History

A 40-Year Timeline of the Development of the Global Electronics Health and Justice Movement

Find by Year:

2016

SHARPS sit-in and Occupy Samsung movement reaches 1 year milestone

Organization(s): SHARPS

Related:

A Year into Sit-in, SHARPS to Samsung’s Lee Jae-yong: Dialogue or Resign

Chemical Challenge Gap Analysis

Organization(s): International Campaign for Responsible Technology, GoodElectronics, etc.

Related:

Chemical Challenge Gap Analysis: Electronics industry standards fall short of protecting the health and safety of electronics workers

Report published: “The Poisonous Pearl”

Organization(s): SOMO, LAC – Labour Action China, LESN

Related:

The Poisonous Pearl

South Korean Press Glosses Over Report on Samsung Cluster Victims

Organization(s): UN Special Rapporteur Tuncak

Related:

UN Special Rapporteur Tuncak: S. Korean Press Glosses Over Report on Samsung Cluster Victims

S. Korea’s Supreme Court Denies Workers Compensation Claims for Three Samsung Cluster Victims

Organization(s): South Korean Supreme Court

Related:

S. Korea’s Supreme Court Denies Workers Compensation Claims for Three Samsung Cluster Victims

CLEAN ELECTRONICS PRODUCTION Network is launched with a goal to move towards zero exposure of workers to toxic chemicals in the electronics manufacturing process

Organization(s): Green America, etc.

Related:

Center for Sustainability Solutions

Petition to Samsung to pay compensation to workers who have died from toxic exposure

Organization(s): Sum of Us

Related:

Samsung: Pay compensation for the workers who died in your factories

ITUC launches petition campaign to end worker abuse and abolish its no union policy

Organization(s): International Trade Union Congress

Related:

The truth matters – medieval conditions behind modern technology

ITUC Website

In an unprecedented ruling, Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWEL) cited malignant lymphoma as an occupational disease and granted workers compensation to Park Hyo-soon, a former Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. employee who died of the blood disorder

Organization(s): SHARPS, KCOMWEL, etc.

Related:

A Milestone Victory: S. Korean Gov’t Declares Malignant Lymphoma Occupational Disease

Responsible Mining: Conflict minerals, cobalt, tin, gold, etc.

Organization(s): SOMO, Action Against Impunity for Human Rights, PremiCongo, AFREWATCH -African Resources Watch

Related:

Responsible Mining: Conflict Minerals

Responsible Mining: Cobalt

Responsible Mining: Gold

Responsible Mining: Tin

Release of “Death by Design” movie

Organization(s): Ambrica Productions and Death by Design production team

Related:

Death by Design Film Website

Death by Design Facebook

Sponsors panel at national conference on “How Purchasers Can Support the Toxic Chemical Challenge to the Global Electronics Industry”

Organization(s): Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council

Related:

How Purchasers Can Support the Toxic Chemical Challenge to the Global Electronics Industry

Samsung launched an Ombudsman Committee on Leukemia, an external monitoring structure agreed to by SHARPS

Organization(s): SHARPS, Samsung

Related:

SHARPS Keeps Keen Eye on Samsung’s Ombudsman Committee

2015

Report: Brazil, the new manufacturing hotspot for electronics?

Organization(s): SOMO, GoodElectronics, Réporter Brasil

Related:

Brazil, the new manufacturing hotspot for electronics?

Electronics Watch launches new initiative to organize public sector buyers and gives them the essential tools to create effective market demand for decent working conditions in their ICT hardware supply chains

Organization(s): Electronics Watch and partners

Related:

Electronics Watch Mission

SHARPS Begins Occupy Samsung movement with Sit-in As Samsung Walks Out Of Arbitration Talks

Organization(s): SHARPS

Related:

SHARPS Begins Sit-in As Samsung Walks Out Of Arbitration Talks

IndustriALL Global Union World Conference on ICT, Electrical and Electronics in Malaysia – Conference endorses Challenge to the electronics industry

Organization(s): IndustriALL, etc.

Related:

IndustriALL Global Union ICT, E&E World Conference

Meeting the challenge: Detailed recommendations for the electronics industry regarding the use of chemicals

Organization(s): International Campaign for Responsible Technology, Good Electronics, etc.

Related:

Meeting the Challenge

Samsung announced that it would provide $85.8 million in compensation for seven groups of diseases: five types of hematopoietic cancers (leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, aplastic anemia, multiple myeloma, and myelodysplasia) and two types of cancer that have been approved as work-related (brain tumor and breast cancer) (but this would only cover a fraction of SHARPS victims)

Organization(s): Samsung, SHARPS

Related:

Barely 3 out of 10 victims qualify for Samsung’s compensation plan standards

Samsung Electronics to create fund for cancer-stricken workers, safety

A Challenge to the Global Electronics Industry to Adopt Safer and More Sustainable Products and Practices, and Eliminate Hazardous Chemicals, Exposures and Discharges

Organization(s): International Campaign for Responsible Technology, Good Electronics, etc.

Related:

Challenge to the Global Electronics Industry

Report: “Paying the price for flexibility – workers’ experiences in the electronics industry in Mexico”

Organization(s): CEREAL

Related:

Report: Paying the price for flexibility – workers’ experiences in the electronics industry in Mexico

Important legal victory as the Taipei District Court rules in favor of workers in the decade-long legal battle in the worst industrial disaster in Taiwan’s history.

Organization(s): RCA self help association, Taiwan court

Related:

Former RCA employees win decade-long legal battle

Publication of: “Katanga calling: Congolese cobalt and consumer electronics”

Organization(s): Friends of the Earth Netherlands, SOMO, and The Good Electronics Network

Related:

Katanga calling: Congolese cobalt and consumer electronics

2014

ILO report: Tackling informality in e-waste management – The potential of cooperative enterprises

Organization(s): International Labor Organization

Related:

Tackling informality in e-waste management: The potential of cooperative enterprises

Greenpeace publishes ‘Designing the Future: The path to greener electronics”

Organization(s): Greenpeace International

Related:

Green Gadgets: Designing the Future

FORCED LABOR IN THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRONIC GOODS IN MALAYSIA: A Comprehensive Study of Scope and Characteristics

Organization(s): Verite, US Department of Labor

Related:

Forced Labor in the Production of Electronic Goods in Malaysia: A Comprehensive Study of Scope and Characteristics

Baskut Tuncak appointed UN Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes

Organization(s): UN Human Rights Council

Related:

Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes

Challenging the chip published in Chinese

Organization(s): International Campaign for Responsible Technology, Citizen of the Earth Taiwan, etc.

Related:

Chinese Edition of ‘Challenging the Chip’ Published

Launch of “Bad Apple” campaign to end smartphone sweatshops

Organization(s): Green America, etc.

Related:

End Smartphone Sweatshops

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. vice chairman and CEO Kwon Oh-hyun made a public apology to the victims of the company’s leukemia cluster

Organization(s): SHARPS

Related:

SHARPS Cautiously Welcomes Samsung’s Apology

Samsung promises to compensate factory workers who suffered cancer

2013

Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council launched

Organization(s): Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council

Related:

Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council Website

Imaging Equipment and Television categories are listed on the EPEAT registry

Organization(s): Green Electronics Council, IEEE

Related:

EPEAT Registry

Resolution in support of the SAICM recommendations on the hazards in electronics adopted by members of ANROEV May 2013 in Bangkok

Organization(s): ANROEV, SHARPS, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, etc.

Related:

Annual Meeting Reports

Electronics workshop at the ANROEV conference in Bangkok, Thailand

Organization(s): ANROEV, ICRT, SHARPS, Hesperian Health Guides, etc.

Related:

ANROEV Conference 2013 Welcome

Imaging Equipment and Television categories are listed on the EPEAT registry

Organization(s): Green Electronics Council, IEEE

Related:

EPEAT Registry

H.R. 2791, “The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act (RERA) of 2013,” is filed, with the promise of stimulating the US recycling industry banning e-waste dumping by American firms overseas

Organization(s): Electronics TakeBack Coalition and multi-stakeholder coalition

Related:

Responsible Electronics Recycling Act, to ban overseas dumping of US ewaste, introduced in Congress

1st Electronic Sector Roundtable in India. 30th November 2012. Chennai

Organization(s): CIVIDEP – Civil initiatives for development and peace

Related:

1st Electronic Sector Roundtable in India.30th November 2012. Chennai

Migrant labour rights in Malaysia’s electronics industry

Organization(s): SOMO, Make IT Fair

Related:

Outsourcing Labour: Migrant labour rights in Malaysia’s electronics industry

2012

Launch of new generation TCO Certified – the sustainability certification for IT product

Organization(s): TCO Development

Related:

About TCO Certified

Resolution on Improving Occupational and Environmental Health in the Global Electronics Industry and panel of experts to describe and assess the impacts on high-tech manufacturing on the workers in the supply chain

Organization(s): American Public Health Association

Related:

APHA Policy Statement: Improving Occupational and Environmental Health in the Global Electronics Industry

2012 APHA-OSH Conference Presentations

Sustainable Electronics Forum brought together leaders in electronics design, materials, manufacturing and recycling, to develop a shared vision and technology roadmap for sustainable electronics. They produced recommendations for research, standards and design challenges; and accelerate green electronic voluntary initiatives

Organization(s): United States Environmental Protection Agency, Green Electronics Council, Johnson Foundation at Wingspread, electronics industry, government and NGO leaders

Related:

Sustainable Electronics Roadmap

Sustainable Mobile Phone Design Charrette where participants explored opportunities for increasing the sustainability of mobile phones – from design, manufacture, use and
disposal

Organization(s): University of Massachusetts, Lowell, California College of the Arts, Electronics TakeBack Coalition, Sustainable Silicon Valley

Related:

Sustainable Mobile Phone Design Charette

FLA report shows some policy changes at Foxconn but few improvements for workers

Organization(s): Fair Labor Association

Workers’ rights in the global electronics sector: Report of Round Table

Organization(s): Make IT Fair, Good Electronics

Related:

Workers’ rights in the global electronics sector: Report of the May 2012 makeITfair and GoodElectronics Round Table

Designing Take back Systems for E-Waste
Toxics Link Concept Paper. Toxics Link Workshop

Organization(s): Toxics Link

Related:

E-Waste: Designing Take Back Systems

Global strategy meeting on sustainable electronics in Korea

Organization(s): SHARPS, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, AMRC, ANROEV, Center for the Environment, Taiwan (CET), GoodElectronics, etc.

Related:

Report from the Global Strategy Meeting on Sustainable Electronics Industry

International Activists Hold Networking Meeting In Seoul For a Sustainable Electronic Industry

Publication of “Freedom of Association in the electronics industry”

Organization(s): SOMO

Related:

Freedom of association in the electronics industry

Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor announced its recognition of the aplastic anemia suffered by Ms. Jisook Kim as an occupational disease from her work at Samsung Semiconductor

Organization(s): Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor, SHARPS

Related:

Statement of SHARPS hailing KCOMWEL’s first recognition of workers’ compensation of a Samsung worker victim, on April 10, 2012

Significant Momentum Toward Sustainable Electronics in 2012

Organization(s): ICRT, ANROEV, and more

Related:

Significant Momentum Toward Sustainable Electronics in 2012

The Struggle in Asia for Sustainable Electronics and Safer Workplaces, and ICRT’s 10th Anniversary

Organization(s): ICRT, IPEN, and more

Related:

The Struggle in Asia for Sustainable Electronics and Safer Workplaces, and ICRT’s 10th Anniversary

2011

GoodElectronics Common Demands on the electronics industry – revised 2011

Organization(s): Good Electronics and allied groups

Related:

GoodElectronics Common Demands on the electronics industry – revised 2011

International Workshop on Hazardous Substances within the Life Cycle of Electrical and Electronic Products, organized under the auspices of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) in Vienna, Austria

Organization(s): IPEN, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, AMRC, SHARPS, BAN, Toxics Link, Clean Production Action, etc.

Related:

Full Life Cycle

Electronics Workshop – Strategy planning and strengthening of work in Asia ANROEV conference in Jaippur, India

Organization(s): ANROEV, AMRC, SHARPS, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, etc.

Related:

ANROEV Report 2011

New report by Chinese NGOs accuses iPhone maker Apple of failing to properly oversee its Chinese suppliers, leading to poor environmental and safety standards, and dozens of poisoned factory workers

Organization(s): Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs (IPE), Green Choice Alliance

Related:

Apple Pollution Supply Chain

Apple criticised for lax green standards in China

2010

Electronics H&S workshop in Batam, Indonesia

Organization(s): FSPMI, AMRC, ICRT

Related:

Electronics production in Batam, Indonesia: “OSH is the most important. If we are sick we cannot earn our salaries.”

Electronics H&S training at ANROEV meeting in Bandung, Indonesia

Organization(s): ANROEV, AMRC, SHARPS, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, LOHP, etc.

Related:

Annual Conference 2010, Bandung, Indonesia – Short Report

LOHP Staff Participate in Conference to Set Asian OHS Agenda

Petition campaign to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, telling Jobs to stop exploiting Chinese workers and prevent suicides at Foxconn

Organization(s): United Students against sweatshop and Students and scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM)

On-line petition launched to support Samsung workers and the SHARPS campaign

Organization(s): SHARPS, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, etc.

Related:

Online Petition for health and justice of Samsung electronics workers

New film explores the high-tech revolution’s collateral damage—e-waste, poisoned workers and a public left holding the bill

Organization(s): The Story of Stuff Project and the Electronics Take Back Coalition, Hesperian Foundation

Related:

Story of Electronics

The Story of Electronics Blog Post

Seven people were arrested while protesting against Samsung’s disregard for the death of Ji-Yeon Park, a former Samsung worker

Organization(s): SHARPS

Related:

Seven people were arrested, who were protesting against Samsung’s disregard for the death of Ji-Yeon Park, Samsung former worker

Greenpeace climbers scale the Benelux headquarters of the Korean electronic giant Samsung, displaying the message “Samsung = Broken Promises”

Organization(s): Greenpeace

Related:

Calling out Samsung for toxic failure

Workers at Suzhou factory poisoned with N-hexane and hold protest

Organization(s): Procure IT Fair

Related:

Toxic toll at Taiwan factory increases

2009

Round Table for the Electronics Industry and Civil Society Organisations in Amsterdam, Netherlands – Improving Labour Standards in the Global Electronics Industry Defining Strategies that Work

Organization(s): Good Electronics and allied groups

Related:

Round Table for the Electronics Industry and Civil Society Organisations

Requirements for socially responsible manufacturing introduced

Organization(s): TCO Development

Related:

About TCO Development

Publication of “Buy IT Fair – Guideline for Sustainable Procurement of Computers”

Organization(s): Procure IT Fair

Related:

Buy IT Fair – Guideline for Sustainable Procurement of Computers

Greenpeace action at H-P global headquarters – ‘HP = Hazardous Products’ was painted on the roof in large yellow letters and automated phone calls from actor William Shatner, calling upon the company to phase out the toxic chemicals

Organization(s): Greenpeace International

ANROEV global meeting in Cambodia, with presentation by SHARPS about Samsung workers in Korea and OSH training on electronics H&S

Organization(s): ANROEV, AMRC, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, SHARPS etc.

Related:

ANROAV Annual Meeting Report

A Comprehensive Approach to Congo’s Conflict Minerals – Strategy Paper

Organization(s): Enough Project, Grassroots Reconciliation Group

Related:

A Comprehensive Approach to Congo’s Conflict Minerals – Strategy Paper

Publication of “The Dark side of cyberspace: Inside the sweatshops of China’s Computer Hardware Production”

Organization(s): Weed (World Economy, Ecology & Development), Students and Scholars against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM), Procure IT Fair

Related:

The dark side of cyberspace: Inside the sweatshops of China’s Computer Hardware Production

Challenging the Chip published in Korean

Organization(s): International Campaign for Responsible Technology, SHARPS, etc.

Related:

Korean Edition of “Challenging the Chip” Published

Preface to Korean edition of “Challenging the chip”

2008

Good Electronics formed and publishes newsletter

Organization(s): Good Electronics and allied groups

Publishes report “ Toxic tech: Not in our backyard”

Organization(s): Greenpeace

Related:

Toxic Tech: Not in Our Backyard Publication

Toxic Tech: Not in Our Backyard News

Electronics Skill share for ANROEV members and electronics workers from the Philippines

Organization(s): ANROEV, IOHSAD, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, etc.

2007

The U.S. government issues an executive order requiring that all federal agencies satisfy 95% of their purchase requirements with EPEAT-registered products

Organization(s): Green Electronics Council, IEEE

Related:

EPEAT Overview

“Toxics free UC Campaign” persuades University of California to adopt green electronics purchasing and recycling policies

Organization(s): SVTC, University of California Student Groups

Related:

Toxic-Free UC Campaign Promotes Sustainability

U.C. System Adopts Ambitious E-Waste Policies

Waste Not Asia conference features workshop on e-waste

Organization(s): Waste Not Asia, GAIA, AMRC, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, etc.

Related:

Earth Platform Waste Not Asia

Presentation on “Challenging the Chip” and building the global electronics movement

Organization(s): ANROEV, AMRC, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, etc.

Related:

Challenging the Chip: 2007 ANROAV Meeting in Hong Kong

2006

EPEAT is launched with the publication of 1680.1 computer standard

Organization(s): Green Electronics Council, IEEE

Related:

EPEAT Registry History

European Work Hazards Network meeting in Latvia workshop on electronics: Challenging the chip

Organization(s): European Work Hazards Network, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, etc.

Related:

Why We Are Challenging the Chip

SACOM launches the “Clean up your Computer” Campaign” and Publishes report: “Whose Sweatshop Computers? Behind the supply chain” SACOM launches the “Clean up your Computer” Campaign”

Organization(s): Students and scholars Against
Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM)

Greenpeace launches Greener Electronics campaign, challenging the sector’s leading companies to reduce their environmental footprint and meet the growing demand for greener devices. Publishes “Guide to Greener Electronics”

Organization(s): Greenpeace International

Related:

Detox Our Future

Publication of “Challenging the chip: Labor rights and environmental justice in the global electronics industry

Organization(s): International Campaign for Responsible Technology, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, etc

Related:

Challenging the Chip: Labor Rights and Environmental Justice in the Global Electronics Industry

“India’s Toxic Landfills: A Dumping Ground for the World’s Electronic Waste”

Organization(s): Toxics Link, Basel Action Network, Sustainable Development Law & Policy

Related:

India’s Toxic Landfills: A Dumping Ground for the World’s Electronic Waste

Campaign proposals for Apple on take back and green design

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Computer TakeBack Campaign

Related:

SVTC and CTBC Proposals for Apple

2005

Publication of “The digital dump: exporting re-use and abuse to Africa”

Organization(s): Basel Action Network, Computer TakeBack Campaign, etc.

Related:

Dumping of e-Waste Spreading to Africa

Toxic e-Waste Gets Cached in Poor Nations

‘Digital Dumps’ Heap Hazards at Foreign Sites

E-waste protest at Apple board meeting with socially responsible investors

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Green Century Fund, As you sow, etc.

Related:

Jobs Defends Apple Against e-Waste Protest

Bad Apple campaign organizes “From iPod to iWaste protest” at Apple headquarters and at MacWorld Expo in San Francisco

Organization(s): Computer TakeBack Campaign, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, etc.

Related:

Activists Press Apple for Greener Waste Policy

Apple e-Waste Policy Trashed

Demonstrating Concern: Environmentalists Picket at Macworld over Apple Policies

Discarded Apples: Think Different on Computer Waste

2004

Develops Electronics Industry Code of Conduct

Organization(s): Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC)

Related:

Responsible Business History

Global Forum in Beijing, China to address e-waste dumping in China

Organization(s): Green Electronics Council, IEEE

Related:

China’s E-Waste Problem: Facing Up to the Challenge

Invitation to International Conference on Electronic Waste and Producers’ Environmental Responsibilities in China

2003

“Hard drive across the west” picks up e-waste in 7 cities and delivers it to the Dell shareholder’s meeting in Austin to pressure Dell on Take back

Organization(s): Computer TakeBack Campaign, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, etc.

Related:

A Dell of a Problem

Photo of Geordie Smith, Joseph Debartolo on ETBC Truck

PC Recycling Campaign Pressures Dell

California passes first e-waste bill in the U.S.

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Californians Against Waste, California Legislature, etc.

Related:

Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003

Coalition protests Dell’s use of prison labor to recycle e-waste at the Consumer Electronics Show in Law Vegas

Organization(s): Computer TakeBack Campaign, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Related:

Environmentalists Fault Dell on Recycling of PCs

Activists say computer makers pollute earth, harm workers

2002

Founding conference of ICRT as part of SVTC’s 20th Anniversary: “Global symposium for a sustainable high-tech industry”

Organization(s): International Campaign for Responsible Technology, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, etc.

Related:

Global Symposium for a Sustainable High-Tech Industry

Campaign launched to get Dell Computer to take back and recycle its obsolete products

Organization(s): Computer TakeBack Campaign, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Grass roots recycling network

Related:

Dude, Are You Recycling?

RCA victims from Taiwan launch US tour to demand accountability from RCA for worker deaths and environmental pollution

Organization(s): Electronics TakeBack Coalition and multi-stakeholder coalition

Related:

Taiwan workers plead cancer case / Link RCA plant to disease

Taiwan workers air health grievances, weigh US lawsuit

Ex-RCA staffers get support in US for poisoning charges

Chip industry says it will study health impacts of worker exposure to toxic chemicals

Organization(s): ISanta Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Semiconductor Industry Assoc.

Related:

Chip industry to consider health study / Industry panel to look into review of effect of chemicals on workers

Publication of “Exporting harm: the high-tech trashing of Asia”

Organization(s): Basel Action Network, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Toxics Link India and Greenpeace China

Related:

Technology’s Toxic Trash is Sent to Poor Nations

2001

From Silicon Valley to Green Silicon Island: Taiwan’s Pollution and Promise in the Era of High-Tech Globalization

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, and Taiwanese Environmental Action

Related:From Silicon Valley to Green Silicon Island: Taiwan’s Pollution and Promise in the Era of High-Tech Globalization

Publication of Toxic TVs and Poison PCs

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Californians Against Waste and Materials for the Future

Related:

Poison PCs and Toxic TVs

2000

SVTC and allies launch Computer TakeBack Campaign to promote extended producer responsibility in the US

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, GrasRoots Recycling Network, Computer TakeBack Campaign

Related:

A Multi-Organization Campaign

Computer TakeBack Campaign Platform

European Commission adopts Directive on Waste from Electrical sand Electronic Equipment

Organization(s): European Commission

Related:

Europe Limits Heavy Metals in Electronic Equipment

EU Wants Electronic Products Recycled

Socially responsible Investors join campaign to promote computer recycling and extended producer responsibility

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and Pax World Fund

Related:

Pax World Funds Brings Computer Trash Out of the Closet

1999

Strategies to promote clean production – Extended Producer Responsibility

Organization(s): Clean Production Action, International Campaign for Responsible Technology

Related:

Strategies to Promote Clean Production

Campaign launched to promote extended producer responsibility in the US to prevent the export of hazardous e-waste

Organization(s): Campaign for Responsible Technology & Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Related:

Environmental Group Calls For Computer Recycling

Publication of “Electronics sustainability commitment” – the Soesterberg Principles

Organization(s): Trans-Atlantic Network for Clean Production, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Greenpeace, etc.

Related:

The Soesterberg Principles Set Out a Vision

Campaign to oppose high-tech industry lobbying in Europe opposing the WEEE directive

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, European Environmental Bureau

Related:

Action Alert to Save EPR From Attack by USTR

US threat to EC electronics recycling Directive

Clean Computers: WTO and Beyond

1998

Wall Street Journal publishes front page story about cancer cluster and other diseases at National Semiconductor in Silicon Glen

Organization(s): PHASE 2 Scotland

Related:

Computer Chip Plants Aren’t As Safe As Billed

Socially responsible Investors develop resolution asking high tech companies to address international environmental standards in their supply chains

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, International Campaign for Responsible Technology, Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility

Related:

SRI Resolution on International Environmental Standards for Electronics Subcontractors

SVTC begins to develop international linkages in Silicon Glen, Scotland and Europe, working on the WEEE and RoHS directives

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Campaign for Responsible Technology, International Campaign for Responsible Technology

Related:

Silicon Valley’s Watchdog Takes on Global Mission

Production of the play: “Silicon Dreams” and production book celebrating 20 years of SCCOSH history

Organization(s): Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health, Health Watch, Toxic Avengers Theater

Related:

Silicon Dreams: Toxic Avengers Theater Production

1997

Publication: “Sacred Waters: 4 case studies of high-tech water resource exploitation and corporate welfare in the Southwestern USA”

Organization(s): Electronics Industry Good Neighbor Campaign, Southwest network for economic and environmental justice & Campaign for Responsible Technology

Related:

Sacred Waters

Book Details High Tech Industry’s Water Exploitation

Environmentalists Campaign Against High Tech Waste

Toxic Tech Op-Ed

1996

Principles and tools for developing model participation strategy

Organization(s): Campaign for Responsible Technology

Related:

Principles and Tools for Model Participation

Silicon Principles

Organization(s): Campaign for Responsible Technology & Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Related:

Silicon Principles

Bargaining for a new industrial policy

Organization(s): Campaign for Responsible Technology

Related:

Bargaining for a New Industrial Policy

1995

Criteria to reduce hazardous material content – chemicals, flame retardants and heavy metals

Organization(s): TCO Development

Related:

About TCO Development

Intel seeks $8 billion industrial revenue bond to build new factory in New Mexico, the largest ever

Organization(s): Intel

Related:

Intel is Seeking Financing in New Mexico

Shareholder resolution to Intel on international standards and practices to protect workers and the environment

Organization(s): Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, Southwest Organizing Project, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, etc.

Related:

Letter to Intel from Shareholders

1994

Campaign to end the miscarriage of justice

Organization(s): Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health & Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Related:

Campaign to End the Miscarriage of Justice

“Why Intel jilted the golden state” – Intel’s Ideal Incentive Matrix and the competition for corporate subsidies

Organization(s): Intel

Related:

Why Intel Jilted the Golden State

Workers at the center: campaign to organize immigrant workers in Silicon Valley

Organization(s): Campaign for Justice

Related:

Workers at the Center: Justice for Janitors

Testimony at public hearing in Phoenix, Arizona to oppose the expansion of Motorola semiconductor facility

Organization(s): Electronics Industry Good Neighbor Campaign, Campaign for Responsible Technology, Southwest Network for Economic and Environmental Justice, etc.

Related:

Testimony to Maricopa County on Motorola Expansion

1993

Coalition of labor and health groups oppose NAFTA, saying it is bad for workers and the environment

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health, South Bay Labor Council, etc.

Related:

Coalition States Case Against NAFTA

Report by “The environmental exchange: What works?” called “Activists shape high-tech research priorities

Organization(s): Campaign for Responsible Technology, Southwest Network for Economic and Environmental justice & Electronics Industry Good Neighbor Campaign

Related:

Activists Shape High-Tech Research Priorities: What Works

1992

The first TCO certification is introduced, focusing on low emissions and reduced energy consumption in displays

Organization(s): TCO Development

Related:

TCO Development

Semiconductor Industry Association study finds high rates of miscarriages at US chip plants

Organization(s): University of California at Davis, School of Medicine

Related:

Danger of Miscarriage Found for Chip Workers

High miscarriage rates found at IBM chip factories

Organization(s): Johns Hopkins

Related:

Miscarriages Tied to Chip Factories

CRT persuades Congress earmarks $10 million to SEMATECH budget for environmental and occupational health

Organization(s): Campaign for Responsible Technology, etc.

Related:

Sematech’s New Mission is Defined

CRT Testimony to House Committee on Sematech

Apple janitors win first union contract

Organization(s): Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

Related:

Apple Janitors Win Union Rights

Proceedings: U.S. Toxics Release Inventory data use and pollution prevention – presentation by Ted Smith

Organization(s): USEPA and Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, etc.

Related:

Proceedings: Toxic Release Inventory

Report: “The legacy of high-tech development: the toxic lifecycle of computer manufacturing

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Campaign for Responsible Technology & National Toxics Campaign

Related:

The Legacy of HT Development: Toxic Lifecycle of Computer Manufacturing

1991

International Conference on reporting of releases of toxic chemicals – NGO statement

Organization(s): USEPA and OECD

Related:

NGO Statement at International Conference on Reporting Toxic Releases

CRT meets with SEMATECH to press campaign for improved health & safety in chip industry

Organization(s): Campaign for Responsible Technology

Related:

CRT Statement on SEMATECH

Striving to be a Good Neighbor

1990

Campaign for Responsible Technology formed and Publishes SEMATECH, Toxics and US Industrial Policy

Organization(s): Campaign for Responsible Technology (CRT)

Related:

SEMATECH Toxics and US Industrial Policy

SEMATECH Could Offer Antidote to High-Tech Toxics

New Toxic Gas Law passes throughout Silicon Valley to protect workers and community

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, etc.

Related:

Toxic Gas Law Adopted

1989

“Save the Ozone layer” Earthday rally at IBM in San Jose to protest massive CFC pollution

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Greenpeace, National Toxics Campaign, etc.

Related:

Earth Day Action Focuses on Ozone

Ratifies the Basel convention to prohibit the export of hazardous waste

Organization(s): United Nations

Related:

Treaty Adopted to Control Toxic Waste Exports

1988

SVTC publishes first report on toxic releases based on data for new Superfund RTK law – documenting millions of pounds of toxic release in Silicon Valley

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Related:

Silicon Valley Firms Found to Emit Toxic Air Pollutants

Publication: “Citizen’s guide to the new Federal right-to-know law“

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and Toxics Coordinating Project

Related:

Citizen’s Guide on the New Federal Right to Know Law

Federal OSHA agents inspect Silicon Valley factories to investigate hazardous working conditions

Organization(s): U.S. OSHA

Related:

OSHA Plans Safety Checks of Semiconductor Industry

1987

Launches high-tech campaign to protect electronics workers

Organization(s): Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO

Related:

Union Warns of Health Perils in Semiconductor Industry

IBM workers form union alliance to fight for better working conditions

Organization(s): IBM Workers United

Related:

IBM Dissidents Hope for Increased Support

H.R. 2791, “The Responsible Electronics Recycling Act (RERA) of 2013,” is filed, with the promise of stimulating the US recycling industry banning e-waste dumping by American firms overseas

Organization(s): Electronics TakeBack Coalition and multi-stakeholder coalition

Related:

Responsible Electronics Recycling Act, to ban overseas dumping of US ewaste, introduced in Congress

1986

Digital Equipment Corporation health study finds high rates of miscarriages among chip workers

Organization(s): University of Massachusetts School of Public Health

Related:

DEC Health Study 1986

Chip Plant Study Finds High Miscarriage Rate

Proposition 65 passes in California with strict anti-toxics provisions and the precautionary principle

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and a broad statewide coalition

Related:

Voters Should Join Tap Water Rebellion

Superfund campaign leads to passage of new Superfund law with Federal Right to know and Technical Assistance Grants

Organization(s): National Toxics Campaign, et al

Related:

‘Superdrive’ for better ‘Superfund’ begins Tuesday

Publication: “High tech organizing around the world”

Organization(s): Integrated Circuit

Related:

High-Tech Organizing Around the World

High tech toxics spread to New Mexico

Organization(s): Integrated Circuit

Related:

Overexposed in Albuquerque

Hosts conference of High Tech organizers in Silicon Valley

Organization(s): Integrated Circuit

Related:

Integrated Circuit Network to Boost Organizing of High Technology Industry

Publishes report: “Whatever happened to job security in the High Tech industry?”

Organization(s): Boston High Tech Research Group

Related:

Insecurities of High Tech

1985

California study finds high birth defects in water pollution area of San Jose

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health

Related:

High Birth Defect Rates in Spill Area

Publishes “Health hazards in electronics – a handbook” – Tom Gassert

Organization(s): Asia Monitor Research Centre

Related:

Health Hazards in Electronics

1984

EPA lists 20 Silicon Valley company sites on Superfund list

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition

Related:

20 Sites Reportedly Added to Superfund List

California passes anti-toxics law which includes a right to know about hazardous chemicals provision

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, California Legislature

Related:

Sounding the Tocsin for Toxics

1983

Cities throughout Silicon Valley pass Hazardous Materials Model Ordinance which includes “right to know” law, making toxic chemicals public information

Organization(s): Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition and cities within Santa Clara County, CA

Related:

Labor Pushes Toxic Law

1982

1981

Publication of “Unmasking the hazards- a workers guide to job hazards in the electronics industry

Organization(s): SCCOSH

1979

SCCOSH pushes for TCE ban at CAL-OSHA standards board

Organization(s): Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health (SCCOSH)

Related:

ECOSH’s Next Goal: Outright Ban on TCE

1978

Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health formed

Organization(s): Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health

Related:

Santa Clara Center for Occupational Safety and Health (SCCOSH) and Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) Records

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