Separate keyboards for computers / Advanced / December 2010
Scope
The following criteria apply to “separate keyboards for computers” included in the larger hardware product group.
Such keyboard can be wire connected (USB or else) or wireless (wifi or else).
1) Subject matter
Separate keyboard for computers produced with environmentally friendly materials and processes and produced in a socially responsible way.
1.1. The subject matter in the framework of the organizations policy.
“For <…..> (name of the public authority), the care for the environment and social aspects is important. It is stated in her <strategic policies>, <mission>, <vision>, <procurement policy>, …”
1.2. “Reserved contracts”
This category of contract is handled separately in Article 19 of Directive 2004/18/EC. This article permits the member states to “reserve” the right to participate in public contract award procedures. It includes contracts awarded to sheltered workshops or awarded in the context of sheltered employment programmes restricted to handicapped persons who cannot conduct professional activities under normal conditions. Paragraph 2 of Article 18a of the Law of 24 December 1993 has already taken a step in this direction by enabling, within the European thresholds, an identical strategy.
2) Exclusion criteria
2.1. Social aspects:
Buyers can take account of social aspects in there procurement. For more information about the different possibilities see:
3) Technical capacity
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4) Market information
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5) Technical specifications
For this product group there is, at present (januari 2011), just one eco-label available which forms the basis for formulating environmental compliance criteria. A list showing the criteria taken from the specifications document for this eco-label is given below. Buyers may include these criteria in the technical specifications of their own tender documents. Alternatively, they may give them a more optional character by incorporating them as awarding criteria in the tender, all this depending on the procedure that’s chosen.
In addition, the PODDO has divided a list (see below) into key criteria and other criteria. The first group is definitely recommended when ordering green and sustainable products in the case of public procurement contracts.
KEY-CRITERIA:
a) EU Legislation respect (Blaue Engel)
-The bidder must prove compliance with EU Directives 2002/95/EC(1) (also known as the RoHS - Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive) and 2002/96/EC(2) (also known as the WEEE - Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive or transposition to national law of the latest directive.
(1)Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Official Journal of the EU L 37, 13 February 2003).
“From 1st July 2006, member States shall ensure that new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market does not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium (VI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).”
(2)Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment, 27 January 2003
-EU Directive 2006/66/EC(1) and transposition to national law is observed.
(1)Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators and repealing Directive 91/157/EEC
b) Recyclability (and repair) design - general (Blaue Engel)
-For recycling and repair purposes, the design of the keyboard need to comply with following general criteria:
- Disassembly can be done by a single person; implying that an optional number of snap connections of the same joining direction may be assembled at a time but not always be disassembled if the re-entrant angle is < 90°. This requirement shall be considered not fulfilled if more than two snap connections must be separated at a time.
- Disassembly can be done with universal tools exclusively (general commercial tools).
Screwed connections between modules can be separated with no more than three tools.
Standardized and uniform connection elements facilitate disassembly. The less tools must be changed the easier is assembly and disassembly. A tool is characterized by the type of drive (e.g. cross recession) and the drive size (spanner size).
c) Recyclability (and Repair) design - Structure and Joining technique (Blaue Engel)
-Comply to following design criteria concerning structure and joining technique:
- Avoidance of non-separable connections (e.g. glued, welded) between different materials, unless they are technically required.
- Easily separable mechanical connections.
- Separable connections are easily traceable.
d) Recyclability - Plastic Material selection (Blaue Engel)
-Comply to following design criteria concerning plastic material selection:
- The percentage of “recyclates” in the total mass of plastics is at least 5%. The use of suitable “recyclates” particularly helps to preserve resources and is, to the extent available, specifically desired.
e) Recyclability - Plastic Material selection- Coating (Blaue Engel)
-Galvanic coatings are forbidden.
-The coating of plastic components has been limited to the minimum necessary and metallic coating of case parts has been avoided (exception might apply if technically necessary). Large-area layers of lacquer, vapor depositions and printings on plastic components require additional removal processes if recycling of the material is to be done thereafter. Reasons shall be given if metallic coatings are used. Laser-produced labels shall not be considered as printings. This requirement shall not apply to parts that have been reused, as can be proved.
f) Material requirements - Plastic - Prohibited substances (Blaue Engel)
-No substances may be added to the plastics as constituent parts classified according to Regulation (EC) No. 1272/2008(1) Annex VI table 3.2 as
- Carcinogenic according to Category 1, 2 or 3 (Carc.cat I, II or III) (=H350, H350i, H351)
- Mutagenic according to Category 1, 2 or 3 (Mut. Cat I, II or III) (=H340, H341)
- Repro-toxic according to Category1, 2, 3 (Repr. Cat I, II or III) (= H360D, H360F, H360FD, H360Fd, H360 Df, H361f, H361d, H361fd)
(For H phrases see Annex 2)
Exempted are process-related technologically unavoidable impurities.
(1)Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 relative to classification, labeling and packaging of substances and mixes, modifying and abrogating directives 67/548/CEE and 1999/45/CE and modifying Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.
(See link pages 1352 to 1355 set in Annexe 2 at the end of this card)
g) Material requirements - Plastic printed circuits boards - Prohibited substances (Blaue Engel)
-No PBBs (polybrominated biphenyls), PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) or chlorinated paraffins may be added to the base material of printed circuit boards.
h) Recyclability - Plastic Material selection (Blaue Engel)
-To reduce the multitude of plastic materials and to allow easier recycling coherence and sorting:
- The variety of materials forming plastic components > 25 g performing comparable functions is limited to one material. The smaller the number of materials, the more efficient are separation and recycling processes. This requirement shall not apply to parts that have been reused as can be proved.
- Plastic parts > 25 grams shall consist of a single polymer or polymer blend. A maximum of four different types of plastic may be used for these parts.
- Plastic casings may consist of two separable polymers or polymer blends at the most.
i) Material requirements - Plastic - Prohibited substances (Blaue Engel)
-For Plastics constitutive of Keyboards:
The following compounds are not permissible and may not be added to the plastic parts:
- Halogenated compounds (like amongst others chlorinated paraffins, fluoroorganics, etc) or polymers.
- Organic halogenated flame retardants like amongst others PBBs (polybrominated biphenyls) or PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers).
j) Material requirements - Plastic (Blaue Engel)
-Flame retardants used in plastic parts with a mass greater than 25 grams shall be indicated and identified by their CAS Number.
OTHER CRITERIA:
a) Recyclability (and Repair) design - Structure and Joining technique (Blaue Engel)
-Comply to following design criteria concerning structure and joining technique:
- All connection elements to be separated for recycling purposes are axially accessible.
- If connections to be separated are difficult to reach or only indirectly accessible disassembly becomes more strenuous. If radial-ly accessible, the separation of screwed connections, for example, is very time consuming.
- At least 50% of the separable connections between plastic components are plug/snap connections.
- The supporting surface can be maintained during the entire disassembly work.
- The purpose of this requirement is to indirectly check the unit for a hierarchical structure.
b) Recyclability (and Repair) design-Generality (Blaue Engel)
-Keyboards must be easily recyclable and repairable thus displaying a Recyclable Design. The manufacturer did a trial disassembly (according to all recyclability and repair criterion points of this specification card) and prepared a test report focusing on the weak-points.
c) Recyclability (and Repair) design - Structure and Joining technique (Blaue Engel)
-Comply to following design criteria concerning structure and joining technique:
- Components made of materials incompatible with each other are connected separately or via separation aids.
- Case parts are free from electronic modules.
Note: a control element attached to the case and case parts which simultaneously perform the functions of the chassis are not considered as case parts.
- Necessary points of application and working space for disassembly tools have been taken into consideration. A point of application is the point from where the impact is transferred from tool to connecting element. Sufficient working space is needed for the execution of the tool's separating movement. This requirement particularly refers to snap connections which, unlike during assembly, often require tools to be disconnected.
- Electric/Electronicmodules are easily traceable and removable.
d) Recyclability - Plastic Material selection (Blaue Engel)
-If possible:
Comply with following design criteria concerning plastic material selection:
- Components made of the same sort of plastics are dyed uniformly or compatibly.
Uniform dyeing of parts made of the same sort of plastics makes the introduction of material recycling cycles easier. Compatible dyeing stands for different shades of one color (e.g. grey and anthracite). If, in addition, different types of plastics have different colors, such "color code" would be useful for a safe type-specific separation of plastics. Integrated control elements shall be exempted from this requirement.
e) Material requirements - Plastic- Prohibited substances (Blaue Engel)
-The following compounds are not permissible and may not be added to the plastic parts:
- Dioxin and furan forming substance.
f) Recyclability - Plastic marking (Blaue Engel)
Plastic parts with a weight greater than 25 grams and a plane surface of at least 200 square millimeters must be permanently marked according to ISO 11469:2000(1), taking ISO 1043, Parts 1 - 4(2), into consideration
(1)Plastics – Generic identification and marking of plastic goods
(2)Plastics -Symbols and abbreviated terms
Part 1: Basic polymers and their special characteristics
Part 2: Fillers and reinforcing materials
Part 3: Plasticizers
Part 4: Flame retardants
g) Keyboard noise requirements (Blaue Engel)
-Keyboards of workstation computers shall be tested in accordance with Annex C.5 to EN ISO 7779:2001(1) (or equivalent test method) and the declared A-weighted sound-power level shall be indicated.
(1)Measurement of airborne noise emitted by information technology and telecommunications equipment.
Evidence:
The compliance with all the criteria mentioned above can be proved with the following label:
Blaue Engel
In case that the tendering company can present this label, any further proof is not necessary. Any other suitable evidence from a recognized body can also be used.
6) Awarding the contract:
Criteria --- For example --- / Weight1 / Price
Calculation (e.g.): Lowest offered price/ stated price x 0,60 / e.g. 60%
2 / Environmental criteria
(The public authority formulates the points it wants to assign to the below mentioned criteria )
Calculation (e.g.): Total scored points / maximum number of points x 0,35 / e.g. 35%
3 / … / e.g. 5 %
4 / … / e.g. ….
In above mentioned table, the weight of the environmental criteria shall be stated by the buyer in function of its particular procurement. Representatives of several sectors federations mention often to not underestimate this weight to give sustainability in the awarding phase a chance at all.
The environmental criteria in the above mentioned table concern the following issues: see point 5
7) Performance clauses:
7.1. Environmental aspects:
a) Guarantee of repairs (Blaue Engel)
-The applicant undertakes to see to it that spare parts supply and necessary infrastructure for equipment repair is secured for a period of at least 5 years after the end of production and that users are informed about the guaranteed availability of spare parts.
Parts to be replaced are those parts which typically have the potential to fail during the normal use of the product. In contrast, those parts whose life cycle usually exceeds the average usual life of the product need not be provisioned as spare parts.
b) Plastic packaging (Blaue Engel)
-Plastics used for product packaging may not contain halogen-containing polymers.
c) Modular performance (Blaue Engel)
-The unit shall have a modular design and allow the exchange of the modules by the user without the need of using special tools.
d) User information - Enviro-friendly (Blaue Engel)
-The printed product documentation supplied along with the devices (User Manual, Product Documents) shall be printed on chlorine-free bleached paper, preferably made out of recycled paper.
As long as a printed summary is separately included for installation purposes these product papers can also be made available on other media (CD, DVD, internet).
e) User information (Blaue Engel)
-Apart from the technical descriptions the product documentation shall also include essential environmental and health-related user information and shall be written in the country language(s).
The following essential user information shall additionally be summarized on a separate Information and Data Sheet:
- Battery types and battery take-back system
- Guarantee of repairs
- Product take-back
7.2. Social aspects:
Buyers can take account of social aspects in there procurement. For more information about the different possibilities see:
7.3. Ethical aspects:
“The tenderer undertakes, until the contract has been executed in full, to respect the 8 Basic Conventions of the ILO
By signing his tender, the tenderer undertakes to respect the standards defined in the Basic Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and, in particular:
- The prohibition of forced labour (C29 Forced Labour Convention, 1930, and C105 Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957);
- The right to freedom of association (C87 Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise, 1948);
- The right to organise and collective bargaining (C98 Right to Organise and Collective bargaining, 1949);
- The prohibition of any discrimination in terms of labour and remuneration (C100 Equal Remuneration, 1951 and C111 Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), 1958);
- The minimum age for child labour (C138 Minimum Age Convention, 1973), together with the prohibition of the worst forms of child labour (C182 Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999).
The non-respect of this undertaking may, by virtue of Article 20, §1, 4° of the general specifications annexed to the Royal Decree of 26 September 1996, give rise to the application of the official measures described in § 6 of the same article, including unilateral termination of the contract.”
References
[Information of the public authority that used these clauses in a procurement case]
This sheet is a product of the Federal Public Planning Service Sustainable Development,
Annex 1: R-PHRASES:
(R-phrases are mentioned on product labels and in product safety datasheets. It can be a useful tool for verification-procedures.)
R1: / Explosive when dry.R2: / Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R3: / Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition.
R4: / Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds.
R5: / Heating may cause an explosion.
R6: / Explosive with or without contact with air.
R7: / May cause fire.
R8: / Contact with combustible material may cause fire.
R9: / Explosive when mixed with combustible material.
R10: / Flammable
R11: / Highly flammable
R12: / Extremely flammable
R13 (obsolete): / Extremely flammable liquid gas
(ThisR-phrase is no longer designated by the version of the GefStoffV published on 26.10.93.)
R14: / Reacts violently with water.
R15: / Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gases.
Merck R15.1 / Contact with acid liberates extremely flammable gases.
R16: / Explosive when mixed with oxidizing substances.
R17: / Spontaneously flammable in air.
R18: / In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixture.
R19: / May form explosive peroxides.
R20: / Harmful by inhalation.
R21: / Harmful in contact with skin.
R22: / Harmful if swallowed.
R23: / Toxic by inhalation.
Riedel-de HaenR23K: / Also toxic by inhalation.
R24: / Toxic in contact with skin.
Riedel-de HaenR24K: / Also toxic in contact with skin.
R25: / Toxic if swallowed.
Riedel-de HaenR25K: / Also toxic if swallowed.
R26: / Very toxic by inhalation.
Riedel-de HaenR26K: / Also very toxic by inhalation.
R27: / Very toxic in contact with skin
Riedel-de HaenR27A: / Very toxic in contact with eyes.
Riedel-de HaenR27K: / Also very toxic in contact with skin.
Riedel-de HaenR27AK: / Also very toxic in contact with eyes.
R28: / Very toxic if swallowed.
Riedel-de HaenR28K: / Also very toxic if swallowed.
R29: / Contact with water liberates toxic gas.
R30: / Can become highly flammable in use.
R31: / Contact with acids liberates toxic gas.
Merck R31.1 / Contact with alkalies liberates toxic gas.
R32: / Contact with acids liberates very toxic gas.
R33: / Danger of cumulative effects.
R34: / Causes burns.
R35: / Causes severe burns.
R36: / Irritating to eyes.
Riedel-de HaenR36A: / Lacrimating
R37: / Irritating to respiratory system.
R38: / Irritating to skin.
R39: / Danger of very serious irreversible effects.
R40: / Possible risk of cancer.
CAUTION: Until 2001 this R-phrase was used for possible mutagenic or teratogenic risks as well. These risks are now labelled with R68!
R41: / Risk of serious damage to eyes.
R42: / May cause sensitization by inhalation.
R43: / May cause sensitization by skin contact.
R44: / Risk of explosion if heated under confinement.
R45: / May cause cancer.
R46: / May cause heritable genetic damage.
R47(obsolete): / May cause deformities.
(ThisR-phrase is no longer designated by the version of the GefStoffV published on 26.10.93.)
R48: / Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.
R49: / May cause cancer by inhalation.
R50: / Very toxic to aquatic organisms.
R51: / Toxic to aquatic organisms.
R52: / Harmful to aquatic organisms.
R53: / May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
R54: / Toxic to flora.
R55: / Toxic to fauna.
R56: / Toxic to soil organisms.
R57: / Toxic to bees.
R58: / May cause long-term adverse effects in the environment.
R59: / Dangerous for the ozone layer.
R60: / May impair fertility.
R61: / May cause harm to the unborn child.
R62: / Possible risk of impaired fertility.
R63: / Possible risk of harm to the unborn child.
R64: / May cause harm to breastfed babies.
R65: / Harmful: may cause lung damage if swallowed.
R66: / Repeated exposure may cause skin dryness or cracking.
R67: / Vapours may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
R68: / Possible risks of irreversible effects.
COMBINATIONS OF R-PHRASES: