Consumers both need and want to know pertinent information in order to make informed decisions when spending hard-earned dollars. This is particularly important since most consumers are unaware of the toxic footprint and legacy of consumer electronics production, ranging from extensive groundwater pollution to serious occupational illness and air pollution. See page Appendix C on page 25 for a description of the methodology used in this report. The U.S. high-tech industry has often been lauded as the global leader in technology developments as well as a leader in disclosing environmental information. They scored near the bottom of the Suppliers and Occupational Health categories.
American companies exhibit the opposite trend.
More American than Japanese companies scored better in the Suppliers and Occupational Health categories and near the bottom of most of the rest of the categories. Korean companies are at the bottom of every category. European companies are scattered, mostly in the middle and high ranges, but do well on reporting on energy. Similar legislation in Japan for certain products has passed and will soon take effect. In anticipation of this legislation, some US companies have instituted take-back programs in Europe and Asia.