Skip to content 
TCO Certified
In brief
TCO Certified is an international sustainability certificate for IT products such as notebooks, monitors, smartphones, servers, and network technology. It is awarded by the Swedish organization TCO Development and covers environmental and social criteria across the entire life cycle, from manufacturing to reuse. Not to be confused with "TCO" in the sense of Total Cost of Ownership, the total cost of a device.
What TCO Certified examines
The criteria are developed further in generations. The current Generation 10 has been available since December 2024. It includes, among other things:
| Area | Examples |
|---|---|
| Climate | Energy efficiency, information on the product footprint |
| Circular economy | Durability, repairability, replaceable batteries, spare parts, data erasure for reuse |
| Supply chain | Working conditions in factories, responsible sourcing of raw materials |
| Chemicals | Restriction of hazardous substances |
Compliance is verified by independent testing bodies. Certified products are listed in a public database.
Significance for procurement and decommissioning
TCO Certified is a common criterion in public and private tenders for sustainable IT procurement. Devices designed for long use, repair, and reuse can often be refurbished and remarketed better at the end of their first use. A similar label is EPEAT. Why sustainability in IT is more than a trend can be read in the article Sustainability in IT. Second IT extends the use of decommissioned devices through erasure, repair, and remarketing.
Frequently asked questions about TCO Certified
What does TCO mean in TCO Certified?
TCO stands for the Swedish white-collar union Tjänstemännens Centralorganisation, from which the certificate emerged. It has nothing to do with Total Cost of Ownership.
For which products is there TCO Certified?
Among others for displays, notebooks, tablets, smartphones, desktops, all-in-one PCs, projectors, headsets, servers, network devices, and data storage.
How long is a certification valid?
Certificates are valid for one criteria generation and a defined period. Which models are currently certified is shown by the product database of TCO Development.
Who verifies compliance with TCO Certified?
Compliance with the criteria is verified by independent testing bodies. The certificate is awarded by the Swedish organization TCO Development. Certified products are listed in a public database in which you can look up current models.
Is TCO Certified a mandatory label?
No, it is a voluntary certificate. In public and private tenders, however, it is a common criterion for sustainable IT procurement. A similar label is EPEAT.
A second life for your IT – erased, tested, remarketed.
Send us your device list. You will receive your offer in 48 hours on average.