The issue we want to solve

IT factories are often located in countries where labor laws are weak or not properly enforced. Many workers experience difficulties and injustices, such as forced labor, lack of freedom of association, health and safety risks, and the inability to earn a living wage without agreeing to excessive overtime. IT manufacturing is also linked to severe environmental issues, such as climate change, resource overuse, pollution and waste generation.

How the criterion works

Factories are regularly audited and categorized by risk on TCO Certified Accepted Factory List. Those that proactively engage in sustainability efforts and consistently meet TCO Certified criteria are placed in a low-risk category. In contrast, factories that have ongoing sustainability issues are assigned a higher risk category and are monitored more frequently. If significant problems are not resolved within a specified timeframe, the factory will be removed from TCO Certified Accepted Factory List and will no longer be allowed to manufacture certified products. The list is available to IT brands, allowing them to prioritize responsible suppliers. As a result, this system creates a strong incentive for factories to adopt sustainable practices.

Benefits for IT buyers and users

Specifying TCO Certified in procurement helps you access IT products that are responsibly made. It means that your IT investments contribute to fairer, more responsible supply chains with less negative impact on people and the environment.