Conflict Minerals: Want an Ethical Smartphone? Fairphone 3 Is on the Way – but Tiny Market Share Suggests Few Care

Tim Anderson, Register
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Fairphone, whose devices are designed to be sustainable and made in exploitation-free factories, will kick out its third unit in mid-September, priced at €450.00 including VAT. The business, which describes itself as a social enterprise, is based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands and has 70+ employees around the world. Its approach is based on fairness in the supply chain – avoiding conflict minerals (minerals mined in the context of armed conflict or human rights abuse), using suppliers where workers are treated fairly, and sourcing from Fairtrade certified companies, designing for repairability and long life, and using recycled materials where possible.