Dell takes concerns about conditions within our supply chain very seriously. We have high standards for workplace conditions and safety in our facilities and we expect our supplier partners to employ the same high standards. And we thoroughly investigate and take appropriate action regarding any reports of poor working conditions.
Recently, we’ve had inquiries into a DanWatch report that highlighted some of the suppliers we partner with in China. Like all manufacturers in the electronics sector, Dell recognizes its responsibility as a global citizen to build a responsible supply chain. Our ongoing engagement with suppliers includes audits of their facilities and a requirement for improvements if they are needed.
When the Danwatch inquiry came in, we responded with a statement saying if there were issues brought up in their letter that were not identified in our recent audit findings, our Supply Chain Social and Environmental Responsibility (SCSER) team would investigate. Since then, we have engaged the leadership teams at each of the suppliers in the report, collaborated on corrective action plans and have held regular meetings to ensure progress is being made on the plans. We will conduct a follow-up audit on all serious issues before any actions will be considered closed.
Challenges in the supply chain cannot be solved by one company alone. The best way to make lasting improvement in the supply chain is to work together with our industry partners to collectively implement accountability measures through third-party audits, common tools and best practices. We are a founding member of the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC). Through this association we are able to participate in working groups, enhance the EICC Code of Conduct and share audits with our peers.
Because we plan and look years ahead in our Corporate Social Responsibility program, we have developed comprehensive CSR goals for 2020 in our Legacy of Good Plan, which can be seen at www.dell.com/2020. We know lasting change will require more than short-term thinking and work by more than a handful of companies. With that in mind, we set ambitious overall goals, including goals around our supply chain. Long-term success will require partnership from our suppliers, customers and industry peers. I hope you’ll take a look at our commitments and join us in the effort to put technology to work where it can do the most good for people and the planet.
Trisa Thompson
Vice President, Dell Corporate Responsibility
Please follow @Dell4Good to receive updates on our corporate responsibility efforts.
