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New ‘EthoSourcing’ guidelines launched to improve working conditions, environmental footprint and wider corporate social responsibility
TORONTO, ONTARIO (February 1, 2008) -- Aastra Technologies Limited - (TSX: “AAH”), a global provider of open-standard communication products, systems and solutions, announced that it has launched a new ethical policy to further ensure that its manufacturing partners conform to stringent guidelines on areas such as health and safety, treatment of staff and the environment. Aastra’s ‘EthoSourcing’ policy – based on the Electronic Industry Code of Conduct (EICC) - contains procedures which all of the company’s contract manufacturers (CMs) must adhere to and is monitored by dedicated Aastra auditors.
Aastra’s EthoSourcing program covers a wide range of issues, such as health and safety, wages and benefits, forced and child labor, harassment, abuse and non-discrimination, as well as sound environmental practices. Aastra’s auditors are involved from the initial CM selection stage and monitor factory conditions throughout the lifetime of the contract. Aastra partners are expected to comply with the ISO 9001 standard for sound management and the ISO 14001 standard which regulates the environmental impact on an organization’s practices.
Rudy Scholaert, Vice President of Global Supply Management for Aastra, said: “Aastra’s goal has always been to develop and market quality and competitively-priced communication products and systems for business markets. At the core of this policy is our belief that products must be manufactured in a manner which promotes our concern for the human condition, especially given that we have expanded strategic partnerships in emerging markets.”
As a sign of their continued commitment to their global social responsibilities Aastra’s suppliers, CMs and service providers are also encouraged to join Aastra in actively supporting a number of global projects to help foster social development around the world.
“While many technology companies pledge a greater commitment towards environmental sustainability, Aastra goes a step further in fostering ethical business practices across its value chain. Its ‘EthoSourcing’ program characterizes supply chain management with a conscience; helping partners achieve a healthy triple bottom line” added Sharifah Amirah, Research Manager, ICT Europe at Frost & Sullivan.
About Aastra Technologies Limited
Aastra Technologies Limited (TSX: “AAH”), is a global company at the forefront of the Enterprise Communication market. Headquartered in Concord, Ontario, Canada, Aastra develops and delivers innovative and integrated solutions that address the communication needs of businesses small and large around the world. Aastra enables Enterprises to communicate and collaborate more efficiently and effectively by offering customers a full range of open standard IP-based and traditional communications networking products, including terminals, systems, and applications. For additional information on Aastra, visit our website at http://www.aastra.com.
Aastra® is a registered trademark of Aastra Technologies Limited.
Media Contact:
Steve Hawkins
+1 905.760.4251
shawkins@aastra.com
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Press Contact
Aastra Technologies Ltd.
155 Snow Blvd.
Concord, Ontario
Canada
L4K 4N9
press@aastra.com
Media Contact:
press@aastra.com
Contact Investor Relations:
investors@aastra.com
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