Chapter 3: Ethics and Social Responsibility

Over the recent years Apple has been under much scrutiny for it's ethics and social responsibility. One of these big issues Apple was in headlines for was the safety conditions of the factory workers in China at the Foxconn plants where they make iPhones and iPads. Because of factory conditions and the way these people were being treated, some of them were committing suicide. More than 17 people committed suicide at this plant which makes these devices that we all use on a daily bases.

Since then Apple has stepped up it's efforts to create better ethical and social responsibilities by applying "The Apple Supplier Code of Conduct (PDF) which is based on standards created by the International Labor Organization, the United Nations, and the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC). It requires suppliers to provide safe and healthy working conditions, to use fair hiring practices, to treat their workers with dignity and respect, and to adhere to environmentally responsible practices in manufacturing. But our Code goes beyond industry standards in a number of areas, including ending involuntary labor practices and eliminating underage labor. To make sure suppliers adhere to the Code, we have an aggressive compliance-monitoring program that includes Apple-led factory audits and corrective action plans, and confirmation that these plans have been carried out." -Apple

"In 2012, Apple became the first electronics company to be admitted to the Fair Labor Association (FLA), a coalition of universities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and businesses committed to improving the well-being, safety, fair treatment, and respect of workers."

-Apple

Since Apple recognized all of the terrible things that have been going on in they have increased Audits on there many factories through out 14 countries with over 1.5 million employees. As you can see from the diagram they have increased the amount of Audit's in 2012 72% since 2011. 

They also perform audits in select non-production facilities, including call centers and warehouses. In addition, they conduct specialized audits focusing on areas such as the environment and safety of there works.

Apple has on there website this notice for the companies that make there products

http://www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/