Electronics
The production chain of consumer electronic products is a truly global
one and is facing many social and environmental problems throughout the world.
The scope of SOMO’s research has widened from labour standards at production locations in Asia and Latin America to the entire life cycle of consumer electronics. SOMO started to research the labour abuses and environmental damage at the bottom of the supply chain; the conditions under which the raw materials for electronics are extracted. After initial resistance to take responsibility for this phase of their supply chain, the electronics companies now acknowledge that the electronics industry has the leverage for change, and the dialogue between business and SOMO will continue.
SOMO’s work in the electronics industry takes place through different projects: SOMO is coordinator of the European project makeITfair; is hosting the worldwide GoodElectronics network; and is partner in Procure IT fair, but also runs its own program together with partner organisations in the production countries. This program includes starting up dialogue between local workers organisations and supplier companies and monitoring the codes of conduct of the electronics brand companies.
New: The Story of Electronics
Electronics News
Fair Phones: It's your call
makeITfair releases a new report today that shows that the efforts of European mobile network operators, such as Vodafone and T-Mobile, to improve the social and environmental conditions in the mobile phone supply chain still leaves a lot to desire.
Procure IT Fair launches company monitor
Today, the Procure IT Fair campaign launches its IT Company Monitor. This online tool publishes news items available online that deal with the environment, working conditions and human rights throughout the supply chains of the large computer brands.
SOMO publishes Dutch buyers guide
SOMO, the Dutch partner of Procure IT Fair, publishes the Dutch version of the buyers’ guide today. The guide, which was already published in German and English is now also available for public buyers in The Netherlands.
'How do we connect?' makeITfair and GoodElectronics Round Table report on-line
The report of the makeITfair and GoodElectronics may 2009 Round Table is now available on-line. The report gives a summary of the presentations that were made and the topics that were discussed during the meeting, as well as a list of proposals for follow up actions.
Philippines’ computer industry doesn't keep promises
Two years ago, reports revealed that suppliers of computer components in the Philippines violated labour laws and codes of conduct of computer brands. Several companies promised improvements, but a new report from makeITfair shows that no real changes have occurred.
Multi-stakeholder initiatives
