01-03-2009 makeITfair: Company Responses to makeITfair's List of Principles - HP and Philips forerunners

In 2008, makeITfair developed its List of Principles, in coordination with a number of NGOs and initiatives that deal specifically with mining issues. At the beginning of February 2009, makeITfair sent a short questionnaire to consumer electronics companies about recent initiatives they have taken that would address social and environmental issues within the mining phase of their production chain. 18 out of the 24 companies responded to makeITfair’s questionnaire.

HP and Philips are mentioned among the forerunners in their approach towards sustainability issues in the mining pfase of their supply chains. HP states that it continues to work with its first tier notebook computer suppliers to map the supply chain down to the extractives level ‘to ensure they have robust social and environmental management practices in place with their suppliers’.

Philips requires its suppliers to fulfil the EICC code (plus the annex on Right of free bargaining and Freedom of Association) and will push suppliers to cascade this down the supply chain.