It’s how we enforce it, not the code itself, that truly makes a difference, says Apple

Jan 17, 2012 19:11 GMT  ·  By
Workers at an Apple supplier facility in Shanghai assemble parts for the MacBook Pro
   Workers at an Apple supplier facility in Shanghai assemble parts for the MacBook Pro

In the past few days, Apple has been updating its web site with a slew of materials meant to reveal the company’s approach to having all its suppliers follow the same code of conduct, in order to preserve labor and human rights, health and safety, as well as to lessen its environmental impact.

On its Supplier Responsibility site, Apple discloses its Code of Conduct:

“Full commitment to the principles and standards of the Apple Supplier Code of Conduct is a condition of doing business with us. And while our code is based on strict international standards, it’s how we enforce it that truly makes a difference to the people who are involved in making our products in facilities around the world.”

A PDF document that describes this code of conduct more broadly is made available. The short version of the story is that the Apple Supplier Code of Conduct requires partners like Foxconn and Pegatron to provide safe and healthy working conditions first and foremost.

These companies need to use fair hiring practices, and they must treat their workers with dignity and respect, the code says.

However, Apple and its partners have been scrutinized lately for not following these guidelines at all.

In the past year, several stories broke out about unfair labor practices at Foxconn’s factories in Shenzhen. Foxconn assembles most of Apple's iDevices, as well as some Macs.

And other Apple suppliers have been accused of polluting the environment. While some of these reports were exaggerated, others were spot on.

According to the latest documents released by the Cupertino, California company, those who have been found cutting corners are no longer partners of Apple.

Finally, Apple’s code of conduct for suppliers says these companies need “to adhere to environmentally responsible practices in manufacturing.”

“To that end, the code includes standards in the areas of Labor and Human Rights, Health and Safety, Environmental Impact, and Ethics and Management Commitment,” Apple says.