Weekly Bulletin
 

May 7, 2013

Quick Links 

 

Events and Deadlines
  
May 14 and 16: EICC-ON Webinar for Suppliers
 
May 17: SAQ Revisions Feedback Due
 
November 27-29: WMC Training hosted by AT&S in Shanghai.

More . . .

Submit Information 

Submit articles to Brad Cameron 

by 5 PM EST on Fridays.

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Contact Christina Dobbs to add 

names to the distribution list.

ViaSystems Joins EICC!

 
Viasystems is the newest EICC member.  The electronics manufacturing services provider and PCB manufacturer is based in St. Louis, MO (USA). The company will be represented in EICC by Dr. Brent Grazman, Vice President, Quality.

Welcome aboard!

EICC-ON Webinar for Suppliers:

May 14 and 16

Enablon, the EICC-ON service provider, will host training webinars to help onboard suppliers:
  • US Companies: May 14, at 11 AM ET. Register here.
  • Europe and Asia Companies: May 16, at 9 AM Paris/3 PM Hong Kong. Register here.
Suppliers will learn how to:
  • Register your company on the EICC-ON platform.
  • Activate account and pay fees.
  • Answer SAQs for each facility.
  • Provide customer access to SAQ results.
Contact Laurie Howard for more information.

Webinars for New Environmental Reporting in EICC-ON: May 29/30

 

Mark your calendars and invite your suppliers to learn more about the benefits of environmental reporting through a new EICC-ON tool.

 

Two 1.5-hr webinars are being offered on Wednesday, May 29

An additional session may be added if needed.

 

The new tool will launch in EICC-ON in May 2013. It will replace the EICC Carbon & Water Reporting tool, and now includes reporting of waste. Companies that publicly report environmental metrics and initiatives to CDP or through their own sustainability reports may still be asked by customers to report through EICC-ON, but will receive a shorter list of questions.

 

For more information, contact Liz Abbett or Katie Schindal.

Worker-Management Communication Training:

Host Company Needed

 
The L&CB work group needs one EICC company or supplier to host a 2-½ day session in Q3 of 2013.
 
Host requirements include:
  • Facility large enough to hold 30-40 people.
  • Tea breaks and lunch (EICC and GeSI can provide assistance).
  • Provide tables and chairs for round-table seating.
  • Provide flipcharts with markers for each table and for trainers.
  • Provide water at each table.
  • Provide LCD projector.
  • Provide screen.
  • Provide microphone for trainer and wireless microphone for podium.
Contact Christina Dobbs or Jannie Bailey if you or your supplier can host this session in Malaysia or Singapore.

Protocol and Operations Manual 4.0.2 Released 

 

The VAP Operations Management Team has changed the Validated Audit Program to reflect recent audit guidance decisions and enhancements. The updates include:
  • Changes to the Working Hours rating matrix and corrective action timelines.
  • Enhancements to the Emergency Preparedness guidance to align with fire and life safety standards.
  • Elimination of the General Code Question.
  • Removal of eight questions in the Ethics sections that were focused on Management Systems, and modification of remaining questions.
Users will see two sets of VAP documents on the VAP SharePoint Site:
  • Audit Protocol (the questions and guide used on-site to assess compliance): The audit questions have been streamlined and edited.  There are three versions of the protocol for Manufacturing (version M), Labor Agent/Contractor (L), and Service Provider (S).  An "Opportunities for Improvement" area has been added to allow auditors to pass on best practices (these are not findings but suggestions to the auditee, and therefore are not tracked).
  • VAP Operations Manual (the guide used by all audit firms): The Code interpretation section has been edited to reflect the protocol changes.  Clarifying details have been added to address how and when auditors and auditees need to respond in cases of Priority findings, which can have an impact on life, limb, facility, or community.  Multiple definitions have also been added.   
Effective May 1, 2013, the updated protocols should be used for any new audits scheduled outside of EICC-ON.  The protocol will be loaded in EICC-ON by the end of May.  All new audits in EICC-ON will then be required to use 4.0.2.
 
Click here for a more detailed summary of the 4.0.2 changes.  Contact the APM/VECTRA for specific VAP questions.

China Supplier Carbon Performance Initiative:

Diagnostic Questionnaire Available!

 

EICC will launch a Supplier Carbon Performance initiative to improve in-factory energy efficiency through diagnostic assessments, coaching sessions, and onsite energy audits.  The initiative will also help identify factory investment opportunities and lead to action plans that can be shared.  The activities will be followed by a forum to discuss ongoing challenges and shared potential.

 

The pilot initiative will focus on China, and will accommodate 20-40 suppliers.  Webinar recordings are available here. interested suppliers should complete the no-commitment diagnostic questionnaire by May 16 to generate a report that will indicate the fee, likely areas of improvement, and anticipated financial savings.  Suppliers who join after receiving questionnaire results will pay a fee of approximately 2% of energy costs (starting at roughly US $5,000).

 

Contact Ryan Schuchard for more information.

EICC Task Forces on Transparency and UN Guiding Principles

 

Transparency Task Force

 

The EICC Transparency Task Force (TTF) seeks additional members to promote transparency on social and environmental performance in the electronics sector.  The task force is developing a list of potential material issues and associated key performance indicators to include in a recommendation to members about public transparency.  It is also developing a framework for the recommendations that members will be asked to vote on this summer.

 

Task Force on UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

 

Members can also join a new task force related to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The task force will review a gap analysis that assesses EICC tools and resources against the UNGPs, and will review related recommendations to strengthen the link between the UNGPs and EICC work.  Results from the analysis and stakeholder input will be incorporated into the strategic planning initiative that was started earlier this year.

 

Contact Wendy Dittmer to join either task force, or for more information.

Working Hours Data Collection Template

Join the EICC Pilot Program

 

The EICC Working Hours Data Collection Template is available to help EICC companies collect working hours data from their facilities.  Data collected during a pilot phase will be used to establish a baseline for discussion.

 

The template is part of the EICC strategy on working hours to "make a measurable impact" on this issue by 2014, as adopted by EICC members at the July 2013 membership meeting.  EICC members will be encouraged after the pilot phase to use the template with their suppliers, and to use the data it provides to establish collaborative approaches to reduce excessive overtime.

 

Interested companies may use the templates immediately, and are asked to collect data retroactive to Jan. 1, 2013.  Completed templates will be sent to EICC according to the membership compliance protocols that ensure confidentiality.  All data will be anonymized and used only in aggregate form.

 

Sign Up!

  • Click here to register as a pilot program participant.  
  • Contact Brad Cameron for more information, or for a template and instructions. 
Self Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) Review

 

The EICC Tools Management Work Group has revised the SAQ to: 

  • Reduce the number and improve the clarity of questions.
  • Balance risk with risk management controls.
  • Align with the VAP to help suppliers understand expectations
Click here to view the proposed Facility and Corporate SAQs. 
Please provide input by May 17.  Feedback received after the deadline cannot be considered for this release.  Responses will be provided to all timely suggestions.
 
Submit input through the SAQ Suggestion Template and send to saq@eicc.info.

Need Help?

Contact AMS staff at 202-962-0167


Executive Director: Rob Lederer

Programs: Brad Cameron
Operations: John Flatley
Member Services: Carrie Hoffman
CFS Program Manager: Grant Feichtinger

Membership & Work Group Coordinator: Christina Dobbs 

Membership Compliance: Anne Vogel-Marr

EICC-ON Support: eicc-onhelp@eicc.info

External Communications: Wendy Dittmer (P. 512-934-8922)