Bitcoin Global News (BGN)
February 19, 2019 -- ADVFN Crypto NewsWire -- Apple recently
submitted a document to the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission detailing their work to uphold and exceed the
humanitarian standards involved in producing their electronic
products. The document includes explanations of their
practices, organizational involvement to continue improving
their model as well as a list of all their raw materials sources.
The document “Conflict Minerals Report,” includes information
regarding blockchain technology, the groups’ involved with research
with Apple and some of the benefits that the technology can offer
to sourcing raw materials internationally.
Apple is deeply committed to
upholding human rights across its global network of suppliers that
support the manufacturing of its mobile communication and media
devices, personal computers, and related accessories. Apple works
to safeguard the well-being of people involved in its supply chain
and to protect the places where materials are sourced. Through its
strict supplier standards, Apple commits to use minerals in its
products that do not directly or indirectly finance armed conflict
or benefit armed groups. (https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/320193/000119312519041571/d694085dex101.htm)
Apple and Blockchain
Tech
Previously, the only significant
interest that Apple had shown in cryptocurrencies or blockchain
technology was through a patent filing that involved two of the
fundamental elements of the technology. In December of 2017, Apple
proposed program to certify timestamps through a process of aspects
of blockchain technology and Public Key Infrastructure
(PKI).
However, this new report cites
their participation in groups that are looking to improve the
supply chain management systems involved in producing their
products. The company engaged a diverse set of civil society,
industry, and government experts, as well as partnered with the
Enough Project. Their goal as an international human rights
organization is to convene a series of expert group meetings to
discuss opportunities to work collectively on innovative approaches
to responsibly sourcing minerals in the supply chain.
RMI and Blockchain
Tech
Supply chain management firms are
becoming more aware of the benefits blockchain technology has for
the establish processes. Startups are bringing the basic structure
of the technology to the supply chains of all types of products.
But6 in this case, the transfer of Apple’s raw materials can have
serious implications on human rights.
In 2018 Apple joined a group of
companies looking to develop industry-wide standards, including the
Responsible Artisanal Gold Solutions Forum’s Artisanal Gold Due
Diligence Toolkit; the Code of Risk-mitigation for ASM (artisanal
and small-scale mining) engaging in Formal Trade (CRAFT Code), as
well as the Blockchain Guidelines of the Responsible Business
Alliance’s Responsible Minerals Initiative (“RMI”).
The RMI Blockchain Guidelines seek
to reduce the fragmentation of blockchain projects by recommending
a set of fundamental attributes for projects to include at each
stage of mineral supply chains. The Guidelines are inspired by the
success of the RMI’s Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT)
and its underlying data exchange standard. They are agnostic to the
type of operations for mineral production, trade and processing as
well as the mineral or metal itself. - RMI
By: BGN Editorial Staff