Does it matter where your tech comes from?

The difference is that legislation can be applied to require manufacturers to meet or exceed standards if there is a case for doing so. Since the same rules apply to everyone, it does not affect competition.

That’s why I said legislation should be applied if there is a case for doing so. Hopefully those who make the decisions will be well informed and act wisely.

Not politicians then!

I would not trust politicians to organise the consumption of lots of beer in the place it is made. 🙂

But seriously, it would be nice to see companies competing with each other to gain public respect for their environmental and social responsibility. I’m happy to spend a bit more on goods that I expect to be durable and could be persuaded to support companies that behave responsibly.

I think your trust is misplaced – it is probably what they are best at 🙁 . I would (and, I think, do) pay for reliability and durability where it makes sense. However, I regret I find it impossible to decide whether many companies are responsible – the information is just not there. Easier to find those that seem irresponsible. But there are some companies I trust more than others, and will deal with those whenever possible. Something I have learned recently about watches – you don’t get what you pay for (unless you think a name is worth paying for). I bought a moderately expensive brand of watch for my wife a couple of years ago, and as a joke substituted a pink plastic digital Barbie watch in the box. The latter watch is still usable………. I am a bit naive.

It is relatively easy to make an educated guess about the quality and durability of a product based on the reputation of a company. Of course some well respected companies produce some very poor products, so care is needed.

When I read about companies’ commitment to the environment and to their employees, I don’t tend to trust what they say, any more than what I might read in their advertising. Even if what they say is true, do their sub-contractors and suppliers show the same responsibility. Though I am not happy with some of the legislation that is dreamed up by the EU, I see this as the only realistic way of ensuring that companies behave responsibly or working towards this goal. Though I have wielded soldering irons since I was a kid, the first time was when the problems of tin mining for use in solder were raised in an earlier Conversation or in the magazine. I doubt that I will give this much thought when I next buy a mobile phone, which is not a frequent occurrence. I can manage to look out for Fair Trade ground coffee and free-range eggs but I really need some organisation to help ensure that making my phone has not seriously impacted on the well-being of anyone involved in its manufacture.

One of the problems with non-durable electronic equipment is that it is rarely economic to repair, meaning more use of resources and the uncertainties about whether the waste is effectively recycled.

Your anecdote about Mrs R’s Barbie watch reminds me of a former colleague who wore an old but reliable chrome Casio digital watch (press a button to display the time!) rather than his expensive and unreliable Rolex watch.