Apple steps up to show more transparency in its manufacturing operation

Apple stepped up to add more transparency to the way it makes its products, including the human resource involved in the process of manufacturing.

The company recently announced a detailed audit report listing out its operation, while saying that it increased the number of audits by 80 percent compared as compared to 2010.

Apple stated that it addressed the issue of child labour at the premises of its vendors to add more transparency to the operations, and managed to bring such cases down to significant level. However, the company explained that the problem is still not eradicated as there are some half a dozen cases  still unsolved. The company also added that it has educated more the population at the sites of its vendors of the human rights and things are changing.

Among other findings in Apple’s annual report, the suppliers are bringing down the work hours to the international level that has been set a standard by the United Nations. The company also found cases of environmental infringements and took steps to remedy the situation on as soon as possible terms.

In addition to the annual report, the company also announced its newest affiliation with Fair Labor Association, becoming the first company to announce FLA as an independent auditor of its operation in manufacturing and supply chain.

“We’re extremely proud to be the first technology company admitted to the FLA,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s senior vice president of operations in a statement. “Last year we performed more than 200 audits at our supplier’s facilities around the world. With the benefit of the FLA’s experience and expertise, we will continue to drive improvements for workers and provide even greater transparency into our supply chain. “

The company also made public the list of all its suppliers and vendors that make the components and chipsets for its products. These companies, according to Apple make up “97 percent of Apple’s procurement expenditures for materials, manufacturing, and assembly of Apple’s products worldwide.”

The audit reports come amidst the opprobrium corporate sector has been attracting because of the cases related to malpractice to human resource handling. However, Apple becomes one of the first to come up front and make an example of transparency in operations.

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Posted by Usman Khalid on Jan 17 2012. Filed under Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.