KEY TAKEAWAYS

• E-waste has been an unfortunate by-product of rising living standards globally – investors can encourage companies to reduce the potential health and environmental hazards created by e-waste in the first place and shift towards greater circularity in the IT Hardware economy. Estimates suggest that less than 20% of e-waste is collected and properly recycled.
• Increased compliance demands, such as those created by the US ban on Xinjiang imports, will likely force companies to take steps towards deeper knowledge of labour practices within their supply chain.
• Even if pandemic-related effects fade, rising geopolitical tensions and more severe weather provide plenty of incentive for IT Hardware companies to consider diversifying their supply chains.
• The existence of labour rights, human rights, corruption, and environmental controversies in the IT Hardware industries point to potential failures to conduct human rights due diligence and show appropriate concern for the right to favorable and just working conditions.
• Across the IT Hardware landscape, the proportion of Prime companies ranges from 8% for Electronic Components to 17% for Electronic Devices & Appliances. 15% and 13% of Semiconductor and Semiconductor Equipment companies respectively are rated Prime.