Samsung First to Achieve Sustainability Certification for Smartphones

Samsung First to Achieve Sustainability Certification for Smartphones

STOCKHOLM, May 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

    Samsung's flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone is the first to achieve internationally
recognized requirements for environmental design
[http://tcodevelopment.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s4-first-to-achieve-sustainability-certification-for-smartphones ]
and socially responsible manufacturing. As the largest manufacturer
of smartphones worldwide, Samsung is the first major brand to achieve the TCO Certified
Smartphones [http://tcodevelopment.com/tco-certified/product-areas/smartphones ] product
certification.

    (Logo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120910/559379-a )

    (Photo:
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130521/613794 )

    The new certification was recently launched by TCO Development
[http://tcodevelopment.com ], an independent organization with over twenty years experience
of sustainability certifications for IT products. Criteria in TCO Certified Smartphones
[http://tcodevelopment.com/tco-certified/product-areas/smartphones ] are developed from a
life cycle perspective, including requirements for socially responsible manufacturing
pratices, the reduction of hazardous material content and health/safety. Compliance with
all criteria is verified by an independent, accredited third party.

    "We're really pleased to see a smartphone available on the market that meets the
requirements in TCO Certified Smartphones", comments Soren Enholm, CEO of TCO Development

    The goal of TCO Certified Smartphones is to place higher sustainability demands on
smartphones and make it easier for smartphone buyers to choose sustainably designed
devices.

    The fact that smartphone buyers want certified, responsisbly produced devices has a
direct effect on how smartphones are manufactured. Buyers have influence in how these
products are made.

    "Samsung's choosing TCO Certified Smartphones is one example of a leading brand paying
close attention to what consumers want", adds Niclas Rydell, Director, Product
Certifications at TCO Development.

    TCO Development is already talking with other smartphone brands about certifying their
products. Soren Enholm comments "While we're pleased that we have a certified product,
it's vital that other responsible brands certify their smartphones and do their part to
advance mobile products towards a more sustainable future.

    Learn more about TCO Certified Smartphones
[http://tcodevelopment.com/tco-certified/product-areas/smartphones ]

    About TCO Development

    TCO Development advances sustainable IT is the organisation behind TCO Certified, the
third party sustainability certification for IT products. Professional IT purchasers
worldwide choose TCO Certified products as part of their sustainable IT strategy. Products
achieving TCO Certified meet a broad series of criteria to ensure that manufacturing, use
and recycling is carried out with consideration for environmental, social and economic
responsibility. TCO Certified is available for displays, notebooks, tablets, smartphones,
desktops, all-in-one PCs, projectors and headsets. TCO Development is headquartered in
Stockholm, Sweden, with regional presence in North America and Asia.

    Contacts:

    TCO Development

       
        Press - Anna Pramborg
        +46-8-7829346
        Europe-Niclas Rydell
        +46-8-7829271

       
        USA - Clare Hobby
        +1-310-8018769

       
        Asia - Martin Soderberg
        +886-2-66038802

    Photo:
    http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120910/559379-a

    http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130521/613794

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120910/559379-a
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130521/613794
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
TCO Development