In addition to our suppliers' operations we also need to consider the materials they provide.

Nokia is an industry leader in substance management. Our main objective is that we know all the materials in our products, not just those that raise concerns, and that they are safe for people and the environment when used in the proper way. Our sourcing organization and suppliers play a key role in ensuring our components and parts are safe and compliant with the Nokia Substance List (NSL).

The NSL identifies substances that Nokia has banned, restricted, or targeted for reduction with the aim of phasing out their use in Nokia products. We also require suppliers to have a record of the raw material content of products supplied to us and, if needed, to provide end-of-life treatment recommendations.

Learn more about Substance management in our Environment section.

EU REACH Regulation

In June 2007, the EU regulations on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) came into force. According to this regulation, companies have obligations to ensure that the chemical substances they manufacture, import or found in articles considered as “substances of very high concern”, are registered, authorized or notified according to legal requirements.

To support our suppliers we provided information to them and have ongoing discussions to ensure they are aware of the REACH regulations, understand the requirements and are taking responsibility for compliance to ensure uninterrupted supply.

Origin of raw materials

In addition to knowing what is in our products, we try to establish where the materials in our products have come from and whether they been extracted or produced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Although Nokia does not buy raw materials directly, we recognize that we have an environmental and social responsibility to ensure these are responsibly sourced by our suppliers.

How far does our responsibility go down the supply chain?

Nokia’s primary focus is on those suppliers with whom we contract and work with directly. Our suppliers are required to meet Nokia Supplier Requirements and product environmental requirements that define expectations for our suppliers, the components, parts and services they supply. Nokia Supplier Requirements request that our suppliers in turn set environmental, labor and health & safety requirements, and monitor the performance of their suppliers. We believe each tier of the supply chain must take responsibility for managing its own suppliers to achieve positive, sustainable improvements throughout the entire supply chain.

If concerns arise regarding the performance of 2nd/3rd tier suppliers, Nokia works deeper down the supply chain to investigate and address any concerns.

For certain materials of concern or alternative new materials, Nokia works with suppliers to evaluate and promote environmental and social improvements further down the supply chain. This work involves increasing the transparency of the supply chains of these materials, understanding the commitments of each tier, working at an industry level and with stakeholders. Our efforts with Tantalum are one example of work to tackle materials of concern, and biomaterials is an example of alternative new material.