Hitachi

How ethical and sustainable is Hitachi? 

The Good Shopping Guide’s Ethical Televisions Ratings Table includes Hitachi. Hitachi has yet to fulfil our ethical requirements, but we hope that the brand will make the necessary changes in the future to operate as a more ethical organisation. The TV brand might boost customer confidence by applying for Ethical Accreditation, which would entail a more thorough review as well as recommendations for ethical development.

What does Hitachi do?

Hitachi is a Japanese multinational company that specialises in operational technologies founded in 2910 and established in 1920. Hitachi in Europe consists of 150 individual companies.

The brand is owned by Vestel Elektronik Sanayi Ve Ticaret A.Ş. and Zorlu Holding.

For which criteria does Hitachi perform poorly? 

Hitachi received a low rating for its use of ECO Labels, Fossil Fuels investments and Conflict Materials. Zorlu Energy, one of the brand’s parent companies, operates several natural gas power plants.

Hitachi’s other parent company came under criticism for Human Rights issues for its conduct during Covid-19, read more on these Human Rights infringements here.

Zorlu has a Code of Conduct policy that states minimum working age but does not comment on working hours, which results in a middle rating, Hitachi’s parent companies also claim to operate within the defence industry. The brand’s Environmental & Sustainability page includes some general targets such as being Net Zero by 2050, but for a company of this size, it is brief and not very ambitious so it also receives a middle rating.

In what areas does Hitachi score well for its ethics?

Hitachi receives a high score for having no Nuclear Power issues, Animal Welfare concerns or Political Donations. Hitachi has also not faced any other criticisms to comment on.

How can Hitachi improve its Ethical Rating?
The Ethical Rating of a brand is divided into three categories by The Good Shopping Guide: the Environment, People and Animals.

Hitachi should apply for Ethical Accreditation for a more detailed assessment and relevant guidance on how to improve.

Hitachi could improve its rating and fulfil our fundamental ethical requirements by improving its Code of Conduct and Environmental Report as well as looking at the brand’s links to Conflict Materials and Fossil Fuels.

Why not check out The Good Shopping Guide‘s Ethical Accreditation if you work for or with a Television company that places ethics high on its priority list?

Contact us to learn more, or complete our short form for an initial ethics and sustainability evaluation.