TCO Certified, generation 11
– Launching in December 2027
Development of the next generation of TCO Certified is underway — and your expertise can help shape what comes next.
Get involved in the development process
TCO Certified is updated every three years to address the most pressing sustainability challenges connected to IT products. As we develop generation 11, we invite you to review the proposed criteria and verification methods, and share your feedback with us.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to explore the draft and contribute your insights. Your input is important, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Draft 2 is here — get to know the proposed changes
The second draft of TCO Certified, generation 11 is now available. Read the criteria documents and watch the video presentations, where our criteria developers walk you through the most important changes. You’re also welcome to join one of our Q&A sessions on 17 June.
We won’t go through the criteria in detail during the Q&A, so please explore the materials in advance. This will help us focus the session on your questions, feedback and areas where you need more clarity.
Step 1: Get to know the draft
Read the criteria documents and watch the video presentations.
Step 2: Send us your questions
Email us with your questions in advance so we can address them during the Q&A.
Post a question, by sending an email to martin.soderberg@tcodevelopment.com
Step 3: Join the Q&A session
Take part in the Q&A session on 17 June to discuss the proposed changes.
Watch the video presentations
Our criteria developers walk you through the proposed changes in Draft 2, chapter by chapter. Watch the videos to get familiar with the updates before joining the Q&A session, where we’ll focus on your questions and feedback.
New and updated criteria
Here’s an overview of the new and updated criteria in the draft of TCO Certified, generation 11. Compared with the previous generation, the criteria document has been restructured to align with our Roadmap for Sustainable IT, following its four key areas: climate, substances, circularity, and supply chain.
REMEMBER: THIS IS A DRAFT AND CRITERIA ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Climate
Reducing emissions from production
Scope 3 emission reductions beyond industry standards
IT brands must lower the annualized product carbon footprint for notebooks and displays. For noteboks, annual emissions must be 45 kg CO₂e/year or less, and for displays, it must be 72 kg CO₂e/year or less. These levels represent a reduction of around 30 percent compared with the market average for each product category. UPDATED!
Compensating for remaining emissions through carbon offsets
IT brands must compensate for at least 10% of the product’s scope 3 emissions through carbon credits. UPDATED!
Increasing the demand for renewable energy
To increase renewable energy production, IT brands must purchase renewable electricity equivalent to 30% of their consumption in final assembly and display panel factories. Purchases must be verified through accepted renewable electricity certificate systems. UPDATED!
Reducing energy use further into the supply chain
We go beyond final assembly and require that PCB mainboard factories implement an energy management system certified to ISO 50001. UPDATED!
Preparing to address energy-consumption hotspots
Final assembly factories, display panel factories and PCB mainboard factories must identify and report data for the three Significant Energy Uses (SEUs) with the highest estimated annual energy consumption. UPDATED!
Reducing emissions from use
6+ years of supported product lifetime
The IT brand must support products for at least six years (five years for peripherals) by providing free security and functionality updates, and ensuring that replacement batteries, critical spare parts and repair manuals are available. UPDATED!
Energy efficiency of products
Products must meet the latest energy efficiency standards of the EU Ecodesign Directive.
Improving the energy efficiency of power supplies
All power supplies offered with the product model and rated above 240 W must be at least 90% efficient at half load. UPDATED!
Substances
Improving safety in production
Only safer adhesives can be used
Adhesives is a new category on TCO Certified Accepted Substance List. Before adhesives for temporary bonding of parts can be used in final assembly factories, they must be tested and approved as safer by an independent toxicologist. UPDATED!
Safer cleaners in mainboard factories
Our criterion for safer cleaners used on production lines is expanded to include PCB mainboard factories. UPDATED!
Improving safety in products
Safer, PVC-free external cables
External cables supplied with the certified product must be free from all types of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). UPDATED!
Circularity
Ensuring that products are made for a long life
6+ years of supported product lifetime
The IT brand must support products for at least six years (five years for peripherals) by providing free security and functionality updates, and ensuring that replacement batteries, critical spare parts and repair manuals are available. UPDATED!
At least one year of warranty
A minimum one-year warranty must be included free of charge, with the option to extend coverage to at least five years (three years for peripherals). The cost of the extended warranty must not exceed 10% of the product price (MSRP) per year. For notebooks, one battery replacement must be included during the warranty period if the battery degrades to 60% State of Health or less. UPDATED!
Replacing critical components is made easier
Critical components must be replaceable by users. The IT brand must provide instructions on how to access and replace these parts.
Repairability index for mobile devices
A minimum repairability index (class D) indicates how easy it is to maintain and repair mobile devices, covering disassembly, spare parts, repair instructions and software updates. UPDATED!
The next step for standardized connectors
USB-C is established as the universal connector. Minimum performance levels are raised and applied to more product categories, reducing the number of cables needed and enabling broader charger reuse.
Promoting battery longevity
Mobile products must have battery information and protection software installed.
Creating circular flows of products and materials
Products must have digital product passports
The digital product passport must give users access to information that helps extend product life, such as warranty details, repair instructions, access to spare parts, and the product’s certification status directly retrieved from TCO Development. UPDATED!
The next step for recycled packaging
The amount of virgin plastics allowed in product packaging is reduced.
More recycled materials in products
Products must contain at least 5% post-consumer recycled materials. UPDATED!
Responsible e-waste management
All sold products must be covered by product take-back systems. The criterion also ensures a more sustainable approach to reuse and recycling. UPDATED!
Supply chain
Reduce environmental risks
Environmental management system
An environmental management system certified to ISO 14001 is required also for PCB mainboard factories. UPDATED!
Energy management system
An energy management system certified to ISO 50001 is required also for PCB mainboard factories. UPDATED!
Ensuring more responsible water use
IT brands must publish a supply chain policy for responsible water management and ensure it is shared with suppliers.
Identifying risks in water management
IT brands must have a due diligence process for water management that identifies risks and includes improvement measures across the supply chain.
Improve working conditions
Extending proactive work to PCB mainboard factories
The comprehensive system for active monitoring and follow-up of working conditions is extended to include PCB mainboard factories. UPDATED!
Health and safety management system
A health and safety management system certified to ISO 45001 is required also for PCB mainboard factories. UPDATED!
Responsibly sourced minerals
We are driving industry engagement to responsibly source 3TG and cobalt. At least 80% of smelters and refiners must be conformant with an accepted third-party due diligence program (e.g. RMAP).
Improving transparency in mineral sourcing
All smelters and refiners for 3TG and cobalt must be identified. The names and addresses of final assembly factories, and the names and locations of smelters and refiners must be made public. UPDATED!
Download documents
Below you’ll find the criteria documents for the first draft of TCO Certified, generation 11. Additional supporting documents are available here.
Share your views
We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the proposed criteria and verification methods. Download the document, add your comments, and email it to Martin Söderberg. You can also contact Martin to book a meeting with our developers in September 2026, to discuss topics that are especially relevant to you.
