by Brianna Crandall — March 5, 2018 — Buyers of audiovisual (AV) equipment will now have an easier time to make more sustainable choices, as global technology provider Epson is the latest to achieve the TCO Certified designation, for 45 of their professional projector models.
TCO Certified
TCO Certified is a leading sustainability certification worldwide for IT products founded over 25 years ago. Certified products are independently verified to meet comprehensive environmental and social criteria throughout their life cycle. The certification covers eight product categories including displays, notebooks, tablets and projectors. For projectors, criteria for high image quality are also included.
Niclas Rydell, director at TCO Development, stated:
There should be no compromise between sustainability and product performance. A high-quality display image is vital for projectors. It can influence productivity and extend the usable life of a product which also creates sustainability benefits.
The demand for more sustainable IT products is growing, notes TCO Development. A recent study by information technology (IT) infrastructure supplier Atea shows that 74 percent of the IT buyers in the Nordic region consider sustainability as a very high or fairly high priority issue. TCO Development has driven progress within this field since 1992, with more than 2,800 product models currently certified. With Epson now joining Casio in certifying projectors, purchasers demanding more sustainable AV products have a lot more to choose from.
Rydell continued:
With TCO Certified, brand owners must implement socially responsible working conditions in the factories where certified products are made and are held accountable for correcting any non-conformities. Buyers can be confident that positive change will follow in the supply chain.
Epson
Epson’s commitment to TCO Certified is part of a strategy aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of the company’s products and working proactively to protect human rights.
Epson gained TCO certification for 45 of its professional projector models. Image courtesy TCO Certified
Epson points out that all core technologies built into the projectors, including LCD panels and lamps, are designed and manufactured by the company itself, which enables Epson to ensure every component part is produced to the highest standards of social, environmental and corporate responsibility.
Henning Ohlsson, director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Epson, commented:
We are delighted that our projector display products are now designated with TCO Certified. Epson’s commitment to achieving the highest quality standards for its products means we manage much of our manufacturing in-house, making it easier to control working practices across the whole manufacturing cycle, from production to delivery. Added to this, we strive to design compact, energy-efficient products that minimize impact on the environment without diminishing performance.
Recognizing that the Earth’s carrying capacity is limited and believing that everyone must share responsibility for reducing environmental impacts, Epson is aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% across the lifecycle of all products and services by the year 2050.
Epson projectors and the environment
Epson display products have been designed to reduce a business’s environmental footprint and minimize power consumption both when projecting images and when idle. The technology includes an energy-efficient basic design and power-saving options on the ECO menu and, when the projector is idle, the Ultra-Low Brightness mode reduces power consumption when the unit is not projecting.
When projecting, the newly developed Light Optimiser function automatically adjusts lamp brightness based on the projected image. Power consumption is reduced by as much as 27% when projecting dark images, and all Epson projectors are equipped with ECO mode which is designed to extend the life of the lamp and reduce power consumption by over a quarter during projection.
Epson points out that electronics is widely recognized as a risk category for human rights violations during manufacture, which is almost impossible for buyers to assess themselves. Long used by IT purchasers for computer equipment, TCO Certified is an essential means for AV buyers to verify that the projectors they buy are manufactured under fair conditions. By specifying TCO Certified in purchasing contracts, they can also directly influence industry to improve their social and environmental responsibility track records.
Epson social responsibility in manufacturing
Epson manages its manufacturing processes in-house, making it easier to control working practices and promote high standards of social responsibility in the manufacturing process. Epson suppliers must also abide by the strict criteria of Epson’s “Code of Conduct” and are checked on a regular basis, and any necessary improvements must be implemented immediately, says the company.
Epson says it adheres to and exceeds standards established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) 1, including prohibiting the use of child labor and ensuring a minimum employment age. Epson exceeds ILO standards by insisting on a minimum working age of 18 years old (the ILO benchmark is 16) in all its factories, and ensures that every employee has a contract with regulated working hours including overtime opportunities. Epson also pays well above average wages.
For more about Epson projectors and display products, or to search for TCO Certified products, visit the respective Web sites.
