Publication - March 17, 2008
A newcomer to the Guide at the last ranking, Sharp rises to number 14 from 15, by improving the information that it provides to customerson its take-back services. The company scores well on most of the chemicals criteria, already providing examples of models most of whosecomponents are free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). For example, all Sharp mobiles (sold inJapan) and many models of LCD TVs are free of PVC, except accessories.Sharp scores top marks for setting a timeline of end of 2010 by which it intends to eliminate PVC and all BFRs from its entire productportfolio. To improve its score, Sharp needs to sharpen up its policies and practices on e-waste.