Environment

Our most recent audits have found a high rate of conformance to the environmental provisions of HP’s Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (EICC). The exception is hazardous substances handling, which remains a significant, though much improved, issue. The improvements are in part due to our collaborative auditing approach, which facilitates the dissemination of best practices. Learn more about our collaborative philosophy, or see how our auditors work in practice to improve handling of hazardous substances in our Perspectives of an HP auditor feature. We have concerns that environmental risks exist among our second-tier suppliers and further tiers in the supply chain, and we have been evaluating the best approach to address these risks.

Strengthening our SER policy

In 2009, HP strengthened our SC SER policy by adding a provision focused on continual environmental performance improvement. Previously, the policy related only to compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The performance improvement approach encourages suppliers to achieve sustained improvement in their environmental performance, going beyond necessary compliance, which also means it is better aligned with HP’s EICC.

The provision focuses on suppliers’ need to promote efficient use of energy and other resources, minimize the use of hazardous materials, promote reuse and recycling, and reduce emissions to air, soil and water.

Greenhouse gas reduction in the supply chain

HP recognizes the importance of energy efficiency among our suppliers. We have expanded our carbon accounting beyond our own operations, and we became the first major IT company to publish its aggregated supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2008. We have continued working with suppliers to gather data on energy use and GHG emissions in product manufacturing and to establish expectations about energy efficiency in their operations. See Product manufacturing for more information.

Materials restrictions

HP has taken a proactive approach to evaluating materials and eliminating those that pose an environmental, health or safety risk. We may restrict or eliminate substances because of customer or legal requirements or because we believe it is appropriate based on a precautionary approach. We strive to replace legally permitted materials when scientific data has established a potential health or environmental risk and when less risky, commercially viable alternatives are available. We communicate materials restrictions to our design teams and to our manufacturing suppliers through our General Specification for the Environment (GSE), which prohibits or restricts the use of certain substances in HP brand products and in manufacturing. The GSE is integrated into our product development process and into supplier contracts. See Materials for more information.