Apple to name-and-shame suppliers of ‘conflict minerals’
FT.com 13/02/14
▻http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/71fe0742-9468-11e3-a0e1-00144feab7de.html
#Apple is extending its supply chain clean up beyond Chinese factories and into African mines, using name-and-shame tactics to cut the amount of “conflict minerals” that end up in its iPhones and iPads.
As it touts fresh improvements to working conditions in the factories that produce its devices, the world’s most valuable technology company is now combining its might in electronics-component purchasing and marketing to pressure smelters to make their sourcing more ethical.
Jeff Williams, Apple’s senior vice-president of operations, told the Financial Times that last month was the first time it was able to verify that none of the tantalum used in capacitors and resistors in its devices had come from mines in conflict regions.
It is now urging “conflict-free” audits for gold, tin and tungsten suppliers by publishing a list of all its suppliers’ smelters and their compliance with ethical sourcing guidelines every quarter.