Apple releases annual Supplier Responsibility progress report
Apple believes everyone in its supply chain deserves dignity and respect. From stricter standards to improving working conditions and protecting the planet, Apple said it had raised the bar higher for its suppliers and the industry.
Based on its 11th annual Supplier Responsibility report, Apple said it audited 705 suppliers in 2016 and compliance with a 60-hour maximum work week reached 98 per cent, an all-time high.
The US-based tech giant said it tripled the number of supplier sites in its energy efficiency program, resulting in the reduction of over 150,000 metric tons of carbon emissions – the equivalent of taking 31,000 cars off the road for a year.
For the first time, Apple said its suppliers achieved 100 per cent L zero waste to landfill validation for all final assembly sites in China.
Since 2013, Apple said its clean water program saved over 3.8 billion gallons of fresh water, enough to provide every person on the planet with 18 glasses of water.
“Apple’s responsible sourcing efforts expanded beyond conflict minerals to include cobalt for the first time,” it said. “For the second year in a row, 100 per cent of Apple’s tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold smelters and refiners are participating in independent third-party audits.
“Apple has also partnered with numerous NGOs [non-governmental organisations] to drive positive change on the ground, including Pact, who are working to provide essential health and safety training to artisanal mining and building programs to help children stay in school.”
In 2016, Apple said it trained more than 2.4 million workers on their rights as employees.
Since 2008, it said over two million people had participated in its supplier employee education and development program.
It also offers opportunities to earn higher education degrees, attend vocational training, and take classes in arts, finance and language skills, the company added.