Sony 2012 Annual Report Download - page 53

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standard for management of chemical substances that Sony
specifies are certified as “Green Partner.” By procuring parts
and products only from certified suppliers, Sony realizes consis-
tent chemical substance management globally.
Addressing Issues Related to the Environment, Labor,
Human Rights and Conflicts in the Procurement
of Raw Materials
Stakeholders are displaying increasing concern regarding
such issues as biodiversity and violations of human rights
related to, among other things, the extraction of rare metals
essential in the manufacture of electronics products.
Stakeholders are also worried that certain minerals are be-
ing used to finance the activities of armed groups in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and neighboring
countries. In July 2010, the United States enacted the Dodd–
Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, one
section of which relates to these “conflict minerals” and
requires the disclosure of certain information by companies
covered under the act regarding the extent to which they
use the specif ied minerals originating in the DRC and
neighboring countries and whether those minerals are
conflict minerals.
Our Approach to Conflict Minerals
Sony shares the concern that conflict minerals might be
used in the electronics industry supply chain and is taking
steps to eliminate conflict minerals from the supply chain.
It is Sony policy to refrain from purchasing any products,
parts and materials that are known to contain conflict min-
erals. Suppliers are also expected to ensure that products,
parts and materials delivered to Sony do not contain conflict
minerals. Sony is currently formulating an appropriate
framework and measures to implement this policy.
Recognizing that these issues are common across the
electronics industry, Sony is also participating in the creation
of an industry-wide framework, an effort spearheaded
by the EICC/GeSI, to improve the traceability of minerals
and ensure responsible sourcing.
In August 2011, Sony initiated an audit of certain prod-
uct categories using the EICC/GeSI and conflict minerals
reporting template, as well as joint conflict-free smelter
certification programs, as part of its ongoing development
of systems and measures to implement its policy against
conflict minerals.
Sony supports and contributes to industry initiatives
such as the traceability project for tin launched in 2010 by
ITRI, a tin industry organization, to validate that the metals
used in its products are not contributing to conflict and
come from sustainable sources. Sony is also participating
in and providing financial support to the Public–Private
Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA), a joint eort
led by the U.S. government to support responsible mineral
trade from the Great Lakes Region of Central Africa.
Initiatives on Paper Procurement
Sony recognizes the impact of illegal logging on biodiversity
and considers responsible procurement to be an important
part of fulfilling its responsibility to society as a corporate
citizen. Sony takes environmental conservation into con-
sideration, especially when purchasing paper materials, by
adhering to the “Sony Group Paper/Printed Material
Purchasing Policy.”
Sales
Production
(devices/products)
Production
Mining Minerals/
Procuring Raw
Materials
Procurement of
Raw Materials
and Parts
Sony
OEM
Retail
51
Basic Structure of the Supply Chain