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Article

1 Feb 2011

Author:
Compiled by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

NGO Report, "The Other Side of Apple", with company comment, news coverage [China]

On 20 January 2011 a coalition of NGOs led by Friends of Nature, Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, and Green Beagle, issued a report entitled, "The Other Side of Apple". This report constitutes "Phase IV" of a series of reports documenting the response of 29 IT brands to allegations that their suppliers in China dump heavy metals into China's water bodies, singling Apple out as the least responsive of the brands. The report challenges the statement in Applies' Supplier Code of Conduct, which reads: “Apple is committed to ensuring that working conditions in Apple's supply chain are safe, that workers are treated with respect and dignity, and that manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible.” The authors of the report conclude: "After a difficult investigation we finally managed to clear away some of the dense fog that enshrouds Apple‘s supply chain. After comparing Apple‘s commitment with their actual performance we were surprised to find a brand with two such contrasting sides."...Apple spokespeople commented on the allegations in the following news articles...[also contains letter from the Chinese NGO coalition to Apple, news coverage of the report]

Part of the following timelines

Apple releases supply chain report - details findings on child labour & worker illness from n-hexane, remedial steps; pledges greater cooperation with Chinese NGOs

Latest concerns re Apple supply chain - Jan-Feb 2012