Certifications
Toughbook® mobile computers are designed to meet and exceed a variety of standards for performance, durability and environmental impact. Assuring compliance with many standards requires substantial resources at Panasonic research and development, testing, and quality assurance facilities. This section explains some of the major standards that every Toughbook computer is expected to exceed.
Military Standards (MIL-STD)
Toughbook fully-rugged computers and the ultra-mobile-rugged Toughbook U1 are MIL-STD-810F-certified for drops, shocks, altitude, vibration, dust, liquid and extreme temperature resistance. Fully-rugged models are certified for MIL-STD-461E electromagnetic interference and compatibility.
Panasonic engineers continually work to ensure that Toughbook® products can withstand hard knocks and harsh conditions every day—and over the long term. Toughbook computers include many features that make them more durable and longer-lasting than conventional computers. They range from magnesium alloy cases and shock-mounted hard drives found on all Toughbook computers to the covered ports and fanless design that make fully-rugged Toughbook computers one of the most reliable in the industry.
MIL-STD-810G
Fully-rugged Panasonic laptops and Toughbook U1 are the first computers to be MIL-STD-810G certified for
a range of extreme conditions including 72″ drops1, shocks, vibration, humidity, altitude, rain-, dust- and sand-resistance, temperature extremes and thermal shock. Each of the twenty MIL-STD-810G tests conducted have been certified by independent lab testing. MIL-STD-810G, which was created in October 2008, supersedes MIL-STD-810F.
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MIL-STD-810F
Panasonic laptops are tested using the MIL-STD-810F methodology for a range of extreme conditions including drops (up to 72″, unit and hard drive), shocks, vibration, humidity, altitude, water-, rain- and dust-resistance, temperature extremes and thermal shock. Each of the eleven MIL-STD tests conducted are certified by independent lab testing.
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MIL-STD-461E
Fully-rugged Toughbook models are also tested to the MIL-STD-461E standard methodology for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in Panasonic’s R&D facility in Japan and certified by a third party. The certification ensures that Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers are electromagnetically compatible with other nearby electronic equipment. Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers do not generate unwanted electromagnetic energy that could interfere with the operation of other equipment, nor are susceptible to the effects of unwanted electromagnetic energy from equipment in the same vicinity.
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Ingress Protection (IP65)
Toughbook fully-rugged and ultra-mobile-rugged computers are IP65* certified for protection against dust and water. Fully-rugged and ultra-mobile-rugged Toughbook® mobile computers are rated IP65* according to the IP code defined in the international standard IEC 60529. The products are tested and certified by an independent test lab facility located in the United States. Rather than vaguely describing equipment as “waterproof” or “dustproof”, the IP Code uniformly quantifies various levels of resistance to liquids, particulates and solid objects. The numbers following the letters “IP” represent the specific degree of protection provided by electrical enclosures. The first digit (6) indicates the ingress of dust at a level that will not have a harmful effect on the operation of the unit. The second digit (5) indicates that water sprayed from all directions will not compromise the computer’s functioning. Higher numbers indicate a higher tolerance to dust and water. For example, a unit with an IP65 certification will withstand both elements better than a unit with an IP54 certification. While IP65-certified Toughbook computers are not completely impervious to the ingress of water or dust, the rating does indicate neither element will cause operational complications while used under conditions commonly encountered by Toughbook mobile computers.
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Underwriters Laboratories
Operating a computer can be dangerous in potentially explosive environments. Toughbook mobile computers comply with UL 1604 (Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I, Division 2, Groups, A, B, C and D) by delivering safe, reliable mobile computing solutions for spark-free use. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) tests products for public safety and has developed more than 1,000 “Standards for Safety”.
UL 1604 certification allows products to be used in potentially explosive environments found in oil and gas, petrochemical, aviation and other industries. Fully-rugged and ultra-mobile-rugged Toughbook® mobile computers can be configured to provide safe, reliable mobile computing solutions for spark-free use. UL 1604-approved versions of fully-rugged Toughbook models are available for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C and D environments. These are defined as places where flammable gases, vapors and liquids are present during abnormal or accident conditions.
ENERGY STAR Compliance
Panasonic is one of more than 7,000 ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. ENERGY STAR-compliant Toughbook mobile computers use advanced circuitry that consumes 81 percent less energy than conventional circuitry. ENERGY STAR, a joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, offers voluntary certification for products that are energy efficient. The ENERGY STAR program sets high standards designed to save energy, save money and help protect the environment for future generations. Panasonic is one of more than 7,000 organizations that have become ENERGY STAR partners, all working to improve the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. Panasonic’s commitment to ENERGY STAR initiatives and other environmental programs have resulted in all Toughbook® computers receiving the ENERGY STAR 4.0 certification.
ENERGY STAR 4.0 for computers raises the efficiency bar dramatically. ENERGY STAR 4.0 establishes efficiency requirements for all modes of a computer’s operation, which ensures energy savings when a computer is active and running basic applications, as well as in low power modes. Qualifying computers must also include an internal power supply that is at least 80 percent efficient. Only the most energy-efficient products, including all Toughbook computers have qualified for the new specification. ENERGY STAR estimates that these new requirements can save $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next five years and prevent greenhouse gas releases equal to the annual emissions of 2.7 million vehicles.
EPEAT
All Panasonic Toughbook® laptops are certified as “Silver Compliant” by an environmental impact scoring system known as Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). EPEAT is an easy-to-use, online tool to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, laptops and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT also provides a clear and consistent set of performance criteria for the design of products, and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to secure market recognition for their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its products.
EPEAT evaluates electronic products according to three tiers of environmental performance — Bronze, Silver and Gold. There are 51 total environmental criteria: 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria. A Silver-rated product meets all 23 required criteria plus at least 50% of the optional criteria. The additional criteria to reach Gold status are currently being reviewed.
ISO Certification
Panasonic Toughbook products are compliant with all International Organization for Standardization (ISO) rules dealing with reducing energy use, limiting waste and increasing recycling. Since 1996, all Panasonic manufacturing plants worldwide—including the factory in Kobe, Japan where Toughbook® mobile computers are made—have achieved ISO 14001 registration and implemented the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. The Kobe factory has also been certified for ISO 9001, an international standard for quality management systems that enhance product quality assurance and customer satisfaction.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international federation promoting the development of international manufacturing, trade, and communication standards. ISO 14000, a series of standards, provides the framework for managing the environmental impacts of an organization.
The ISO 14001 international standard established a systematic approach that organizations can use to minimize or prevent environmental impacts and risks. This approach, known as an Environmental Management System or EMS, requires the organization to establish an environmental control policy, educate employees about procedures and continually monitor environmental performance.
RoHS Compliance
Since 2006, Toughbook mobile computers have been compliant with one of the most rigid directives, the European Union’s Restriction on Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS), which greatly limits the use of lead, mercury, cadmium and other dangerous materials in electronics. Toughbook® mobile computers comply with regulations that restrict the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment sold in European markets. The European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive bans lead and five other hazardous substances from manufacturing processes. For manufacturers of electronic equipment, the main impact of RoHS is that only lead-free products can be sold in Europe. Panasonic has therefore shifted to lead-free solder. By selling RoHS-compliant Toughbook computers in all countries, not just Europe, Panasonic helps eliminate hazardous electronic waste materials from landfills and waste dumps around the world.
Section 508 Compliance
Panasonic Toughbook computers are Section 508 compliant, ensuring that users with disabilities have access to information technology anywhere, anytime. In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. Electronic and information technology procured by Federal agencies must meet Section 508’s requirements for accessibility.
Toughbook® mobile computers have long been designed and manufactured with access-friendly features, such as touchscreens and the ability to be mounted on wheelchairs. In addition, Panasonic works closely with Microsoft to ensure that Toughbook computers can take full advantage of the accessibility features built into Windows®. Panasonic continually endeavors to make all its products more accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities. In fact, Panasonic worked with ITIC (Information Technology Industry Council) in developing the Section 508 “Buy Accessible” template, and also actively participates in the GSA (General Services Administration) sponsored Accessibility Forum.