On 15 August 2022, Ethical Consumer viewed Apple’s 2022 Environmental Progress Report, the latest available, for the company's policy on the use of potentially hazardous chemicals such as PVC, BFR and phthalates.
A toxics policy was deemed necessary for all electronics companies, as these substances were widely used by electronics companies and had a significant negative environmental impact when released after disposal.
The document addressed the use of PVC, BFR and phthalates and included a table listing the dates at which these substances and others had been phased out of use in specific parts of products and/or packaging. However, the company did not appear to have stated future targets for the complete elimination of these substances.
It stated that it had eliminated Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and phthalates from its products, with the following exception: "AC power cords in India, Thailand (for 2-prong AC power cords), and South Korea, where we continue to seek government approval for our PVC and phthalates replacement"
As the company had already achieved the elimination of PVC, BFR and phthalates from its products except in some exceptional cases, which it was working to resolve, it received Ethical Consumer’s best rating for its pollution and toxics policy.
Reference:
2022 Environmental Progress Report (15 August 2022)