Since the UN report on tantalum was published in 2001 there has been a lot of debate over raw materials extraction and the role mobile phones especially in Congo (DRC).
Let me start by saying that Sony Ericsson welcomes these types of reports and share the concern for the conditions in the whole supply chain. Reports from authorities and organization highlight these topics that are important both to us and to our customers. We also consider this to be part of the GreenHeart work as an integral part of the whole area of sustainability. As part of Ericsson we developed and launched (as far as we know) the first supplier Code of Conduct in electronics industry back in 1998.
Sony Ericsson recognizes that we have responsibility for the whole supply chain. However, it is also true that the further away from a direct relationship the less impact we have. We can influence and work effectively with suppliers who have direct relationship. Sony Ericsson has also several times, in collaboration with first tier suppliers, worked with second as well as third tier suppliers but then mainly when our direct supplier requests support in explaining the issues and educating their suppliers. We are also participating in meetings with different organizations to try to understand and find more general solutions to the problems in the supply chain e.g. latest arranged by Good Electronics in Amsterdam in May (http://goodelectronics.org/)
The situation in Congo is complex and very difficult to influence. There is a wide spread poverty and corruption (144 place out of 155 countries according to Transparency International). Also conflicts and civil war that has been on and off for 50 years. Another problem to get control is traceability i.e. that it is very difficult even impossible to trace origing of metals and other basic elements when they are mixed. We believe that there needs to be industry common programs working together with independent organizations and authorities. This is also why Sony Ericsson has asked for industry common projects to be set up by associations such as GeSI and EICC where our parent companies are members.
To work on a solution for these problems and secure that no breaches to our code are taking place in the supply chain will take time. We are hopeful that knowledge, understanding and trust will lead to lasting change. But, as all change processes we are also aware that there will be positive and negative surprises along the way both at direct suppliers as well as further down the supply chain.
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