I found the 2010 Apple Supplier Responsibility Progress Report to be a very interesting read.

Over the last three years Apple has developed their own comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct and requires their suppliers to contractually commit to their code as a condition of doing business with them. Not only does Apple’s requirements to supplier responsibility keep their suppliers socially and environmentally in check – their entire approach extends beyond just monitoring compliance with their code.

Apple will help suppliers meet their expectations by supporting their efforts to provide training in workers’ rights and occupational health and safety. They motivate their suppliers to improve on their key metrics. In this way, Apple increases awareness of social responsibility and continues to drive improvements in conditions and practices further into their supply chain.

Just another simple example on how Apple is continually changing the world.

Highlights:

Driving Change

During most of our audits, suppliers stated that Apple was the only company that had ever audited their facility for supplier responsibility.

Falsification of Records

In one instance, Apple’s 2008 audit had revealed falsified records for working hours and days of rest. When Apple returned in 2009 for a core violation reaudit, the facility again falsified records—presenting worker timecards, daily production output records, and quality control records that indicated no violations related to working hours or days of rest. When Apple investigated further, we uncovered additional records and conducted worker interviews that revealed excessive working hours and seven days of continuous work. When confronted with this information, the facility provided Apple with accurate timecards. Based on the repeat core violation and inadequate actions, Apple is terminating all business with this facility.

Wages and Benefits

Audits also revealed 45 facilities where wage deductions were used for disciplinary purposes. While the deductions we discovered may be legal under local laws, Apple has required an end to this practice.