Seven Public Buyers Affiliate to Electronics Watch
Since our last newsletter seven public buyers from five countries have affiliated to Electronics Watch: la Direction des Achats de l'État in France, KU Leuven in Belgium, ITDZ Berlin and Ludwigsburg City Council in Germany, Cardiff Metropolitan University and North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium in the UK, and Monash University in Australia.
Björn Claeson, Director of Electronics Watch, said: “We are thrilled to welcome such a diverse group of new affiliates, and look forward to working together to protect the rights of workers in their electronics supply chains. With their affiliation to Electronics Watch they are joining forces with over 400 public buyers in 11 countries in and outside of Europe to eliminate forced labour and other abuses in electronics supply chains."
La Direction des Achats de l'État (DAE, the Procurement Directorate of the French State), France
Affiliation to Electronics Watch is one of several recent initiatives undertaken by DAE to strengthen social and environmental responsibility within its procurement practice. It is the first affiliated public buyer in France.
KU Leuven, Belgium
KU Leuven was the winner of the Fair ICT Awards 2020 for its holistic approach to sustainability, and its efforts to integrate human rights concerns in its procurement processes. It pioneered the integration of supplier dialogue in its tenders of laptops and multifunctional devices.
IT Service Center Berlin (ITDZ Berlin), Germany
ITDZ Berlin is the Central IT Service Provider for the Berlin administration. “We are shaping Berlin’s digital future”. (Kai-Mara Friedetzky, Corporate Communications, ITDZ)
Ludwigsburg City Council, Germany
“Through our membership of Electronics Watch, we aim to strengthen workers' rights in the electronics supply chain and fulfil our due diligence obligations as a public purchaser.“ Dr. Matthias Knecht (Lord Mayor of the City of Ludwigsburg)
North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC), UK
“This is part of NEUPC’s ongoing commitment to Responsible Procurement and follows a wider discussion and agreement with our 23 Higher Education (HE) Members. NEUPC’s affiliate membership of Electronics Watch will help to collaborate and lead with further due diligence across our HE supplier base, and to improve transparency and minimise risks as part of UKUPC’s wider strategy.” Lorraine Whelan (Head of Operational Procurement, NEUPC)