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
