Apple Plans Environmental Audits of China Suppliers

USAToday: In addition to the inspectors who will be examining working conditions at factories belonging to Apple’s suppliers in China, Apple will also reportedly allow independent inspectors to examine the environmental practices of two of those suppliers. Ma Jun, founder of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE), said that Apple agreed to the audits in January and that the inspections are set to begin in March.

Last year, the IPE accused Meiko Electronics, an Apple supplier, of polluting the water supply. The same group said that another supplier, Unimicron, discharged so much acid gas and dust into the air that residents near its factories couldn’t open their windows.