MADRID, 2 Sep. (Portaltic/EP) -
A report by the Chinese Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs and four NGOs has said that some Apple suppliers in China dump toxic waste from their factories and put the health of their workers at risk. Apple argues that it meets rigorous standards of corporate responsibility in environmental matters.
The 46-page report is the second part of 'The other side of Apple', made by the administration and the same NGOs last January. The first part of this report included the cases of contamination and misuse that Apple suppliers made with chemical substances, dangerous for citizens. In the second part, we talk about the contamination of lakes and rivers with heavy metals that in turn emit gases harmful to workers and to the rest of the citizens.
Apple has defended itself against these accusations by saying that the company has a strong code of conduct for all its suppliers and that it has audited dozens of them. "Apple is committed to driving the highest standards of social responsibility throughout its supply chain," said Apple spokesman Steve Dowling.
He also said that it is necessary for its suppliers "to offer safe working conditions, treating workers with dignity and respect" and that they follow "ecologically responsible" manufacturing processes in all Apple factories.
In addition, the Cupertino company has ensured that it regularly carries out its own audits in the factories of its suppliers and issues an annual report detailing the problems they face. These reports explain their control practices and how suppliers are induced to correct these violations within 90 days. Apple claims that audits are the first procedures to be performed on any new facility.
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