An NGO says Apple and Intel are concerned about the pollution caused by their Taiwanese supplier Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE).
The Kaohsiung City Government ordered ASE to shut down a factory last year after the plant was found to have pumped toxic wastewater into a nearby river.
Following the incident, the NGO Citizen of the Earth teamed up with 50 environmental protection and labor groups from Taiwan and abroad to put pressure on companies that placed orders with ASE. They demanded that the companies stop buying from ASE before meaningful improvements are made.
An official with Citizen of the Earth, Chiu Hua-mei, said on Thursday that their demand has been heard. She also said Apple and Intel have both responded.
"Big international brands felt the pressure coming from consumers, and environmental protection and labor groups," said Chiu. "They attach great importance to supply chain management and are aware of their corporate social responsibilities. They demand that their suppliers improve their practices in environmental protection and labor rights," she said.
The ASE plant may resume operation soon after the Kaohsiung City Government conditionally approved its plans for improvement last month.