Electronics suppliers are used by multiple major brands and/or major manufacturers, and many companies are both suppliers to and customers of each other. We need to align our supply chain social and environmental responsibility (SER) efforts with our peers, and collaborate with other organizations to tackle the most pressing SER issues.

Industry collaboration

Electronics companies benefit from collaboration across the industry by sharing knowledge and resources, standardizing tools and processes, avoiding duplication, and developing consistent approaches. Suppliers better appreciate the importance of SER performance when they receive a consistent message from many of their customers.

Examples of our industry collaboration include:

Environment

  • Energy Efficiency Partnership Program HP works with Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) to create energy-efficiency programs at supplier factories. (See Product manufacturing for more information.)
  • Environmental management HP works with the Global Social Compliance Program (GSCP), a group of leading companies from the retail, clothing, and food industries, to improve social and environmental conditions across multiple sectors. Working across sectors allows participants to exchange different perspectives and best practices. In 2010, the GSCP published its environmental reference tool, which provides a common understanding of good environmental management practices. The GSCP's Environmental Module Expert Working Group also released tools to define best practices for auditing factories' environmental performance.
  • Supplier greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions In 2010, HP participated in a working group with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the World Resources Institute to develop a reporting protocol for supply chain GHG emissions (Scope 3 emissions). (See Product manufacturing for more information.) HP also co-led the development of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition GHG emissions reporting framework for suppliers. (See Product manufacturing for more information.)

Health and safety

  • Women's health HP works with BSR on the Health Enables Return Project (HERproject) to address the general and reproductive health needs of women working in manufacturing. (See Capability building for more information.) The program was expanded in 2010 to include five factories in China. Inno Community Development Organisation conducted training on the project. BSR's 2010 report about the project, "Investing in Women for a Better World ," included a case study regarding HP's work at Mexican supplier, Pegatron.

Human rights

  • Extractives issues HP led the establishment of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition(EICC)-Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) Extractives Work Group on extractives issues. HP was one of the leading member companies contributing to the development of a conflict-free smelter validation program, In-Region Sourcing panel, supplier survey tool, Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance, and a concept paper for a public-private partnership. (See Conflict minerals for more information.)
  • Human Rights HP is a founding member of the Global Business Initiative (GBI) on Human Rights. We aim to show leadership and raise awareness of human rights issues within the business community and to contribute to the development of practical approaches by testing emerging best practices in our operations and supply chain. (See Human rights for more information.)

Labor

  • International labor migration In 2010, HP sponsored BSR's research into international labor migration. The research aims to create a network of companies, suppliers, international organizations, and civil society groups that will develop tools and practices for managing migrant workers. It also aims to empower workers to make informed decisions, and strengthen migration policy reform. We helped develop tools and coordinate supplier assessments to aid best-practice sharing on the issue.

Perspective: Ryan Schuchard

Ryan Schuchard from BSR believes HP’s commitment to transparency, including the company’s efforts to promote energy efficiency in its supply chain, helps it stand out as a leader in environmental sustainability. Read his comments.

Sharing experiences

Our supply chain SER program staff members regularly contribute to external publications and share our experiences with other organizations. In 2010, these included:

  • BSR's Unlocking Energy Efficiency in China  HP contributed extensively to and was positively featured throughout the guide.
  • Business Watch Magazine, August 2010 The Chinese publication interviewed HP employees about supply chain SER, specifically regarding environmental issues.
  • Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and BSR's "Practical Approach to Greening the Electronics Supply Chain 2010 " The report featured HP throughout.
  • Center for American Progress and Enough project This campaign aims to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Its first report, "Getting to Conflict-Free, Assessing Corporate Action on Conflict Minerals " credits HP with making the most progress of any company in our sector. (See Conflict minerals for more information.)
  • Inside Supply Chain Management , May 2010 HP contributed the article "Raising Supply Chain Standards."
  • The Institute of Human Rights and Business "Moving Ahead Together: Evaluation of Business and Human Rights workshops within the Sino-Swiss Human Rights Dialogue " HP supported the Sino-Swiss Human Rights Dialogue and shared supply chain SER program experiences.
  • The Mexico multi-industry SER initiative This initiative aims to train 105 small- to medium-sized companies from different sectors in Jalisco, Mexico, on SER topics. The partnership between HP Guadalajara and the Mexican government's Council of Industrial Chambers in Jalisco includes students from the Tec de Monterrey University, who intend to follow up with suppliers to ensure SER plans developed during the training are implemented effectively.
  • Outlook Weekly, May 2010 The Chinese publication interviewed HP employees about global citizenship and HP's approach to SER in Asia Pacific.
  • People , May 2010 The Chinese publication highlighted HP's commitment to align business goals with social and environmental impacts.
  • United Nations Global Compact's "Supply Chain Sustainability Guide " HP contributed best-practice examples. The Global Compact also selected the Portal for Responsible Supply Chain Management  to join a collaborative venture that will give guidance to other companies developing their own approach to supply chain SER. HP is one of four companies leading the portal through the Responsible Supply Chain Laboratory.