30-05-2009 Milieudefensie: Philips bears responsibility for unacceptable mining practices

Excerpts from the executive summary of the report by Milieudefensie:

• The Netherlands is a large importer of copper, aluminium and tin from developing countries
• Mining causes major environmental and human rights violations in developing countries
• Dutch companies import and/or use metals, but leave problems for planet and people unsolved
• The metals mined are used in cars, electronics, housing and packaging materials

In this report, mining practices in ten developing countries are reviewed with regard to labour rights, human rights and the environment. The mining products examined are tin, bauxite and copper, metals which have major trade links with companies in the Netherlands. Various companies in the Netherlands import and/or use metals.

This report reviews the supply chain responsibility towards mining practices in developing countries of seven companies in the Netherlands.

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For this report, seven companies in the Netherlands were reviewed. The seven companies are among the biggest Dutch companies involved in the supply chain for tin, bauxite and copper. The reviewed companies, located in the Netherlands,
are:

• Cookson/Alpha-Fry Technologies: solder manufacturer for the electronics industry
• Corus: big producer of tinplate for can makers
• Klesch & Company: owner of the Dutch aluminium smelters Zalco and Aldel
• Draka: third-biggest copper cable producer in Europe
• Philips: user of tin in its electronic and lighting products
• Heineken: producer of beer packed in tinplate cans
• Coca-Cola: producer of non-alcoholic beverages packed in tinplate cans

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Of all the reviewed companies, Philips had the best general policy on supply chain responsibility.