EICC consulting at Jahwa Vina

Project report from 2016. Company information, scale, plans and results reflect the original article at that time and do not establish current status.

About Jahwa Vina

Jahwa Vina is a wholly Korean-invested company established in 2007 and officially operating from 2010. It manufactures electronic components for products including mobile phones, computers, televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, printers and automobiles. The original report describes a sustainable-development strategy involving modern industrial equipment, product-quality improvements, market development and production expansion. It reported revenue of nearly VND 2 trillion in 2015 and VND 545 billion in the first quarter of 2016, with stable employment for more than 6,000 workers and average monthly income above VND 7 million per person. The company also emphasised human-resource development, improved environmental and working conditions, and opportunities for employee development, aiming to become a good workplace.

The 2016 EICC consulting project

In response to Samsung Vietnam’s requirements, Jahwa Vina established and implemented the EICC Code of Conduct. The project supported good working conditions, social responsibility, fair competition and business integrity.

The EICC Code and its implementation approach

The EICC Code of Conduct of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition established standards for safe working conditions, dignified and respectful treatment of workers, environmentally responsible operations and ethical business in electronics supply chains.

For the purposes of the Code, the electronics industry included organisations involved in designing, marketing, manufacturing or supplying goods and services used to make electronic products. Electronics businesses could voluntarily adopt the Code and apply it to their supply chains and subcontractors, including contract-labor providers.

To adopt the EICC Code as a participant, a company should confirm its support and actively pursue conformance with its requirements through an appropriate management system.

Participants should treat EICC implementation as a supply-chain initiative and, at a minimum, require next-tier suppliers to acknowledge and implement the Code.

A fundamental principle is that a business must comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations in every country where it operates.

The Code encouraged participants to go beyond legal compliance and draw on recognised international standards to improve environmental and social responsibility and business ethics. Consistent with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, it drew on major international human-rights standards, including the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. EICC sought regular stakeholder input as it developed and implemented its Code.

Based on its review, ITVC Global’s EICC consulting team described implementation as bringing together management practices concerning quality, the environment, occupational health and safety, and social responsibility.

The EICC Code had five sections: A — Labor, B — Health and Safety, C — Environment, D — Ethics, and E — Management Systems, supporting conformance with the Code.

The original article lists the following EICC topics:

A. Labor

1. Freely chosen employment
2. Child labor
3. Working hours
4. Wages and benefits
5. Humane treatment
6. Non-discrimination
7. Freedom of association

B. Health and Safety

1. Occupational safety
2. Emergency preparedness
3. Occupational injury and illness
4. Industrial hygiene
5. Physically demanding work
6. Machine safeguarding
7. Sanitation, food and housing
8. Health and safety communication

C. Environment

1. Environmental permits and reporting
2. Pollution prevention and resource reduction
3. Hazardous substances
4. Wastewater and solid waste
5. Air emissions
6. Materials restrictions
7. Stormwater management
8. Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

D. Ethics

1. Business integrity
2. No improper advantage
3. Disclosure of information
4. Intellectual property
5. Fair business, advertising and competition
6. Protection of identity and non-retaliation
7. Responsible sourcing of minerals
8. Privacy

E. Management Systems

1. Company commitment
2. Management accountability and responsibility
3. Legal and customer requirements
4. Risk assessment and risk management
5. Improvement objectives
6. Training
7. Communication
8. Worker feedback and participation
9. Audits and assessments
10. Corrective action process
11. Documentation and records
12. Supplier responsibility

ITVC congratulated Jahwa Vina on implementing the EICC social-responsibility Code of Conduct.

EICC consulting

RBA — Current Code of Conduct