Frequently Asked Questions about Dell and the Environment |
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| Q | Where can I find information on the environmental attributes of Dell's products? |
| A | We post Environmental Data Sheets for many of our desktop, laptop and server/storage products here. |
| Q | What is Dell doing to design more environmentally-friendly products? |
| A | Dell designs and engineers its products to prevent pollution and conserve natural resources throughout the system's life cycle. Dell's Design for Environment (DfE) program incorporates, at the product development stage, environmental attributes such as reduction of environmentally-sensitive materials, increased energy efficiency, extension of product life span and Design for Disassembly.
More information on Dell's DfE program may be found here. |
| Q | What are the environmental advantages of a flat-panel LCD? |
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- Flat panel displays are easier to recycle than CRTs - from the volume of the materials to dispose of to the kinds of materials to dispose of. CRTs contain about 2 pounds of lead while flat panels contain only several grams of lead.
- There are fewer packaging materials used to ship a flat panel.
- Flat panels have much lower electromagnetic wave emissions than CRTs.
- Energy savings - Flat panels use about 30 percent less power than CRTs and have a lower cooling cost.
- Workspace - Flat panels take up about 70 percent less desktop space than do CRTs.
- Freight cost - Because of their smaller size, it costs less to ship a flat panel.
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| Q | Are Dell's products certified according to any eco-label standards? |
| A | Yes, Dell certifies our OptiPlex product line according to industry standards such as TCO 99/03, Blue Angel and Energy Star. In addition, Dell provides TCO certified monitors and Blue Angel certified printers. Information regarding eco-label certification can be found on Dell's Environmental Datasheets.
Datasheets are located here. |
| Q | Does Dell use brominated flame retardants such as PBB and PBDE in their products? |
| A | Dell has restricted its suppliers' use of PBB or PBDE (including deca-BDE) due to concerns over the potential adverse environmental and health impacts of these compounds. Furthermore, brominated flame retardants are restricted in Dell desktop, laptop and server chassis plastic parts. Dell chassis enclosures are primarily made of PC+ABS or ABS plastic resins. Printed circuit boards typically contain brominated flame-retardants such as Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA). Dell is working with suppliers and organizations such as iNEMI and HDPUG to evaluate "halogen-free" flame retardants considering all aspects such as technical, environmental, health and fire safety. |
| Q | Do Dell systems emit any chemicals? |
| A | General data that Dell has obtained from studies of air emissions show that computer systems emit very small amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ozone and particulate matter during operation. These emissions originate from residual solvents, epoxies and plastic materials that make-up the system. We also broadly require that our suppliers either eliminate or minimize potentially hazardous materials from components supplied to Dell.
During operation, components may release emissions due to system heating, particularly in the first few weeks of operation. Industry data shows that while unpleasant odors may be occasionally produced, the emissions themselves ordinarily do not pose health risks. Dell performs a run-in test after assembly of a new system, in which functionality is verified, and this often serves to dissipate any such potential emissions. It is helpful, however, to maintain a ventilated environment where computer systems are installed.
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| A | A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is a document that provides information to the user on hazardous ingredients a product may contain, potential hazards, and the recommended methods to ensure safe use, as generally required of employers by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. |
| Q | Do any of Dell's products have MSDSs? |
| A | Yes. Dell provides Material Safety Data Sheets for its ink and toner products. To review the MSDSs for Dell's printer products click here.
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| Q | Has Dell established a policy describing it’s strategy towards the use of chemicals in Dell products? |
| Q | Does Dell have a list of substances that are banned or restricted for use in Dell products? |
| A | Yes.In 2002, Dell formalized a chemicals management process to minimize or eliminate the use of certain environmentally-sensitive substances in our products. Dell substance restrictions are based on
consideration for legal requirements, international treaties and conventions, environmental concerns and specific market requirements. For a listing of banned or restricted substances, please see the Dell Guidance Document on Restricted Materials:
http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/corporate/environ/restricted_materials_guid.pdf  .
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| A | On January 27, 2003, the European Union passed a directive commonly referred to as RoHS (usually pronounced “ross” or “rō’ hahs”) or “Restriction of Hazardous Substances” Directive that requires manufacturers of electronic goods to produce their products in such a manner as to restrict the content and amount of 6 hazardous substances – not just lead (i.e., “lead-free”). The State of California, Japan and the Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) have also enacted legislation that mirrors or very closely matches the EU RoHS directive. Dell understands the environmental risks associated with the substances covered by the RoHS Directive and is committed to eliminating or reducing the use of these, as well as other environmentally-sensitive substances, in our products. Through our integrated Chemicals Management Program, Dell restricts the use of cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, PBBs and PBDEs in Dell branded products (in accordance with regulatory requirements). |
| Q | When do RoHS and these other directives go into effect? |
| A | The EU RoHS directive and Japan RoHS regulation go into effect on July 1, 2006. The California legislation (SB50) becomes effective on January 1, 2007. The PRC legislation will become effective in March 1, 2007.
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| Q | How does Dell communicate our RoHS compliance plans to customers? |
| Q | Do Dell products contain azo dyes? |
| A | Dell prohibits the use of azo dyes in its products globally according to the standards set out in the European 2002/61/EC Directive.
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| Q | Do Dell products contain azo dyes? |
| A | Dell prohibits the use of azo dyes in its products globally according to the standards set out in the European 2002/61/EC Directive.
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| Q | Does Dell use CFCs during the manufacturing process and do Dell products contain CFCs? |
| A | Dell prohibits the use of ozone depleting substances (Class I & Class II CFCs and HCFCs) in manufacturing processes and product design.
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| A | In Japan, the Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources was revised in March 2006 to include RoHS-type requirements. The revised law requires manufacturers and importers, including Dell, to publish on-line disclosures on the use of RoHS substances in certain products sold after July 1, 2006. Dell will comply with these requirements by following the JIS standard (JIS C 0950), which is called “J-Moss.” J-Moss only applies to Personal computers (including their display units of CRT type or LCD type, excluding Precision workstations), Unit-type air conditioners (excluding package-type air conditioners), Television sets, Microwave ovens, Clothes driers, Electric refrigerators, Electric washing machines, and Copying machines. |
| Q | What does J-Moss require Dell to disclose? |
| Q | Are WEEE and RoHS the same thing? Are Dell products compliant with the EU WEEE requirements? |
| A | WEEE, or Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment, is a European directive addressing end-of-life treatment of products. The directive requires products to be labeled with the WEEE ‘wheelie-bin’ mark and to include printed customer information on WEEE. Dell is approaching this as a global directive – all products worldwide should have the WEEE label. Dell implemented both requirements of WEEE on or before the August 13, 2005 compliance deadline.
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| Q | What other responsibilities does Dell have in order to be WEEE compliant? |
| A | Each EU member state has individual requirements around WEEE. In general, and as applicable, Dell is required to register as a ‘producer’ with each member state and is also required to finance collection and recycling of waste equipment arising from sales of Dell products in that market. Dell is actively engaged in meeting each member state’s requirements.
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