LCA of an Ecolabeled Notebook - GreenDeltaTC

7.2 Measures on Company Level
Recommendations
7.2.1 Social Aspects
� Improvement of labour conditions
The study shows that there is need for broad improvements of labour conditions as
wage increases, reduction of overtime hours, improved occupational health and
safety, improved insurance coverage, containment of discrimination, etc. – especially
in EEs and LDCs. Significant changes in corporate behaviour in terms of employee
treatment would contribute considerably to a more sustainable life cycle of
electronic products.
� Implementation of meaningful codes of conducts
Many codes of conduct are formulated vaguely and do not contain appropriate
limitations. Often the codes comprise legal minimum standards as no child labour,
no forced labour, payment of minimum wages, maximum hours of labour according
to local laws, and non-discrimination. Also the EICC does not require appropriate
standards. For instance, the maximum working time per week is limited to 60h,
what is quite high. In addition, this maximum work load can be increased in exceptional
cases. Regarding freedom of association the EICC refers only to local laws.
Further, the code does not address collective bargaining, what is a significant weak
point. 263
The integration of suppliers is also an important point for the improvement of social
conditions.
� Verification of codes of conducts
The best code of conduct is pointless if the compliance is not checked. This is especially
relevant for suppliers. The majority of companies does not compile audits.
The few companies that do checks prefer the application of self-assessments,
which are very manipulable. This study and investigations of NGOs show that violations
of codes of conducts are common. 264
� Fair behaviour within supply chains
The payment of fair prices for intermediate products within the supply chain enables
fair salaries and social benefits and investments in environmentally sound
technologies, health and safety, etc. The set of adequate deadlines for supplies can
reduce overtime hours for instance.
� Engagement in CSR
The CSR commitment of many companies is limited to some corporate giving activities
to victims of earthquakes, and the organisation of summer camps or environment
days. A wider engagement, especially on company level and with regard to
local communities, would improve the overall situation. The construction of infra-
263 EICC (2009b)
264 SOMO (2007a-c) and WEED (2007b)
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