat panel displays;
(h) batteries shall not contain more than 0,0001 % of mercury, 0,001 % of
cadmium or 0,01 % of lead by weight of the battery.
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments. The applicant shall provide to the competent body assessing the
application a copy of the disassembly report.
7. USER INSTRUCTIONS
The product shall be sold with relevant user information, which provides advice
on its proper environmental use and, in particular:
1. recommendations for the use of the power management features, including
information that disabling these features can lead to higher consumption of
energy and thus can increase the running costs;
2. information that the energy drawn from the mains can be reduced to zero if
the computer is unplugged or if the wall socket is switched off;
3. information on the guarantee and the availability of spare parts. When it is
appropriate for the consumer to upgrade or exchange components, informa-
tion on the proper procedures shall be given;
4. information about the fact that the product has been designed to enable
proper reuse of parts and recycling and should not be thrown away;
5. advice on how the consumer can make use of the manufacturers take-back
offer;
6. information that the product has been awarded the EU eco-label with a brief
explanation as to what this means together with an indication that more infor-
mation on the eco-label can be found at the web-site address (http://
europa.eu.int/ecolabel).
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments, and hall provide a copy of the instruction manual to the competent
body assessing the application.2001D0686 — EN — 12.09.2001 — 000.001 — 7
(1) OJ 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1.
▼B
8. ENVIRONMENTAL DECLARATION
An environmental declaration shall accompany the product and shall be avail-
able to the user. This document shall be in conformity with the
recommendations of ECMA's Technical Report No 70 ‘Product-related environ-
mental attributes’.
9. INFORMATION APPEARING ON THE ECO-LABEL
Box 2 of the eco-label shall include the following text:
— low energy consumption,
— designed to facilitate recycling.2001D0686 — EN — 12.09.2001 — 000.001 — 8