Apple opening up supplier factories to third-party environmental inspections

Many independent environmental groups seek to verify Apple’s own findings related to working conditions on its supplier factories and they finally got Apple's permission. The company will open up its supplier factories to third-party environmental inspections in order to cooperate on audits.

Ma Jun, founder of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, said in an interview that Apple had agreed late last month to open up its facilities to address reports from IPE and other groups outing suspected Apple suppliers as polluters. The audits could start as early as next month and may eventually expand to other suppliers.

Linda Greer, who heads the National Resources Defense Council's health program, said Apple had agreed to allow access to two of the 14 suppliers reviewed in its own environmental audits from last year. The groups will reportedly focus on whether Apple's suppliers are improperly disposing of toxic waste.

Last-November we reported that Apple hold the meeting with Chinese environmental protection groups where it claimed that the company had spoken with its suppliers and asked them to reform. Apple took a step toward transparency last month when it published a list of major suppliers, including Foxconn Technology, Meiko Electronics, Unimicron, Ibiden Electronics, Wintek, Nan Ja Printed Circuit Board and Compeq Manufacturing. Meiko has been accused of polluting nearby rivers and lakes, while residents near а Unimicron factory have complained of acid gas and dust. Foxconn hass been under scrutiny due to unfair working conditions on its factories. The company has responded to criticism by raising wages as much as 25 per cent for its factory workers.