Chinese CSR report poses serious questions about Apple and suppliers

Ouch!! Following the negative press Apple have received about the iPhone apps not supporting nonprofit fundraising organizations the last thing they needed was another report that could make many question what their core values are (apologies for the pun). It brings me no joy to write negative articles about CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) but while this blog seeks to praise companies on their achievements it’s only fair that more questionable antics also enter the forum.

A fascinating article in UK newspaper the Guardian reveals that a new report has been released by anti-pollution activists that states that Apple is behaving rather secretively when it comes to its supply chain in China when compared with their rivals. As such a ranking will not do well with the technology giant who market themselves as an industry leader in best practices when it comes to corporate ethics. Such self-promotion flies in the face when you come joint bottom in a study of 29 major IT companies based on your transparency. The report claimed serious infractions against Apple such as degrading the environment and exposing workers to contamination from poisons.

The study by the Green choice initiative includes the statement

“Behind their stylish image, Apple products have a side many do not know about – pollution and poison. This side is hidden deep within the company’s secretive supply chain,”

Chinese report asks serious questions about Apple’s supplier chain

The report focuses on the impact of international corporations upon China’s environment and studies incidents of environmental reports that violate regulations. It seems the report has been spurred by an ongoing series of workplace poisonings, heavy-metal contamination and other less than sanguine occurrences at factories that are involved with the supply and manufacture of components for mobile phone and computer technology. As you’re aware number of global brand leaders regularly outsource elements of the production process to Chinese firms to lower costs. I’m sure Apple aren’t alone in these violations but while they actively promote their global brand adherence to social responsibility and they and others simultaneously take advantage of less constrictive regulations when choosing their outsourcing options. Such irregularity in production standards results in the inevitable question of higher pollutants and unsafe working conditions.

Unfortunately the report isn’t talking about rare occurrences of employee safety (and apparently a number of related suicides) but a ongoing issue at various plants that are on the supply chain roster of large international companies. The key finding in terms of the behaviour of Apple site that they were the least willing company to provide data and answer specific questions about supplier relations. Whilst I’m certainly not in a position to verify the validity and accuracy of the report is certainly adds new pressures to Apple which they now need to respond to and if necessary fully review their production processes within China at their outsourced manufacturing sites. Ma Jun of the Institute for Public and Environmental Affairs made the following accusatory statement:

“Apple can say it is completely ‘green’ because it is a brand with no factory, but if it doesn’t manage its supply chain, these are just empty words. Far from being the best on planet, it is bottom among 29 IT brands. Apple should be a leader. If it can move on this, it can change the whole industry.”

Please note that the findings of this report represent the data and research collected by the Institute for Public and Environmental Affairs in China and do not represent any research or certification by Miratel Solutions.

Quotations from this article were taken from theguardian.co.uk

To download the IPE report and view a related video about the story please visit their website.

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