Cisco, HP, Microsoft and Intel to develop mechanism for 'Electronics Industry Code of Conduct'

Cisco, HP, Microsoft and Intel announced the formation of a new supply chain working group to develop integrated implementation plans for the recently announced Electronics Industry Code of Conduct (EICC).

The code was recently developed to establish and promote unified industry expectations for socially responsible practices across the electronics industry's global supply chain. The new working group, facilitated by Business for Social Responsibility (BSR), will develop common mechanisms and tools that will enable compliance with the Code.

HP facilitated collaboration on the code between itself, Dell, IBM and electronics manufacturing companies Celestica, Flextronics, Jabil, Sanmina SCI, and Solectron. Released on Oct. 21, the code paves the way for a harmonized approach for monitoring suppliers' performance across several areas of social responsibility, including labor and employment practices, health and safety, ethics, and protection of the environment.

The endorsement of the code by Cisco, Microsoft and Intel is recognition of the value of collaborating on a common set of expectations, and together with HP they seek to clarify and simplify approaches to implementation. By working together, these companies and others that join this initiative hope that their collective efforts will have greater impact on improvements in social and environmental practices worldwide. 

The companies will work collaboratively with vendors and partners in the supply chain to develop common approaches to supplier survey, reporting methods, auditing tools, risk assessments and programs to enhance supplier capabilities. The group encourages other companies to endorse the code and join this industry initiative to harmonize business processes, tools and resources. The joint effort reflects the participating companies' commitment to leadership in the area of corporate social responsibility and their desire to help vendors streamline their reporting requirements and make performance easier to verify.

"We're committed to supporting socially responsible business practices across the globe," said Steve Darendinger, vice president, World Wide Supply Chain Management for Cisco. "This partnership speaks to that commitment. By collaborating with Intel, HP and Microsoft on this initiative we have deepened our relationships with both our suppliers and partners and expect to see greater productivity and accountability in the sector."

"Microsoft's support for the EICC and our participation in this industry working group are extensions of our commitment to global corporate citizenship and responsible business practices," said Todd Holmdahl, Microsoft corporate vice president. "We believe this collaboration is an important step in helping ensure safe working conditions and environmentally-responsible manufacturing practices throughout our global supply chain."

"For more than two years, HP has had codes and processes in place to help our suppliers improve their overall level of performance over time, and we have consistently executed on this plan," said Dick Conrad, senior vice president, Global Operations

Supply Chain for HP. "With global leaders such as Intel and Cisco coming on board to support the Code of Conduct HP facilitated, the lives of even more workers around the world can be improved."  

"Intel has been in the forefront of this issue since 1998, and this new unified code matches our current supplier expectations very well. We believe that real strength of this code of conduct lies in its implementation," said Roger Whittier vice president Technology and Manufacturing Group for Intel.  "By working together to put these tools and mechanisms in place we are creating a framework that allows the industry to build awareness and improve adherence to the code on a worldwide basis."