Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

Electronics Industry Commitment to Combat Forced Labor in Supply Chains

Electronics Industry Commitment to Combat Forced Labor in Supply Chains

Published 09-17-14

Submitted by Responsible Business Alliance

Since its founding 10 years ago, one of the core principles of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) has been to combat trafficked and forced labor in the electronics industry supply chain. As part of our efforts to deliver on this policy through increased knowledge and continuous improvement, the EICC welcomes the availability of new research on forced labor in electronics manufacturing, including today’s report on forced labor in electronics manufacturing in Malaysia authored by Verité.

“The EICC has been committed to combating forced labor in the electronics industry supply chain from our earliest days, from setting standards to raising awareness through training. In the lead-up to today’s report, the EICC engaged with Verité on their research and we look forward to using the report’s findings as a valuable tool to identify and find solutions on this important issue,” said Rob Lederer, Executive Director of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition. 

The EICC Code of Conduct prohibits the use of trafficked and forced labor. In 2014, as part of our Code review process, we have strengthened our standard. To view the new standard, please visit our website.

 As a coalition we've worked hard to deliver on our Code of Conduct commitment. Our key activities include:

  • Supporting our members to comply with our Code of Conduct through accountability and assessment tools.
  • Raising member and supplier awareness through in-person and online trainings.
  • Developing a specialized audit for labor agencies, including sections on trafficked and forced labor.
  • Providing risk assessment tools to member companies to assess and audit labor agencies that are amongst their top suppliers.
  • Formed an EICC taskforce against trafficked and forced labor to address further actions that we can take as an industry to effectively combat trafficked and forced labor in electronics industry supply chains.
  • Facilitated dialogue on trafficked and forced labor at EICC meetings and conferences between industry, government and civil society groups in the U.S., China and (autumn 2014) Malaysia.

 As we continue to improve our efforts to combat trafficked and forced labor in the electronics industry supply chain, we welcome research and analysis that helps companies better understand the challenges and we look forward to continuing to work with Verité and other partners to respect workers' rights throughout electronics industry supply chains.

About the EICC

The EICC is a coalition of nearly 100 leading global electronics companies working together to improve efficiency and social, ethical and environmental responsibility in the global supply chain. We enable and encourage our members to progress towards the EICC vision through a common Code of Conduct, collaborative efforts and shared tools and practices. For more information please visit www.eiccoalition.org

Responsible Business Alliance Logo

Responsible Business Alliance

Responsible Business Alliance

The Responsible Business Alliance is the world’s largest industry coalition dedicated to corporate social responsibility in global supply chains.

About the RBA

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is a nonprofit coalition of leading companies dedicated to improving social, environmental and ethical conditions in their global supply chains. The RBA has a Code of Conduct and a range of programs, training and assessment tools to support continual improvement. The RBA and its Responsible Minerals, Labor and Factory Initiatives have more than 380 members with combined annual revenues of greater than $7.7 trillion, directly employing over 21.5 million people, with products manufactured in more than 120 countries.

Vision & Mission

Vision: A global electronics industry that creates sustainable value for workers, the environment and business.

Mission: Members, suppliers and stakeholders collaborate to improve working and environmental conditions through leading standards and practices.

More from Responsible Business Alliance

Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox