Consumer electronics
Founded in 1976. Today Apple is the world's largest IT company. Products include iPod, iPhone, iPad, Mac, iTunes, Apple TV.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Oct 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Apple Inc
Praise
Criticism
Information
82.18% for supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 82.18/100 (retrieved 24 Oct 2024).
Source: IPE
(2024)
CDP Climate Change score of A-
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A-.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Green Power Partner
This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA) as using renewable energy for 104% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA.
Source: EPA
(2023)
A+ in toxic chemical ranking
In 2021 the Mind the Store campaign ranked 50 of the largest retailers in North America on their efforts to eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer products. This company received a grade of A+.
Source: Mind the Store
(2021)
83.7% in conflict minerals rankings
As You Sow's 2019 report, Mining the Disclosures, is a deep analysis of 215 companies' human rights performance in relation to sourcing conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This company's score was 83.7% (Leading).
Source: As You Sow
(2019)
81.1/100 in Newsweek rankings
America's Most Responsible Companies 2022 by Newsweek and Statista recognises the Top 500 most responsible companies in the United States. Companies were evaluated in three areas: environmental (waste, energy use, etc.), social (leadership diversity, employees and philanthropy) and governance (transparency and economic performance). This company received a total score of 81.1/100, ranking 20th in the Technology Hardware sector, and 104th overall.
Source: Newsweek
(2021)
JUST Capital ranking
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2024 rankings the public identified 20 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 17th of 937 companies, and 2nd of 16 Technology Hardware companies.
Source: JUST Capital
(2024)
63.4% in Digital Inclusion Benchmark
The 2023 Digital Inclusion Benchmark ranks 200 companies on their responsibility to advance a more inclusive digital society. The companies were assessed using four measurement areas: access, skills, use and innovation. This company ranked #4/200, with a total score of 63.4/100.
Climate policy engagement
InfluenceMap's 2021 A-List of Climate Policy Engagement identifies 15 corporate leaders advocating for ambitious climate policy across a range of sectors and regions. To qualify, a company must exhibit sufficient support for ambitious climate policy, strategic levels of engagement with climate policy, and leadership in its sector. Links to industry associations egregiously opposing climate policy can disqualify a company from the list. The report also offers 21 'Potential Leaders', including his company, which appear to be on the right track.
Source: Influence Map
(2021)
12/18 in Net Zero scorecard
As You Sow's 2022 report, 'Road to Zero Emissions', assessed the progress of 55 of the largest U.S. corporations in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with the Paris Agreement's objective of limiting global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, which requires achieving "net zero" emissions by 2050. Companies are graded on: climate related disclosures; GHG reduction targets, and GHG reductions. This company received an Overall Net Zero grade of B-.
Source: As You Sow
(2022)
52/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2022 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 information, communications and technology (ICT) companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 52/100. The average score was 20/100 and the highest score was 63.
Source: KnowTheChain
(2022)
31.6% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 31.6%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2021)
11.5/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 11.5/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
60/100 in TIME rankings
World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2024 by TIME and Statista recognises the Top 500 most sustainable companies in the world. From a selection of 5,000 of the world's largest companies, non-sustainable businesses were excluded, and the remaining companies were rated on Commitment & Ratings, Reporting & Transparency, and Environmental & Social Stewardship. This company received a total score of 59.6/100, ranking 313rd overall.
Source: TIME
(2024)
Global 100
The 2024 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list by Corporate Knights is based on a rigorous assessment of nearly 7,000 public companies with revenue over US$1 billion. All companies are scored on sustainable revenue and investment, gender and racial diversity, CEO pay versus employee average, CEO bonuses based on sustainability performance, taxes paid and contributions to employee pensions. This company ranked #71 in the Global 100, with an overall score of C+.
Source: Corporate Knights
(2024)
Poisoned workers in China
The 2017 documentary 'Complicit' reveals how Chinese workers making Apple consumer electronics are exposed to poisonous chemicals, in particular cleaning solutions containing benzene. The landmark investigation led Apple to ban the use of benzene, a known carcinogen, and n-hexane, a chemical that damages the nervous system. But the ban does not apply to subcontractors who make up two-thirds of Apple's supply chain.
Source: ABC
(2018)
Involvement with Burma
This company appears on Burma Campaign UK's 'Dirty List' of companies assisting the Burmese military to continue to commit human rights violations and environmental destruction. The Apple App Store carries applications for Burmese military-owned companies, including Mytel.
Source: Burma Campaign UK
(2023)
Forced labour in China
The Chinese government has facilitated the mass transfer of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from the far west region of Xinjiang to factories across the country. Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including brands owned by this company. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's 2020 report estimates (somewhat conservatively) that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred out of Xinjiang to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019, and some of them were sent directly from detention camps.
Source: ASPI
(2020)
Workers rights in China
A 2023 report by China Labor Watch investigated labour conditions in China's consumer electronics sector using three stages of research: analysis of social media posts, case studies through online research, and in-person factory investigation. Labour abuses in factories supplying this company were identified in multiple social media posts and two factory investigations. Labour abuses include excessive working hours, illegal use of student interns, wage theft and wage arrear, poor food and/or living conditions, high labour intensity, workplace bullying and verbal abuse, and deception.
Source: China Labor Watch
(2023)
CEO Pay Ratio of 1,177:1
In 2022 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$84,493. The CEO was paid 1,177 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Source: AFL-CIO
(2023)
Fined $2b over App Store restrictions
In 2024 Apple was fined 1.8 billion euros by the EU after an investigation found it had limited competition from music streaming services such as Spotify. The European Commission also ordered the Apple to stop preventing music-streaming apps from informing users of cheaper deals away from Apple's App Store. The larger than expected fine is the first to be handed out to Apple by the EU.
Source: The Guardian
(2024)
$500m iPhone throttling settlement
In 2020 a US$500 million settlement was reached between Apple and customers to resolve a multidistrict litigation claiming that the tech giant intentionally released iPhone updates that would slow older phone models and eventually require the users to buy new phones. Allegedly, these updates could slow the functions of the older iPhones so much that customers could no longer use the phones. According to the iPhone class action lawsuits, many customers were effectively forced into purchasing a new phone because their older iPhone no longer worked. The customers argued that Apple was unjustly enriched by this practice and claimed that the practice harmed consumers financially. The class action lawsuits were later combined into a multidistrict litigation.
Source: Top Class Actions
(2020)
Tax avoidance in Europe
In 2024 Apple was ordered to pay back the Irish state up to 13bn euros in back taxes after the European Commission ruled that a sweetheart tax deal between Apple and the Irish tax authorities amounted to illegal state aid.
Source: Politico
(2024)
D+ grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of D+.
Source: As You Sow
(2024)
44% in Big Tech Scorecard
Ranking Digital Rights (RDR) evaluates and ranks 14 of the world's most powerful digital platforms on their policies and practices affecting people's rights to freedom of expression and privacy. In RDR's 2022 Big Tech Scorecard, none of the digital platforms earned a passing grade. This company ranked #6/14, with a total score of 44/100.
Source: Ranking Digital Rights
(2022)
Repairability of devices
Engineers from ifixit.com disassembled and analysed a range of consumer electronics products, awarding each a repairability score between one and ten. Ten is the easiest to repair. A device with a perfect score will be relatively inexpensive to repair because it is easy to disassemble and has a service manual available. Each device is scored based on how difficult and time-consuming it is to disassemble and reassemble the product to fix or replace critical components. Points are docked where proprietary tools are needed, and points are awarded for comprehensive service manuals and wide availability of parts. Phones and smartwatches released by this company in 2023 scored 3-4 points out of 10.
Source: iFixit
(2023)
Tax avoidance
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for the likely use of tax avoidance strategies, and has at least two high risk subsidiaries in tax havens.
Source: Ethical Consumer
(2022)
37/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 37/100 in the Computers & Peripherals and Office Electronics category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 16 Dec 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global
(2022)
Fined for aggressive data practices
In 2021 Apple and Google were fined 10 million euros apiece by Italy's competition and market authority (AGCM) which has found they did not provide their users with clear enough information on commercial uses of their data - in violation of the country's consumer code. The regulator also accuses the pair of deploying "aggressive" practices to push users to accept the commercial processing. The AGCM also accused Apple of failing to immediately provide users with clear information on how it uses their information commercially when they create an Apple ID or access its digital stores, such as the App Store.
Source: Tech Crunch
(2021)
Excessive CEO pay
As You Sow's 2023 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Timothy D. Cook came in at number 10 on the list, having been paid US$98,734,394 in 2022. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
Source: As You Sow
(2023)
Retirement plan investments
The Invest Your Values Corporate Retirement Plan Sustainability Scorecard by As You Sow rates retirement plans on seven environmental and social sustainability issues. This company's default corporate retirement plan offered to employees is the BlackRock Global LifePath Index which is rated Fair for gender equality and civilian firearms, and Poor for fossil fuels, deforestation, prison industrial complex, military weapons and tobacco.
Source: As You Sow
(2022)
Dutch antitrust fines
In 2022 the Dutch Authority for Consumers & Market (ACM) levied a sixth fine (of 5 million euros) against Apple for non-compliance with an order to allow local dating apps to have the option to use third party payment tech to sell digital content to their app users. Follow the link for more.
Source: Tech Crunch
(2022)
Anti-trust fines in Spain and Italy
In 2023 Spain's antitrust authority fined Amazon and Apple a total of 194 million euros for unfairly restricting competition around the reselling and marketing of Apple kit and other products on the e-commerce giant's local e-commerce marketplace. Apple's share of the fine was 143 million euros. In 2021 Italy's competition watchdog hit Amazon and Apple with a 258 million euro penalty for alleged collusion in a similar case related to the reselling of Apple and Apple-owned Bears kit on Amazon.
Source: Tech Crunch
(2023)
Workers rights in China
This 2012 report by China Labour Watch investigates ten Chinese factories supplying to Apple. The report reveals many labour violations in these factories, including long hours, excessive overtime, dangerous working conditions, low wages, and underpaid workers. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: China Labor Watch
(2012)
Workers rights in China
Biel Crystal supplies 60% of the world's touchscreen cover glasses, including 60% of Apple products' cover glasses. This SACOM 2013 investigative report discovered serious labour rights abuses in Biel Crystal's Chinese factories including excessive working hours, military-style management, worker suicides and blank work contracts. Moreover, Biel Crystal's Shenzhen factory has been fined by the Shenzhen municipal government for 3 continuous years of polluting the environment. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: SACOM
(2013)
Workers rights at Foxconn in China
In this 2012 investigative report SACOM revisited Foxconn's plants in Zhengzhou, China, whose sole product is the iPhone. Workers are still facing deplorably harsh working conditions including excessive overtime, unpaid overtime, meager wages, inadequate training and protection for workers, arbitrary relocation of workforce, crackdown on strikes, and inhumane management practices. [Listed under information due to age of report]
Source: SACOM
(2012)
Workers rights in China
This 2014 report by China Labour Watch (CLW) investigates working conditions at a Chinese factory supplying to Apple. The report reveals many labour violations in this factory, including long hours, excessive overtime, dangerous working conditions, low wages, and underpaid workers. CLW investigated the same factory 16 months earlier, and conditions worsened during that time. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: China Labor Watch
(2014)
Chemical poisoning of workers
The Poisonous Pearl is a 2016 report by Good Electronics which focuses on the experiences of (former) workers in the electronics industry in China who are victims of chemical poisoning. The health of all the workers in the report was damaged by exposure to hazardous chemicals such as benzene and n-hexane. All were working in large or small factories in the Pearl River Delta-region of China, an area well known as being a global hub for the production of consumer electronics (ICT). This company is supplied by factories in the region.
Source: SOMO
(2016)
Wage fixing
This company was one of four companies that agreed to pay a total of US$324m to settle a class action lawsuit accusing them of conspiring to hold down salaries in Silicon Valley by agreeing not to recruit or poach employees from each other. However in Aug 2014 a US court rejected this settlement on the basis that more than 60,000 top-level workers were affected, saying that the amount should be larger. The settlement amount was changed to US$415m in 2015. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: news article
(2015)
Price fixing in USA
In 2016 the US supreme court decided not to hear Apple's appeal against a 2015 court decision that it conspired with five publishers to increase ebook prices, meaning it will have to pay US$450m as part of a settlement. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: The Guardian
(2016)
Copyright violations in China
In 2013 a Chinese court fined Apple US$160,400 over a copyright infringement, saying the company sold pirated electronic books via its App Store. Under the court ruling, Apple must pay compensation to eight Chinese writers and two companies for violating their copyright. Apple also paid 60 million yuan (US$9.62m) in 2013 to a China's Proview Technology, to settle a dispute over the iPad trademark in China.
Source: news article
(2013)
App Store practices
The Coalition for App Fairness is a coalition of companies including Spotify, Epic Games (maker of Fortnite) and Match Group (maker of Tinder), who aim to reach a fairer deal for the inclusion of their apps into the Apple App Store. Their criticisms of Apple include anti-competitive policies, the arbitrary 30% "App Tax" on creators and consumers, and monopoly power over software distribution to iOS devices.
A rating at ClickClean.org
Greenpeace's 2017 report 'Clicking Clean' looks at the energy footprints of large data centre operators and popular websites and applications, and calls on these companies to power their data centres on renewable energy. Companies are graded (A,B,C,D,F) on their commitment to and procurement of renewable energy, as well as energy efficiency, transparency and advocacy. This company's final grade was A. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Greenpeace
(2017)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
B- in Guide to Greener Electronics
This company received a grade of B- in the Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics (Oct 2017), which assesses companies from the electronics industry across three impact areas: energy use, resource consumption, and chemical elimination. Of the 17 companies ranked, this company came second. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Greenpeace
(2017)
B+ grade at Behind the Barcode
B+ grade in the Baptist World Aid Australia's Behind the Barcode 'Ethical Electronics Guide 2016', which grades companies on their efforts to mitigate the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation throughout their supply chains. Assessment criteria fall into four main categories: policies, traceability & transparency, monitoring & training and worker rights. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Child labour in gold mining
This 2016 scorecard by SOMO compares electronics companies on their policies and efforts regarding responsible mining and the elimination of child labour, with special attention to the mining of gold. This company is above industry standard on 5 out of 7 criteria.
Source: Stop Child Labour
(2016)
Cobalt battery supply chain
A 2017 report by Amnesty International, 'Time to Recharge' ranks major electronics and car companies on how much they have improved their cobalt sourcing practices since January 2016. The report found that while a handful of companies have made progress, many are still not doing enough to stop human rights abuses entering their cobalt supply chains, even though their products could be linked to child labour in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This company was rated 'adequate action taken'. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Amnesty Intl
(2017)
Conflict Minerals Ranking
In November 2017 the Enough Project published Demand the Supply, which ranked consumer electronics and jewelry retail companies on their efforts to develop conflict-free minerals supply chains from Congo. Companies were ranked on reporting; sourcing conflict-free minerals from Congo; supporting the artisanal mining communities in Eastern Congo; and conflict-free minerals advocacy. This company received the highest overall score. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: Enough Project
(2017)
PETA's 2023 Company of the Year
In 2023 PETA awarded this company its Company of the Year award in recognition of Apple's decision to end its use of animal leather across all lines of its merchandise, as part of its goal to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Source: PETA
(2023)
Responsible Minerals Initiative member
This company is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative), which helps companies address conflict minerals issues in their supply chains. The RMI provides information on conflict-free smelters and refiners, common tools to gather sourcing information, and forums for exchanging best practices on addressing conflict minerals. Membership is open to companies that use or transact in tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold (3TG). Founded in 2008 by members of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative.
Source: RMI
(2019)
PPA Participant
This company is a participant in the Public-Private Alliance for Responsible Minerals Trade (PPA), a multi-sector and multi-stakeholder initiative to support supply chain solutions to conflict minerals challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes Region (GLR) of Central Africa. The PPA provides funding and coordination support to organizations working within the region to develop verifiable conflict-free supply chains; align chain-of-custody programs and practices; encourage responsible sourcing from the region; promote transparency; and bolster in-region civil society and governmental capacity.
Source: PPA
(2024)
Responsible Business Alliance member
This company is a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (formerly the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition), a non-profit coalition of electronics companies which supports the rights and wellbeing of workers and communities worldwide affected by the global electronics supply chain. RBA members commit and are held accountable to a common Code of Conduct and utilize a range of RBA training and assessment tools to support continuous improvement in the social, environmental and ethical responsibility of their supply chains.
Source: RBA
(2022)
Environmental responsibility claims
This company has extensive environmental responsibility claims on its website.
Source: company website
(2020)
Plastics Commitment signatory
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Source: New Plastics Economy
(2022)
GC3 member (Green Chemistry)
This company is a member of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), a business-to-business forum that advances the application of green chemistry and design for environment across supply chains. It provides an open forum for cross-sectoral collaboration to share information and experiences about the challenges to and opportunities for safer chemicals and products.
Source: GC3
(2019)
US recycling report card
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition's Recycling Report Card evaluates takeback and recycling programs for computer, TV, printer and game console companies. The report card focuses on the programs available to consumers in the US, and relies on publicly available information, as of Sept 2010. This company received a grade of C+ for its recycling efforts in the USA.
FLA investigation of Foxconn
A 2012 audit of Foxconn performed by the Fair Labor Association at the request of Apple Inc. found excessive overtime and problems with overtime compensation; several health and safety risks; and crucial communication gaps that have led to a widespread sense of unsafe working conditions among workers.
Source: Fair Labor Association
(2012)
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website
(2017)
BHRRC company profile
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre digital platform presents news and allegations relating to the human rights impact of over 20,000 companies. Their enhanced Company Dashboards also include financial information, key data points based on corporate policies, and scores from prominent civil society benchmarks. Follow the link and use the search function to view this company's dashboard.
Source: BHRRC
(2022)
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets
(2024)
Criticism of Apple Inc - Wikipedia
Apple has received much criticism for the use of sweatshop labor, environmental destruction, and unethical business practices as a result of the method they undertake to produce electronics. See an extensive list of criticisms on Wikipedia by following the link below.
Source: Wikipedia
(2014)
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Revenue:
229 billion USD
(2017)
Employees:
123,000
(2017)
Subsidiaries:
Apple Pty Ltd
Consumer electronics
Operated in Australia since 1982. Imports and distributes Apple branded consumer electronics and software.
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Apple Australia
Apple AirPods
Wireless Earbuds
Apple HomePod
Smart Speakers
Apple Mac
Desktop Computers
Apple Macbook
Laptops
Apple Music
Music Streaming
Apple TV
Video Streaming
Apple TV
Media Streaming Devices
Apple Watch
Smartwatches
Beats
Wireless Earbuds
iMessage
Messaging
iOS
Software
iPad
E-readers
iPad
Tablets
iPhone
Smartphones