Apple has, for the very first time, released a report of its suppliers. There are 156 suppliers listed in the PDF the company published...including big names like Sony, Intel, Samsung and Foxconn [part of Hon Hai]...[The] company has been under increased scrutiny, with critics saying it should to be more transparent about...its supply chain. Today, Apple appears to have answered its critics’ calls...Apple says it found fewer labor violations in 2011 than in 2010, based on 229 audits it conducted last year...5 facilities used child labor...56 facilites didn’t have procedures to prevent discrimination towards pregnant women; 24 conducted pregnancy tests...69 weren’t recycling or disposing of hazardous waste properly; 74 lacked management procedures on recycling and disposal. The improper handling of combustible dust led to deaths and injuries at 2 facilites...Despite these numbers...Apple says things are improving. [also refers to Ri-Teng (part of Pegatron)]