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Corporate Responsibility Rating: IT/Computers, Peripherals & Office Electronics

oekom research Newsletter 01/2005

2 February, 2005

oekom research has evaluated the world's 13 major producers of computers, peripherals and office electronics against 200 environmental and social indicators. The Japanese companies Ricoh and Toshiba came in first and second with grades of B+ resp B- in this latest Corporate Responsibility Rating. The two lowest-placed companies Lexmark and EMC, both located in the US, achieved a D+ resp. D. Measured on a scale from A+ to D-, the companies achieved an average score of C+.

What is striking about the results is that most of the companies examined seem to cope better with environmental than with social challenges and, therefore, came off with a higher score in the environmental section than in the social section of the rating. For example, many companies scored for having implemented more or less extensive programs to reduce the levels of problem substances used aswell as for extensive environmental standards among their suppliers. As far as social standards among their suppliers are concerned, the companies show little awareness of their responsibility. The US companies Dell, Hewlett-Packard and IBM set a good example by jointly developing and implementing the "Common Electronic Industry Code of Conduct”, which comprehensively addresses social supplier standards.

The "Corporate Responsibility Industry Report Computers, Peripherals & Office Electronics" can be ordered at oekom research for the price of 2,690 euros. The 219 pages contain a concise abstract, background information on the rating process, rankings of all areas of assessment, and the Corporate Responsibility Rating Reports of the 13 companies analysed. Ratings on the respective companies can be purchased individually for 350 euros.

More detailed information is available from Marnie Bammert, Head of Corporate Communications, tel: ++49-89-544184-64, bammert@oekom-research.com.

oekom research: http://www.oekom-research.com/