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| Apple plans to cease using conflict minerals | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Apple plans to cease using conflict minerals, the company has announced in its annual supplier responsibility report. | |
| As of the end of January, Apple’s entire supply of tantalum, a rare metal used extensively in the production of capacitors, is provided by smelters verified as conflict-free. The move was announced in Apple’s supplier responsibility report, the eighth edition of which was published on Thursday. | As of the end of January, Apple’s entire supply of tantalum, a rare metal used extensively in the production of capacitors, is provided by smelters verified as conflict-free. The move was announced in Apple’s supplier responsibility report, the eighth edition of which was published on Thursday. |
| As the electronics industry is the biggest customer for tantalum, Apple focused its efforts on securing a clean supply chain for that element. But the company intends for all the tin, tungsten and gold it uses to be similarly verified as from safe and fair sources, and the Guardian understands that the intention is for this to happen by the end of 2014. | As the electronics industry is the biggest customer for tantalum, Apple focused its efforts on securing a clean supply chain for that element. But the company intends for all the tin, tungsten and gold it uses to be similarly verified as from safe and fair sources, and the Guardian understands that the intention is for this to happen by the end of 2014. |
| When asked why it didn’t simply refuse to buy from unverified sources, the company’s senior vice president of operations, Jeff Williams, told the Financial Times that “we could wave our conflict-free flag but it would do nothing to affect the workers on the ground… what we are focused on is getting a critical mass of suppliers verified such that we can truly influence the demand situation and change things.” | When asked why it didn’t simply refuse to buy from unverified sources, the company’s senior vice president of operations, Jeff Williams, told the Financial Times that “we could wave our conflict-free flag but it would do nothing to affect the workers on the ground… what we are focused on is getting a critical mass of suppliers verified such that we can truly influence the demand situation and change things.” |
| Conflict-free smelters must demonstrate that the minerals they use don’t come from sources whose existence finances or otherwise benefits armed groups associated with human rights violations. The issue is particularly pressing for the four elements Apple is addressing because of the large sources in and around war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo. | Conflict-free smelters must demonstrate that the minerals they use don’t come from sources whose existence finances or otherwise benefits armed groups associated with human rights violations. The issue is particularly pressing for the four elements Apple is addressing because of the large sources in and around war-torn Democratic Republic of the Congo. |
| In addition to conflict minerals, Apple is highlighting its worker-education programmes. The company trained 1.5 million workers throughout its supply train on their rights, both legal and those guaranteed to them as Apple suppliers. It says it has trained over 3.8 million since the programme started in 2007. | In addition to conflict minerals, Apple is highlighting its worker-education programmes. The company trained 1.5 million workers throughout its supply train on their rights, both legal and those guaranteed to them as Apple suppliers. It says it has trained over 3.8 million since the programme started in 2007. |
| On a more practical level, the company has also achieved a measure of success in ensuring that its suppliers are not overworked. Apple mandates a 60-hour working week for manufacturers, and the company says that “reducing excessive overtime remains a priority”. It managed to hold its suppliers to compliance with that demand 95% of the time, up from 92% the year before. | On a more practical level, the company has also achieved a measure of success in ensuring that its suppliers are not overworked. Apple mandates a 60-hour working week for manufacturers, and the company says that “reducing excessive overtime remains a priority”. It managed to hold its suppliers to compliance with that demand 95% of the time, up from 92% the year before. |
| • Updated to clarify when Apple will cease using conflict minerals | • Updated to clarify when Apple will cease using conflict minerals |