Electronic Industry Code of Conduct

Summary
The Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (the EICC code) was created by the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition
and released in 2004. The EICC Code provides guidelines on social, environmental, and ethical aspects to the global
electronics supply chain in order to:

Enhance efficiency and productivity of procurement process;

Acknowledge the necessity of ensuring basic working condition for individuals;

Encourage greater economic development and a healthier environment for local communities; and

Develop better communication and business continuity throughout the electronics industry.

The EICC code aims to illustrate these general missions into a series of standardized targets, which can be applied in a
more practical and effective way to the unique industry of electronics.

The EICC code may be adopted and integrated into business operation on a voluntary basis. All companies that have
endorsed the Code are encouraged to apply the associated requirements to their procurement process. On the EICC
official website, there are several implementation tools to facilitate companies to introduce the EICC code to their suppliers,
such as supplier introduction packet, self assessment questionnaire etc. Up to now, more than 40 large world-leading
corporations across Asia, America and Europe have formally declared their support to the EICC code. Through their
extensive procurement network, the EICC code is being spread to businesses of the electronics industry worldwide.

The EICC code is made up of five integrated sections shown below, which address some key issues related to corporate
social responsibilities (CSR) performance and provide corresponding guidelines.

Labor

Health &

Ethics

Safety
EICC Code
of Conduct

Management

Environmental

System

After adopting the EICC code, companies may potentially enjoy the convenience of reducing individual supplier audit work
through a shared audit process initiated by the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition. Because of following a set of
uniform guidelines, one EICC audit report can be shared and accepted by multiple down-stream customers.

Member Notification
Supplier Notification
EICC Guidance Document
Pre-audit
communication

Facilities Demographics
Pre-audit Checklist

Shared
Audit

Auditor Capability &

Auditor

Audit

Selection

Checklist

Audit Questions
Scoring Audit Report

Quality

Apart from the efficient audit process, companies may also benefit from the Electronic Tool for Accountable Supply Chains
(E-TASC) system. It enables data management and information sharing among those companies with commercial
relationships, as well as provides tools to support assessment and validation phases for supplier engagement.

Additionally, to ensure a wide applicability of the EICC code, it has been developed to align with many leading international
standards such as:

ILO Code of Practice in Safety and Health

National Fire Protection Agency

ILO International Labor Standards

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises

United Nations Convention Against Corruption

United Nations Global Compact

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

ISO 14001

SA 8000

SAI

Ethical Trading initiative

OHSAS 18001

Eco Management & Audit System

The following table provides a quick review on the major components in the EICC Code.
Subject

Issues

Descriptions

A. Labor

1.

Forbid using forced, bonded, indentured or

Freely Chosen Employment

involuntary prison labor

2.

Child Labor Avoidance

Prohibit child labor to work in any stage of

manufacturing

3.

Working Hours

Allow at least 1 day off per 7-day week and

not more than 60 hours per week

4.

Wages and Benefits

Comply with all applicable wage laws

5.

Humane Treatment

Communicate disciplinary
policies/procedures clearly to workers and
avoid harsh or inhumane treatment

6.

Non-Discrimination

Prevent harassment and unlawful

discrimination

7.

Freedom of Association

Introduce open communication and

engagement between workers and
management

B. Health and Safety

1.

Occupational Safety

Establish safety hazards control and

worker protection procedures

2.

Emergency Preparedness

Set up emergency action plans and

response procedures

3.

Occupational Injury and Illness

Prevent, manage, track and report

occupational injury and illness cases

4.

Industrial Hygiene

Identify, evaluate, and control exposure of

workers to chemical, biological and
physical agents

5.

Physically Demanding Work

Control and protect workers from hazards

due to physically demanding work

6.

Machine Safeguarding

Evaluate production and machinery for

safety hazards and provide protection
methods to workers

7.

Sanitation, Food and Housing

Provide clean and safe supplies as well as

facilities to maintain general well-being of
workers

C. Environmental

1.

Environmental Permits and Reporting

Obtain required environmental permits,

approvals and registrations

2.

Pollution Prevention and Resource

Reduce waste from sources and apply

Reduction

sustainable processes to reuse or recycle

waste

3.

Hazardous Substances

Manage the chemical/materials to ensure

safe handing, use and disposal

4.

Wastewater and Solid Waste

Characterize, monitor, control and treat the

wastewater and solid waste before release
to the environment

5.

Air Emissions

Monitor, control and treat the air emissions

from operations prior to discharge

6.

Product Content Restrictions

Adhere to all applicable laws, regulations

and customer requirements regarding
substances restriction

D. Management System

1.

Company Commitment

Affirm commitment to compliance and

continual improvement on social and
environmental responsibility

2.

Management Accountability and

Identify company representative(s)

Responsibility

responsible for implementing the

associated management systems and
programs

3.

Legal and Customer Requirements

Understand and monitor the applicable

laws, regulations and customer
requirements

4.

Risk Assessment and Risk

Identify and control risks related to

Management

environmental, health, safety, labor

practice, and ethics

5.

Improvement Objectives

Create objectives to improve social and

environmental performance, and review
periodically

6.

Training

Organize training for managers and

workers to explain objectives and
requirements

7.

Communication

Provide clear information on policies,

practices, expectations and performance
to workers, suppliers and customers

8.

Worker Feedback and Participation

Assess frequently on employees

understanding and obtain their feedback

9.

Audits and Assessments

Perform self-evaluation periodically to

ensure conformity to the requirements
related to corporate social and
environmental responsibility

10.

Corrective Action Process

Set up processes to ensure prompt

correction to deficiencies

11.

Documentation and Records

Create, maintain documents and records

to ensure required compliance and
conformity

E. Ethics

1.

Business Integrity

Implement monitoring and enforcement

procedures to prevent corruption, extortion
and embezzlement

2.

No Improper Advantage

Avoid offering/accepting bribes or other

undue advantage

3.

Disclosure of Information

Disclose information regarding business

activities and performance according to
applicable regulations and prevailing
industry practices

4.

Intellectual Property

Protect and respect intellectual property

rights

5.

6.

Fair Business, Advertising and

Follow applicable standards and establish

Competition

means to protect customer information

Protection of Identity

Keep the identity of supplier and employee

whistleblower confidential

More information on the EICC code is available at: http://www.eicc.info/EICC%20CODE.htm

Reference sources
1. EICC Code of Conduct, http://www.eicc.info/PDF/EICC%20Code%20of%20Conduct%20English.pdf
2. HP Supply Chain SER Program & Introduction of EICC, http://www.hkeia.org/sme_eco_seminar/ppt/HP.pdf
3. Philips Supplier Sustainability Engagement Model, http://www.hkeia.org/sme_eco_seminar/ppt/philips.pdf

4. EICC 2008 Acer CSR Forum,

http://www.bcsd.org.tw/Events/971216/files/04_EICC-Acer%20Session%202%20-%20121408.pdf