BlackBerry uses a risk-based approach for monitoring supplier conformance to our Supplier Code of Conduct. In fiscal 2012, BlackBerry established an enhanced process for evaluating supplier social and environmental responsibility (SER) risk and prioritizing suppliers for assessments. The first step is a high-level risk assessment based on such factors as supplier location, commodity, relationship and history. The high-level risk assessment intended to be conducted annually on our identified supplier list. The output of this assessment is a prioritized list of suppliers, who will be required to complete detailed self-assessments. BlackBerry intends to use the EICC-ON system to gather this information. BlackBerry supports a common industry solution to supplier SER management and is actively engaged in the continued development of the system through work with EICC. BlackBerry has formalized a process for reviewing the supplier self-assessments and plans to use the results as an input to BlackBerry’s SER audit schedule.

BlackBerry supports the principle of freely chosen employment and does not support the use of slave labor in any of its forms, including forced labor and child labor.

Like many other companies in our sector, we conduct on-site audits to check that our suppliers are complying with our Supplier Code of Conduct. We also recognize that auditing is only one of a number of tools that can be used to help drive improvements in supply chain performance. We are interested in developing additional sustainable solutions and in this respect BlackBerry is a co-leader of the EICC/GeSI Learning & Capability Work Group. During 2011 the group developed and launched supply chain training programs focused on health and safety in the workplace and worker-management communications, including sessions hosted by BlackBerry suppliers.

BlackBerry is participating in the EICC’s carbon reporting system. Through this system we will survey many of our direct suppliers of materials, which will give us insight into the carbon emissions associated with BlackBerry’s supply chain. It will help us to identify areas for improvement and opportunities to work with suppliers on projects to reduce carbon emissions. It will also help to raise awareness within our supply chain of the impact of carbon emissions on the environment and the benefits that can be gained through reduction programs.

It is widely recognised that control over the valuable raw material resources of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and surrounding countries has contributed to armed conflict and serious cases of human rights abuses in the region. BlackBerry does not support the use of minerals that are illegally mined, transported or traded, nor metals derived from such minerals, including gold, tantalum (columbite-tantalite), tin (cassiterite) and tungsten (wolframite). In January 2012, BlackBerry published a Responsible Minerals Policy to clearly state our position. 

In fiscal 2012, BlackBerry joined the Solutions for Hope project which aims to create a process to deliver conflict-free tantalum material from the DRC in accordance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. The process is based on a "closed pipe" principle in which tantalite ore mined from specific sites within the DRC is traced along its secure supply chain to the smelter. The smelter, who is a participant in the CFS Program, converts the ore to capacitor grade powder and wire that is then shipped to AVX Corporation, who in turn manufactures the capacitors and ships them to participating customers, including BlackBerry. Not only does this program help to ensure that tantalum used in our products comes from verifiably conflict-free sources, but it also provides hope to the small artisanal miners and communities who rely on this work to support themselves and their families.