Ericsson and Sony Ericsson work proactively together to improve performance towards sustain-able development. We share a common vision of sustainability, ensuring that it is embedded in our strategies and activities.
Sony Ericsson, a 50/50 joint venture of Sony Corporation and Ericsson, was established in 2001, as a provider of mobile multimedia devices, such as mobile phones, accessories and PC cards. The company employs approximately 8,500 people world-wide and in 2007, volume and sales grew to 103.4 million units and EuR 12,916 million respectively.
Sony Ericsson considers sustainable develop-ment and production to be one of the most important challenges for the future and one that demands immediate action from responsible manufacturers. It has implemented a life-cycle approach to product development that takes into account design, supply chain, manufacturing, product use (operation) and end-of-life treatment of all its products.
In december 2007, continuous efforts in environmental activities gained Sony Ericsson first place in the Guide to Greener Electronics ranking by Greenpeace. The ranking is based on policies and practices on unwanted substances and product take-back. Information regarding Sony Ericsson’s environmen-tal performance can be found in the Sony Ericsson Environmental declaration (available at www.sonyericsson.com/environment). Environmental information is available for every Sony Ericsson product.
Phasing out unwanted substances
Every product manufactured by Sony Ericsson since the beginning of 2006 has been fully compliant with the Eu legislation Restriction of the use of hazardous Substances directive (RohS). Sony Ericsson goes beyond the RohS directive, and has also taken action against a number of additional unwanted substances by banning or restricting them from their products.
The company was first to remove brominated flame retardants in printed circuit boards, cables and casings, with their first model introduced in 2001. Since 2006, all production has been without these harmfull substances. Most brominated flame retar-dants are environmentally persistent and bio-accumulative which can be hazardous to those recycling discarded phones. Sony Ericsson has made progress in phasing out polyvinyl chloride (PvC) from its products, and during 2007, all new products were free from PvC.
Energy efficiency
Most of the energy used by many consumer elec-tronic products, including mobile phones, comes from products in idle mode and not when the prod-uct is actually being used. Sony Ericsson focuses on minimizing the wasted energy and recommends its users to unplug the charger from the socket after the product is fully charged.
The most efficient chargers in standby mode are made by Sony Ericsson with at least 50 percent lower power consumption in this mode than the Eu voluntary Code of Conduct (CoC) for power supplies. Also, Sony Ericsson phones meet the requirements of the uS Energy Star Program.
Recycling
Sony Ericsson recognizes the importance of product take-back and recycling. The collection and recycling systems used must be efficient and effective and Sony Ericsson participates in both voluntary and required collection and recycling schemes in many countries around the world. This includes an active participation in the UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program) mobile phone partnership initiative to develop guidance documents for environmentally sound management of the end-of-life treatment of mobile phones.
Sony Ericsson is fully compliant with European legislation resulting from the EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). In the US, Sony Ericsson became a proud supporter of Plug-In To eCycling with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2007. It is a partnership
between EPA and consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers offering consumers more opportunities to donate or recycle used electronics.
Sony Ericsson believes accurately assessing the numbers of handsets collected and recycled around the world is not possible at this time. In Australia, an industry driven scheme for collection and recycling as conducted a market study to better understand collection numbers and attitudes from end users towards giving back a mobile phone. Results show that high numbers of phones can not be expected to be collected. Only 4 percent say that they are likely to give the phone back to the system even though they are aware of it and the positives benefit of recycling.
This result is consistent with earlier research conducted in the US and Europe. In all these studies, conducted over several years, it is clear that the users prefer to keep the phone for eventual use or to pass it on to friends and family. It can also be said that any collection targets based on sales volume and usage time of the first owner will fail, as any expectations on high returns of used mobile phones by then will not be met for quite some time. Addressing electromagnetic field issues
Adressing electromagnetic field issues
All Sony Ericsson phone models are designed and tested to meet relevant regulations and standards on electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure. Sony Ericsson works closely with Ericsson on this topic and sponsors research together with the rest of the industry. Consumer information on EMF is provided with all mobile phone models and is also available on the Sony Ericsson website.
Supply chain
All Sony Ericsson suppliers must undergo assessment to ensure compliance with substance requirements. Supplier audits verify that suppliers have procedures in place to control unwanted substances in their own supply chain. Sony Ericsson cooperates with Sony on their green partner program that includes audits at supplier sites across the world. The importance of social responsibility is not limited to activities within its own organization but, extends through the supply chain to all manufacturers of Sony Ericsson products.
The supplier social responsibility code places expectations on suppliers
to provide a safe workplace for employees, respect basic human rights and apply proper ethical standards in all business dealings. Sony Ericsson inspects all first level suppliers to ensure the requirements are realized on a practical level.
Coltan ore and the usage of the metal tantalum originating from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tantalum is a metal that goes in to a number of different products yet it has proved nearly impossible for industry to trace the exact source of this substance. Ericsson and Sony Ericsson, like the rest of the ICT industry, recognize that this is a very complex issue. Very low levels of tantalum are used in some Sony Ericsson phone models within their capacitors. Sony Ericsson has significantly reduced the use of tantalum capacitors and replaced them with a ceramic type. There are between zero to a couple of tantalum capacitors out of a total of 100-150 capacitors within a Sony Ericsson phone.
Sony Ericsson has contacted its suppliers of tantalum capacitors and requires them to not use illegally mined tantalum from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the surrounding area. Suppliers have confirmed that they meet this requirement.
