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 2017][More on Packaging] |
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 2018][More on Finance] |
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Sharp Corporation | ||||
In 2012 the Enough Project published the Conflict Minerals Company Rankings, which ranked the world's largest electronics companies on their efforts toward using and investing in conflict-free minerals in their products. This company received a 'Red' ranking, signifying it has "done next to nothing to shift their practices toward conflict-free from Congo. They are not members of industry-wide efforts, have not taken the proper steps to investigate their supply chains, have said nothing about legislation, and are not actively engaged with other stakeholders."
[Source 2012][More on Human Rights]
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 2017][More on Sustainability Reporting]
This company received a score of 13/100 (retrieved 14-Feb-2018) 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 2018][More on Habitats]
Greenpeace's 2014 report, Green Gadgets, compares companies on their efforts to eliminate hazardous chemicals from their electronics products. This company's phase out of PVC and/or BFRs is only partial and its commitment to future action is unclear, or there is insufficient progress.
[Source 2014][More on Product Safety]
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.
[Source 2012][More on Governance]
The 2015 Solar Scorecard, produced by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, rates solar panel producers on their commitment to the environment and worker safety. Areas looked at include emissions transparency, chemical reductions plan, workers rights and conflict minerals. This company received a score of 36/100.
[Source 2015][More on Governance]
This company received a SAM Rank of 33/100 in the Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics category of the 2018 SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment. The index is 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 2018][More on Sustainability Reporting] |
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 2016][More on Workers Rights]
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 2008][More on Governance]
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 2011][More on Governance]
This company has sustainability claims on its website, mainly in the areas of environmental and social activities.
[Source 2013][More on Sustainability Reporting]
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 2010][More on Habitats]
In 2018, 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 C.
[Source 2018][More on Climate Change]
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 2014][More on Human Rights]
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 2016][More on Workers Rights]
In 2018, 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 C.
[Source 2018][More on Human Rights] |
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Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd | ||||
This company received a score of 63.5/100 (retrieved 14-Feb-2018) 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 2018][More on Habitats] |
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 2015][More on Workers Rights]
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 2017][More on Sustainability Reporting]
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 2016][More on Human Rights]
In 2018 KnowTheChain benchmarked 120 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 33/100.
[Source 2018][More on Workers Rights]
In 2018, 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 2018][More on Human Rights]
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 2017][More on Workers Rights]
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 2011][More on Workers Rights] |
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 2012][More on Workers Rights]
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 2016][More on Workers Rights]
This company has Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility claims on its website.
[Source 2015][More on Sustainability Reporting]
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 2017][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]
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 2019][More on Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives]
In 2018, 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 C.
[Source 2018][More on Climate Change]
This 2015 report by Good Electronics rates electronics companies on their compliance with labour rights in Mexico. This company was rated 'bare minimum'.
[Source 2015][More on Workers Rights]
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 2015] |
Company Details
Company Structure | 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 Sharp Small Kitchen Appliances |