Apple has released their 2010 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report, an annual summary of the company's efforts to ensure that all suppliers “provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes.”

As part of every contract, suppliers are required to commit to Apple's Code of Conduct that specifies that in addition to meeting all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in their own country, companies must also meet “internationally recognized standards, in order to advance social and environmental responsibility.” The agreement gives Apple the right to conduct on-site audits of their suppliers, and according to their progress report they conducted 102 such audits in 2009--22 of which were repeat audits to verify improvements. In at least one of those cases, “Based on the repeat core violation and inadequate actions, Apple is terminating all business with this facility.”

The key areas in which Apple sets standards are labor and human rights, health and safety, environmental impact, ethics, and management commitment to those standards. In general, the numbers indicate an ongoing improvement in conditions at suppliers in the four years included in the report. Suppliers are doing the best at preventing underage labor (97% compliance) and worst at number of working hours (46% compliance). From an environmental standpoint, 97% were in compliance with solid waste management standards, but only 57% at environmental permits and reporting.

As part of their process, Apple has conducted worker training in these facilities to raise their awareness and empower them to identify and call out non-compliance. They have also created programs to help overall worker education, including furnishing iMac computers to equip classrooms used for things such as English-language and technical skills courses. They have expanded the program, conducting “train the trainer” classes so suppliers can conduct their own courses. They have contracted with the nonprofit Fair Labor Association to evaluate the success of these training programs.

Those who care about social issues may want to check out Apple's Supplier Responsibility site and compare it to efforts made by other manufacturers before making a product choice.