Apple Reports Progress on Supplier Responsibility, But Major Violations Doubled Last Year

Apple was recently accused of ignoring hazardous and unhealthy conditions at its overseas suppliers, so the company’s 2011 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report arrives at a particularly apt time.

Certainly it belies Apple’s rank of last in a list of 29 multinational technology companies in terms of responsiveness and transparency. Forty percent of the suppliers included in Apple’s report said this was the first time their facility had ever been reviewed for social responsibility compliance. Which is worth noting. Surely Apple isn’t the only consumer electronics company they’re working with. Hear that HP? Nokia?

Anyway…

Detailed in the report are the findings of 127 facilities audits, including core violations of Apple’s Supplier Code of Conduct and Apple’s responses to them, which range from mandatory facility upgrades to the termination of business with violators (The company ended its relationship with 3 suppliers on 2010 for code violations). Sadly, Apple discovered 37 core violations in 2010, versus 17 the year before.

Also addressed, the sourcing of conflict-free “conflict minerals” like tantalum and tungsten, the n-hexane incident at Wintek and, of course, the suicides at Foxconn’s Shenzhen facility. Apple appears to have made significant headway on all three fronts, establishing a tantalum and tungsten smelter audit process, forcing Wintek to end its use of n-hexane and improve its ventilation systems and working with Foxconn to develop measures to prevent further suicides.

All good to hear, though obviously when an audit of 127 facilities turns up underage labor violations at nine facilities and hazardous chemicals at 80 more, there’s quite a bit more work to be done.

http://blog.macb.net macbeach

Apple hardware isn’ nearly as unique as some of the “fans” would like to believe. Their stuff is made in the same factories that many other products are made, and with a few exceptions out of the same components. The bad press concerning conditions at these factories goes with the territory wen the company brags of its uniqueness.

The reality is that we who consume these products regardless of the name plate are all equally to blame.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1296601384 Phillip Woon

And these people really want to give the impression that they even like the Chinese. It’s just a way to get back at Apple. My experience in America, is that non-Chinese Americans hate the Chinese
http://twitter.com/lemieuxd David Lemieux

@Macbeach
And I imagine that the other Brands like Nokia and HP which use the same factories have been publishing their audits for years as well and assuring that things improve, right?
It is easy to condemn the ones which are honest and open. The ones that hide in silence tend to be the ones which hold people back when attempting to improve working conditions and health. Reminds me of how Greenpeace used to give equal value to a promise to be good as one who is good. As the years went by we realized that indeed those promises where cheap and simply bought the lazy some free good will which they did not deserve while punishing one of the few companies which actually designs green ideas into their products from the start. Like REDUCING materials first before reusing and recycling.
http://twitter.com/lemieuxd David Lemieux

Hey John! To give value to this piece and not just make it a bash Apple piece, why not show us the results of the other manufacturers’ internal audits of their chinese factories and suppliers. It would help put all this in perspective. In theory both HP and Nokia should have the same results in their audits since they use the same factories
Anonymous

Your response just shows how ignorant you are about the APPLE product line and their business for that matter. They use the same products as everyone else so what is your point? Are you saying the EVO is the same as the iPhone? NOPE!!! However, all the tech companies are to blame here not just APPLE. APPLE is king though of tech that is why it is easy to target them. Little disappointed in John though, he usually posts good articles. Not so much here!!
EVERYONE and EVERY COMPANY is to blame not just APPLE.
Anonymous

Your response just shows how ignorant you are about the APPLE product line and their business for that matter. They use the same products as everyone else so what is your point? Are you saying the EVO is the same as the iPhone? NOPE!!! However, all the tech companies are to blame here not just APPLE. APPLE is king though of tech that is why it is easy to target them. Little disappointed in John though, he usually posts good articles. Not so much here!!
EVERYONE and EVERY COMPANY are to blame.
Anonymous

I might be mistaken, but HP and Nokia don’t really offer the same granular level of detail on these issues that Apple does.

Side note: I’m not really sure why you view this as a “bash Apple” piece. If anything, it shows the company trying to be both responsible and transparent with regards to these issues.
Anonymous

Sorry to hear your experience. I don’t know anyone here with that viewpoint.

China is measuring up to be a significant competitor to the US, like Japan, France, Germany, Britain, India, …. and we all gain from the competition between us.
Anonymous

Yes, as if this site would EVER bash Apple. . .
http://blog.macb.net macbeach

Here is how you have to write it to not be considered a basher:

“Detailed in the report are the findings of 127 facilities audits, including core violations of Apple’s AMAZING Supplier Code of Conduct and Apple’s MOST EXCELLENT responses to them, which range from mandatory facility upgrades to the termination of business with violators (The GODLIKE company BRILLIANTLY ended its relationship with 3 suppliers on 2010 for code violations).”

Apple Reports Progress on Supplier Responsibility, But Major Violations Doubled Last Year

comments so far. Add yours.

AllThingsD by Writer