TCO 92 addressed the environmental labeling of displays. Certification required that the equipment meet very strict requirements for low electric and magnetic fields, while being energy efficient and meeting electrical and fire safety norms.

TCO proceeded one stage further with TCO 95. This standard addresses the complete personal computer, including the display and keyboard, and covers ecological and working environments.

"In order to apply for TCO 95 labeling, the applicant company must submit a written environmental policy document or similar document that proves the serious aim and principles followed by the company in environmental matters."

TCO 95 addresses four areas

• Ecology
• Energy
• Ergonomics
• Emissions

Basic ecological criteria

• Materials used to manufacture components
• By-products of the manufacturing processes
• Materials used to manufacture packaging materials
• Preparation for recycling of the computer, keyboard, and monitor

Compounds addressed by the ecological portion of TCO 95 include the following:

• CFC and HCFC compounds
• Chlorinated solvents and ozone-depleting chemicals
• Cadmium
• Mercury
• Flame retardants in plastic

Environmental criteria

• Written environmental policy
• Manufacturing processes
• Packaging
• Reclamation and recycling

Ergonomic, emission, energy efficiency, safety, and miscellaneous criteria

Monitor

• Legibility
• Image stability
• External disturbance - reflections, external alternating magnetic fields
• Emission characteristics - X-ray, electrostatic potential, alternating electric and magnetic fields, heat emission
• Energy consumption
• Electrical safety
• Adjustability characteristics - vertical, height, horizontal, contrast, luminance
• Physical design - Position of controls, dimension - depth, weight

Keyboard

• Usability - profile height, inclination angle, key pressure, feedback, key positioning, grouping of keys, alternative keyboard design, key shape
• Legibility - key cap and symbol size
• External disturbance factors - reflection sensitivity, friction against the surface, stability
• Emission characteristics - electrostatic discharge, alternating electrical fields, alternating magnetic fields
• Physical design - dimension, weight

Computer

• Physical design - position of controls, dimensions - height, width, depth, weight
• Emission characteristics - alternating electric fields, alternating magnetic fields, heat emission and energy consumption, A-weighted sound power level
• Electrical safety
• Miscellaneous - positioning possibility - horizontal, vertical, cables

Video adapter

• Legibility - luminance contrast, horizontal
• Image stability characteristics - flicker, jitter