Microsoft has begun to scrutinize its hardware suppliers’ business, social and environmental code of conduct a lot of closely, during a bid to enhance sustainability along its own provide chain. The move was welcomed by an atmosphere watchdog, however its effectiveness has conjointly been questioned.
In a statement issued Thursday, Redmond said ranging from 2013, hardware vendors should submit annual sustainability reports on their adherence to the necessities within the existing Microsoft Vendor Code of Conduct. The code sets standards for legal compliance, business ethics, labor and human rights standards, environmental protection, and respect for intellectual property.
This new reporting mechanism “complements and strengthens Microsoft’s existing auditing and assurance programs”, that embody third-party monitoring of its contract hardware makers, and conjointly drive sustainability enhancements in its provide chain, the technology big said.
The aim is to reinforce info shared regarding its vendors’ commitment to social and environmental policies, programs and performance within the company’s annual Citizenship Report, and facilitate shareholders, customers and others perceive how Microsoft and its suppliers are meeting their expectations for social responsibility, it added.
According to Microsoft, the initiative was in response to a shareholder proposal from the big apple town Comptroller John C. Liu, on behalf of recent York town Pension Funds. “We appreciate and price the discussions we’ve had with Comptroller Liu’s workplace and therefore the chance to continue our collaborative work with shareholders on initiatives that additional demonstrate our commitment to company citizenship,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft’s general counsel and government vp of legal and company affairs, within the statement.
Environment activists welcomed the move. Casey Harrell, an environmental analyst at Greenpeace International, told computer World that Microsoft’s new effort was “generally headed within the right direction”. However, she expressed skepticism on how effective or “game-changing” the initiative are.
“In general, a lot of knowledge is good–especially if this is often cross-referenced with alternative audits. This reporting work becomes {much a lot of|far more|rather more|way more} helpful if Microsoft is to truly need its suppliers to stick to more stringent standards than the law permits,” she said, emphasizing the necessity for specific, yet as high, standards.