Sharp Australia
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Owned |
TWN |
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Business and consumer electronics
Products for home (entertainment, kitchen, solar panels) and for business (computers and office equipment).
Company Ownership
Sharp Corporation of Australia Pty Ltd | AUS | website | ||||
Sharp Corporation ![]() owns 100% of Sharp Corporation of Australia Pty Ltd |
JPN | website | ||||
Consumer electronics Manufacture and sell digital information equipment, health and environment equipment, solar cells, business solutions, LCD and electronic devices. Products sold in 140 countries. Acquired by Foxconn in 2016. | ||||||
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd ![]() owns 66% of Sharp Corporation |
TWN | website | ||||
Electronic manufacturing services Founded in 1974 by Terry Gou, it is the world's largest Electronic Manufacturing Services company with more than 200 subsidiaries (including more than 40 carrying the Foxconn name) in Asia, the Americas and Europe. It designs and manufactures computers, consumer electronics, communications and other products. Customers include Apple, Microsoft, Dell, Nokia and Sony. |
Company Assessment
PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
Sharp Corporation of Australia Pty Ltd | ||||
Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020) |
According to data released by the Australian Tax Office in Dec 2018, this company was one of 2,159 local and foreign-based companies that paid no tax in Australia in 2016-17. Please note however that companies pay income tax on profits, not revenue (total income). While some companies use tax havens and loopholes to avoid paying their fair share of tax in Australia, other companies that paid no tax have perfectly legitimate reasons.
Source: ATO (2018) |
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Sharp Corporation | ||||
In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of B.
Source: CDP (2020)
In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of B.
Source: CDP (2020) |
This company received a score of 7.2/100 (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)
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)
This company received a score of 38.8/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2017) |
The Poisonous Pearl is a 2016 report by Good Electronics which focuses on the experiences of (former) workers in the electronics industry in China who are victims of chemical poisoning. The health of all the workers in the report was damaged by exposure to hazardous chemicals such as benzene and n-hexane. All were working in large or small factories in the Pearl River Delta-region of China, an area well known as being a global hub for the production of consumer electronics (ICT). This company is supplied by factories in the region.
Source: SOMO (2016)
In 2012 this company has agreed to pay Dell and two other companies US$198.5m to settle a lawsuit for fixing LCD panel prices in Europe and North America. Sharp will settle the lawsuit, filed in November 2009, which was against a group of companies for collusion on prices of LCD panels sold to Dell. The decision was made independent of the other companies. [Listed under information due to age of court finding]
Source: news article (2012)
In Nov 2008, LG Display, Sharp, and Chunghwa Picture Tubes agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges for participating in a liquid crystal display price-fixing conspiracy and pay $585 million in fines, the U.S. Department of Justice. Sharp were fined US$120 million. [Listed under information due to age of court finding]
Source: news article (2008)
In Dec 2011 this company and five other makers of liquid crystal displays agreed to pay more than $535m to settle consumer and state regulatory claims in the USA that they conspired to fix prices for LCD panels in televisions, notebook computers and monitors. Sharp agreed to pay $115.5m plus state penalties of $6m.
Source: news article (2011)
This company has sustainability claims on its website, mainly in the areas of environmental and social activities.
Source: company website (2020)
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition's Recycling Report Card evaluates takeback and recycling programs for computer, TV, printer and game console companies. The report card focuses on the programs available to consumers in the US, and relies on publicly available information, as of Sept 2010. This company received a grade of C for its recycling efforts in the USA.
Source: Electronics TakeBack Coalition (2010)
The California Transparency in Supply Chains Act of 2010 (SB 657) requires companies operating in California to disclose their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their direct supply chains. KnowTheChain.org has examined this company's disclosure statement and concluded that it addresses the majority of SB 657 requirements. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website (2014)
C- grade in the Baptist World Aid Australia's Behind the Barcode 'Ethical Electronics Guide 2016', which grades companies on their efforts to mitigate the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation throughout their supply chains. Assessment criteria fall into four main categories: policies, traceability & transparency, monitoring & training and worker rights.
Source: Baptist World Aid Australia (2016) |
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Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd | ||||
In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of B-.
Source: CDP (2020)
This company received a score of 62.1/100 (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) |
The 2019 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 200 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world from the Agricultural Products, Apparel, Extractives and ICT Manufacturing sectors on 100 human rights indicators. This company's score was in the 10-20 band range. The overall average score was a disappointing 24%.
Source: CHRB (2019)
This open letter from the iLabour Action Group to Foxconn Technology Group outlines several labour rights violations by this company in its Chinese factories including constant illegal overtime and inadequate base wages which have led to mental health issues amongst workers, sometimes leading to suicides.
Source: SACOM (2015)
This company received a score of 26.6/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2017)
This 2016 scorecard by SOMO compares electronics companies on their policies and efforts regarding responsible mining and the elimination of child labour, with special attention to the mining of gold. This company received the lowest rating on the scorecard.
Source: Stop Child Labour (2016)
In 2020, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of D.
Source: CDP (2020)
In 2020/21 KnowTheChain benchmarked over 180 large global companies in the ICT, Food & Beverage, and Apparel & Footwear sectors on their efforts to address forced labour and human trafficking in their supply chains. This company received a score of 28/100.
Source: KnowTheChain (2021)
Electronics manufacturing in Brazil started with the same kinds of labour violations as seen in countries like China. However over time Brazil's comprehensive labour laws and enforcement thereof have improved conditions for workers, particularly in the areas of excessive working hours and inappropriate use of temporary labour. Despite this, wages are still well below a living wage, unhealthy working conditions remain, and workers still experience harassment and a "culture of fear".
Source: SOMO (2017)
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 27/100 in the Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2021) |
This 2012 investigative report by SACOM shows labour rights violations remain the norm in factories run by Foxconn. Violations include excessive overtime, inhumane treatment, no freedom of speech, no freedom of association and unsafe working environments. [Listed under information due to age of report]
Source: SACOM (2012)
The Poisonous Pearl is a 2016 report by Good Electronics which focuses on the experiences of (former) workers in the electronics industry in China who are victims of chemical poisoning. The health of all the workers in the report was damaged by exposure to hazardous chemicals such as benzene and n-hexane. All were working in large or small factories in the Pearl River Delta-region of China, an area well known as being a global hub for the production of consumer electronics (ICT). This company is supplied by factories in the region.
Source: SOMO (2016)
This 2011 report is a follow-up to a 2008 Make IT Fair report which researched working conditions at four electronics factories operating in China. While conditions have improved, workers still endure excessive overtime, low wages and disrespect of union rights.
Source: SOMO (2011)
This company has Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility claims on its website.
Source: company website (2015)
This company is a member of the Responsible Business Alliance (formerly the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition), a non-profit coalition of electronics companies which supports the rights and wellbeing of workers and communities worldwide affected by the global electronics supply chain. RBA members commit and are held accountable to a common Code of Conduct and utilize a range of RBA training and assessment tools to support continuous improvement in the social, environmental and ethical responsibility of their supply chains.
Source: RBA (2017)
This company is a member of the Responsible Minerals Initiative (formerly the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative), which helps companies address conflict minerals issues in their supply chains. The RMI provides information on conflict-free smelters and refiners, common tools to gather sourcing information, and forums for exchanging best practices on addressing conflict minerals. Membership is open to companies that use or transact in tantalum, tin, tungsten or gold (3TG). Founded in 2008 by members of the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative.
Source: RMI (2019)
This 2015 report by Good Electronics rates electronics companies on their compliance with labour rights in Mexico. This company was rated 'bare minimum'.
Source: Good Electronics (2015)
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) |
Company Details
Type | Wholly-owned subsidiary |
Employees | 250 in 2013 |
Contact Details
Address | 1 Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood, NSW, 2148, Australia |
Phone | 02 9830 4600 |
Website | www.sharp.net.au |
Products / Brands
Sharp Australia
Sharp Audio Equipment Sharp Televisions Sharp Fridges & Freezers Sharp Microwaves Sharp Washing Machines & Dryers |