• Browse by: category | company | brand | product type  
  • HOME
  • THE GUIDE
  • ISSUES
  • GET INFORMED
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US
  • All  |
  • Baby  |
  • Clothing  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household  |
  • Office Supplies  |
  • Personal Care  |
  • Pet  |
  • Retail  |
  • Technology  |
  • Toys
  • |  Print Guide  |
  • App
  • Clothing  |
  • Electronics  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household & Personal Care
  • Issues  |
  • New! Clothing  |
  • Why Shop Ethically?  |
  • 5 Principles  |
  • Companies to avoid  |
  • News  |
  • Sign Up for Updates
  • Go ethical at school, work, home  |
  • Campaign  |
  • Spread the Word  |
  • Volunteer  |
  • Workshops  |
  • Movie Nights  |
  • Fundraising
  • All Products  |
  • Shop Ethical! app  |
  • Shop Ethical! book  |
  • Stockists  |
  • Other books  |
  • Fregie sacks  |
  • FREE STUFF!  |
  • DONATE
  • Introduction  |
  • About Us  |
  • Ratings & Assessment  |
  • Media Mentions  |
  • Testimonials  |
  • FAQ

Samsung Group

OVERALL

Owned
KOR
Rating
Criticisms

Industrial Group

South Korea's #1 business group (Hyundai is #2). Businesses arms include electronics, trading, financial services and chemicals.

Samsung Group   KOR     website         

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Samsung Group
Social Forced labour in China
The Chinese government has facilitated the mass transfer of Uyghur and other ethnic minority citizens from the far west region of Xinjiang to factories across the country. Under conditions that strongly suggest forced labour, Uyghurs are working in factories that are in the supply chains of at least 83 well-known global brands in the technology, clothing and automotive sectors, including brands owned by this company. The Australian Strategic Policy Institute's 2020 report estimates (somewhat conservatively) that more than 80,000 Uyghurs were transferred out of Xinjiang to work in factories across China between 2017 and 2019, and some of them were sent directly from detention camps.
Source: ASPI (2020)
Social Financing cluster munitions producers
The 2017 update to the report entitled "Worldwide Investments in Cluster Munitions: a Shared Responsibility" identifies 166 banks and other financial institutions with financial links to cluster munitions producers. This bank is listed in the report's Hall of Shame for having investments in one or more of the 6 cluster munitions producers named in the report between 1 June 2013 to 17 March 2017.
Source: Cluster Munition Coalition (2017)
Business Ethics Tax avoidance
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for the likely use of tax avoidance strategies, and has at least two high risk subsidiaries in tax havens.
Source: Ethical Consumer (2022)
Social Action on Darfur
Identified in 'The Big Chill: Too Scared to Speak' report which identified Chinese Olympic Sponsors response to Darfur crisis in Sudan. Received a D-. These companies received a grade slightly higher than outright failure because they met with the campaign. Notably, Samsung sent two executives to New York from South Korea for a meeting with campaign.
Source: Dream for Dafur (2008)
Social Most controversial companies of 2012
This company appeared fourth on RepRisk's top ten "most environmentally and socially controversial companies of 2012". Companies on the list were severely criticised during 2012 by the world's media, governments and NGOs. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: RepRisk (2013)
Social Most controversial companies of 2013
This company appeared tenth on RepRisk's top ten "Most Controversial Companies of 2013". Companies on the list were severely criticised during 2013 by the world's media, governments and NGOs. Criticisms of Samsung Group included occupational, health and safety issues and poor employment conditions at its factories as well as human rights abuses, including child labor, within its supply chain. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: RepRisk (2013)
Environment Product carbon footprint label
This company has products that are certified by the Carbon Trust, signifying that the carbon footprint of selected products has been measured, managed and reduced. A life cycle product carbon footprint is determined by calculating the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by a product, from extraction of raw-materials, to end-of-life.
Source: Carbon Trust (2021)
Business Ethics Sustainability claims
This company has extensive sustainability claims on its website in the areas of strategy, corporate citizenship, environment, diversity & inclusion, responsible labor practice, supply chain, ethics, report & policy, and facts & figures.


Source: company website (2020)
Business Ethics ESAP signatory
This company is a signatory to WRAP's Electrical and Electronic Equipment Action Plan (esap). Signatories take collective action to reduce their environmental impact and sign up to contribute to the development and implementation of esap.
Source: WRAP (2017)
Environment Supply chain practices in China
This company received a score of 45.2/100 (retrieved 10-Oct-2020) in the Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI), a system for evaluating supply chain practices in China, particularly in regards to environmental management and water pollution. Scores are calculated using government compliance data, online monitoring data, and third-party environmental audits, as well as trends in the environmental performance of factories in the company's supply chains.
Source: IPE (2020)
Social Military - previous involvement
In 2014 Samsung Group sold four chemical and defense units to Hanwha Group for an estimated US$1.7 billion. The deal makes Hanwha Korea's main defense giant, and includes Samsung Techwin (now Hanwha Techwin), maker of armoured tanks and other weapons for the South Korean army and the Turkish army.
Source: news article (2014)
Business Ethics Nuclear power
Samsung C&T Corporation is involved in the construction of nuclear power plants in the UAE.
Source: company website (2013)
Information Facing Finance profile
This company is listed on the Facing Finance website as a company that manufactures weapons or profits from violations of human rights, pollution, corruption, or international law. Follow link for further details.
Source: Facing Finance (2015)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Group
Revenue 269 billion USD (2012)
Employees 425,000 (2012)
Subsidiaries Samsung Electronics Co Ltd 

Consumer electronics

Established in 1969, the flagship company in the Samsung Group operates in consumer electronics, information technology, mobile communications and device solutions.


  - Samsung Electronics Australia Pty Ltd 

Electronics wholesaler

Sales and marketing subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, part of the Samsung Group.


  - Harman International Industries Inc 

Electronics

Harmans business units are: connected car technology, lifestyle audio, and professional audio and lighting solutions. Acquired by Samsung in 2017.

Contact Details

Address Seoul, Republic of Korea
Website www.samsung.com

Products / Brands

Samsung Australia
Gear VR VR Headsets
Samsung Laptops
Samsung Storage Media
Samsung Tablets
Samsung Audio Equipment
Samsung Blu-Ray/DVD Players
Samsung Televisions
Samsung Cameras/Camcorders
Samsung Smartphones
Samsung Smartwatches
Samsung Air Conditioners
Samsung Dishwashers
Samsung Fridges & Freezers
Samsung Microwaves
Samsung Ovens & Cooktops
Samsung Washing Machines & Dryers
Samsung Vacuum Cleaners
Samsung Printers
Samsung Soundbars
Samsung Computer monitors
Samsung Galaxy Buds True Wireless Earbuds

Harman
JBL Soundbars
JBL Bluetooth Speakers
JBL True Wireless Earbuds


  • About Us

    • Introduction
    • About Shop Ethical!
    • About ECG
    • About the Ratings
    • Assessment sources
    • Shop Ethical! database
    • Shop Ethical! book
    • Shop Ethical! app
    • Contact us
    • FAQ

    • Copyright
    • Privacy
    • Disclaimer
  • Get Informed

    • ISSUES
    • GET INFORMED
    • Electronics Guide
    • Clothing Guide
    • Values Screen
    • Why Shop Ethically?
    • 5 Principles
    • Be Inspired
    • Calendar
    • Local Harvest
  • Get Involved

    • GET INVOLVED
    • Go Ethical at school,
      work, home, church
    • Run a workshop or tour
    • Host a movie night
    • Spread the word
    • Resources
    • Volunteer
    • Support us
  • Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Suggest brand/company
    • Report an error
    • Give feedback
    • Sign up for updates
    • Past newsletters
    • >>DONATE<<

    • GET the GUIDE
        • App Store
        • Google Play
        • buy our book