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Epson’s production site in Suzhou, China has received Platinum recognition under the Responsible Business Alliance’s (RBA) Validated Assessment Program, following independent audits of its supply chain and labour practices.
The company confirmed that Epson Precision Suzhou Co., Ltd. (EPSZ) achieved the highest possible rating, reserved for facilities that receive a perfect VAP score of 200 and close all Priority, Major and Minor findings.
Third-Party Audits Confirm Compliance
The Responsible Business Alliance is an industry coalition focused on supply chain responsibility. Its assessment program evaluates facilities across labour conditions, health and safety, environmental practices and ethics.
Epson has been a member of the RBA since April 2019 and has opted into regular, voluntary audits across key production locations. These audits are carried out by RBA-approved independent assessors, rather than internal teams.
According to Epson, the Suzhou site passed all VAP requirements with no outstanding issues across the RBA’s code of conduct, securing its Platinum status.
The company said the recognition reflected its broader strategy to embed corporate social responsibility practices across its manufacturing footprint.
Other Sites Also Reach Platinum
While EPSZ was the latest to be recognised, Epson stated that other production facilities in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China and the Philippines had also completed VAP assessments, with several reaching Platinum status.
The full list of recognised sites is available on Epson’s sustainability evaluation page at https://corporate.epson/en/sustainability/evaluation.
Executive Officer and General Administrative Manager of the Production Planning Division, Akifumi Takei, said the outcome reaffirmed Epson’s focus on ethics, human rights and sustainability in product manufacturing.
“Epson remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the RBA Code of Conduct,” he said.
“Our goal is to forge a sustainable and enriching society and, through the RBA’s VAP, will continue to ensure that Epson products are manufactured with the utmost regard for human rights and environmental sustainability.”
CSR Now a Supply Chain Priority
The VAP Platinum tier has become a widely recognised indicator of supplier compliance across electronics and manufacturing sectors, especially as global supply chains face increased scrutiny from regulators and customers.
In recent years, facilities that fail RBA audits have risked commercial consequences, including contract losses, reputational damage or blacklisting by procurement teams.
By securing top-tier scores, Epson joins a small group of manufacturers that can demonstrate independent, third-party validation of their factory conditions across environmental, labour and safety measures.
For a sector that continues to face pressure over responsible sourcing and ethical production, Epson’s VAP recognition puts it in a stronger position when dealing with both regulators and buyers.
Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Nick Ross
