In today’s report Apple released the results of its supplier audit program from 2013.
They confirmed that its partners use only ethically sourced tantalum, which is a primary metal used in electronic components that can be also be mined from war-torn regions in Africa.
In January 2014, we confirmed that all active, identified tantalum smelters in Apple’s supply chain were validated as conflict-free by third-party auditors, and we will continue to require all suppliers to use only verified tantalum sources. We know supply chains fluctuate, and we’ll maintain ongoing monitoring of our suppliers’ smelters.
In interview for the Wall Street Journal, Apple’s senior vice president of operations Jeff Williams, also spoke on the matter:
In the company’s 2014 Supplier Responsibility report published on Wednesday, Apple identified that its suppliers use 20 global smelters or refiners whose tantalum has been verified by third-party auditors as what the industry calls “conflict-free.” Jeff Williams, Apple’s senior vice president of operations, said the company has had success in pressuring tantalum smelters to agree to a third-party audit because Apple and other consumer electronics firms are the biggest users of the metal.
Collecting tantalum and other minerals such as gold and tungsten, has become a controversial subject in the tech industry due to their sourcing at mines blamed for funding conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Apple also stated that they will continue to support conflict-free supply lines and economic development in the region instead of abandoning the questionable minerals.
The report also noted a number of Apple’s other achievements for 2013, including driving suppliers to achieve a 95% compliance rate with the company’s standard maximum 60-hour workweek, requiring suppliers to reimburse $3.9 million in excess foreign contract worker fees, and tracking the weekly work hours for over 1 million supply chain workers.
In earlier report from 2012 Apple confirmed it has canceled one of its suppliers after getting evidence of more than seventy underage workers at one facility.
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