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Article

6 Oct 2010

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Compiled by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

China: NGO coalition issues report alleging IT brand suppliers pollute China's water bodies with heavy metals; companies respond

In April 2010 a coalition of Chinese NGOs, led by Friends of Nature, Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, Green Beagle, issued a report alleging that 29 IT brands used suppliers that dumped heavy metals into China's water bodies...On 5 June 2010, the coalition issued an update [PDF], stating that of the 29 companies, 3 had submitted "insubstantial responses" and 8 companies had not responded to its concerns...Business & Human Rights Resource Centre contacted the 6 other companies that did not respond to the report (Apple, BYD, Ericsson, LG Electronics, Philips, Vodafone) and the 3 companies whose responses the NGO coalition regarded as “insubstantial” (Foxconn, Motorola,SingTel) and invited them to provide responses. Subsequently...Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs...submitted rejoinders to some of the companies; some of the companies followed with further comments...On 11 August 2010, the coalition issued a follow up report... nam[ing] 6 companies that "gave negative feedback in filling the gaps in their supply chain environmental management": Apple, Ericsson, LG Electronics, Nokia, Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), Sony...[The] Resource Centre invited these companies to respond....(Includes links to original April 2010 and August 2010 reports, the June update, the NGO announcement regarding Canon and IBM, and company responses, rejoinders and subsequent company statements with regard to all reports)

Part of the following timelines

China: Environmental advocate Ma Jun on engagement with IT firms allegedly using suppliers accused of water pollution

Chinese NGOs say Apple failed to address concerns over pollution, health & safety at supplier factories in China

Company responses regarding NGO report on pollution by IT firms' suppliers in China