John, Let's not forget the Tuna industry and the "Dolphin Safe" nets they use... Just another bullet for the smoking gun... (Not using lead bullets of course, they're tin bullets! HaHa) Later... -----Original Message----- From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Burke Sent: Tuesday, May 02, 2006 11:06 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [TN] NTC BUT- Tin industry appears to have some serious supply chain exploitation issues Importance: High Hi everyone, I was just sent a report (which made me very angry - a somewhat unusual condition) that states that there is continuing and increasing exploitation of cheap labor under appalling conditions to supply the increased tin requirements in electronics. This report specifically targets Africa The report has quotes from several of the solder companies decrying the practice, BUT the tin industry HAS a research facility. Perhaps it is time to call for a couple of urgent research action items: 1 Research and tighten up the supply chain to stop the exploitation of people. 2 Research and tighten the supply chain to stop purchase of illegally mined raw materials which currently is having to massive eco-system impacts. Not too put too fine a point on it - if Starbucks can guarantee where it's coffees come from, and KNOW what prices were paid to the goods producers....................why can't the tin industry the logistics are very similar. And while writing, as an industry we have intensive detailed labeling requirements for lead-free products. How about a labeling system for solder packaging that guarantees "no human exploitation" and "no eco-system destruction"? Take a look. I have linked the report from the home page menu at Pushback <http://rohsusa.com/> hit the "Tin Industry issues" button option and if you have comments please use the "contact us" button on the web site. John --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 ----------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------