LG ELEVATING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THROUGH JEONG-DO MANAGEMENT

LG Electronics (LG) announced that it has joined the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), aligning with a coalition of global electronics companies, software makers and service providers to promote an industry code of conduct to improve working and environmental conditions and to adopt corpo-rate social responsibility (CSR) best practices.

Aligned with global industry leaders such as IBM and HP, the latest initiative by LG follows on the heels of the company’s participation in the United Nations Global Com-pact (UNGC), a UN-led strategic policy initiative which LG joined in December that commits signatories to initiate programs that promote social responsibility. LG’s latest move is further indication of the company’s determination to give CSR a greater role in its worldwide operations.

“EICC involvement is another example of LG putting into practice its philosophy of Jeong-do Management, our unique code-of-conduct system for conducting business in a transparent and honest manner,” said Young-kee Kim, Executive Vice President and Chief Relations Officer of LG Electronics. “The success of a company rings hollow if workers and suppliers aren’t treated with respect and dignity, and management doesn’t set a good example for tomorrow’s leaders.”

In order to bring its global practices in line with the EICC Code of Conduct – which fo-cuses significantly on issues related to labor, health and safety, environment, manage-ment systems and ethics – LG has already implemented a range of measures to improve its CSR management systems at home and abroad.

Toward the end of the year, LG will introduce a Supplier Code of Conduct consistent with EICC standards for its suppliers to follow if they wish to continue their business relationship with LG. In 2011, LG will also offer its contractors training and consulting as they move to adopt management practices consistent with EICC guidelines. As part of EICC recommendations, LG will play an even greater role in the operations of its suppliers by sharing best practices, promoting CSR initiatives and helping to develop social responsibility strategies.