Confidential Customer Relationships and Secure Products
Bittium specialises in the development of reliable, secure communications and connectivity solutions as well as mobile data security solutions. We also offer our customers healthcare technology products and services. Sustainability and responsibility are evident throughout the whole life-cycle of our products, from material choices to maintenance, confidentiality and data security.
Trust is one of our values and a cornerstone of our business. It refers equally to our customer relationships, products, services and operating methods. The continuous improvement of our operations, innovative and agile product development, meeting customer wishes and expectations as well as development in cooperation with our customers form the foundation of our sustainable business model and competitiveness.
Confidential Customer Relationships
Taking into account our customersī specific requirements pertaining to our sector and technology is the cornerstone of a confidential customer relationship. As our operating environment changes, we face new and exciting business requirements. We must be in the vanguard of meeting these requirements. For example, to be able to respond to material enquiries within a tight schedule we should develop product information management further. Our challenge and area of development is to get through the new requirements throughout the delivery chain.
Our operating methods especially take into account data security and keeping the confidential information of our customers secret. Our products are designed to be secure, always taking into account the needs of our customers. Described in more detail under ‘Corporate citizenship and sustainable business practicesī, our ethical Code of Conduct is also an important element of our secure and responsible way of working with our customers and interest groups.
Systems and Standards
Standards define the mutual ways of working that make the operations easier for the authorities as well as companies. Standardisation also makes it easier to promote global exports.
For us, certified integrated management systems are an important tool with which we can improve our efficiency and reliability, transparency and customer satisfaction. More and more, our customers also expect our products and operating methods to be standardised and certified.
At the end of 2018, we were using five certified systems. All in all, we take into account approximately 400 different standards in our operations.
In June 2018, we also began an external information security system audit pursuant to ISO 27001. The process will be completed during the first half of 2019.
Certified systems
Quality systems: ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and AQAP 2110
Environmental systems: ISO 14001, ISO 50001
Data security systems: ISO 27001, Katakri and different facility security approvals
The standards and directives conformed to in sustainability work
OHSAS 18001, SA8000, GRI G4, Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), Ethical Trade Directive (ETI), Conflict Mineral (USA, EU)
EU ROHS(I,II,III), Reach, WEEE, Regulation on Waste, ErP (Energy-related Product), Battery Directive, Packaging Directives
Secure Products
The working lives of our products are long, and our products are designed to last throughout their life-cycle. In addition to the environmental effect of our products, we take into account the safety and security of our products, product materials and product components as well as compliance with product liability regulations in our target markets.
We utilize the relevant industry standards in the design of the electrical safety and performance features of our products. Customer, country and market-specific requirements are also taken into account in device development.
The products are tested, verified and approved as part of the R&D process, both by internal and external auditors. For example, in Europe our products are expected to display the CE label and the related Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
We also audit our product development projects in accordance with the PSSL (Product Safety, Security and Liability) audit procedures as part of Bittiumīs End Product Process (EPP) requirements. Our employees receive PSSL product liability training. In addition, we systematically assess product and life-cycle risks as part of our R&D work.
Sustainable Purchase
Bittiumīs products contain a range of electronic and mechanical components. We ensure the sustainability of our purchase chain, for instance, in the form of material and component supplier requirements and material assessments. We conform to a sustainable way of working and require the same of our suppliers. Our partners must comply with the principles of Bittiumīs Code of Conduct and the Bittium Supplier Manual or Requirements instructions. We systematically develop our supplier relationship management and always review the CSR principles with our suppliers and partners.
We also audit our suppliers according to the specified criteria. The audit is carried out as a self-assessment compared to Bittiumīs supplier requirements or as an audit conducted by Bittium.
Employee training is also an important part of ensuring sustainable purchase. Sustainable procurement is part of the environmental training package which our employees are expected to study on their own.
Conflict Minerals
The aim of conflict minerals laws and regulations is to stop funding conflicts through minerals trade and, ultimately, to address human rights violations and environmental destruction in conflict areas.
We encourage that our suppliers comply with the legislation on conflict minerals and recommended reporting practices. This way, we are working towards to ensure that the minerals used in Bittium products do not originate from conflict or risk zones.
In practice, the legislation requires responsible procurement and transparent supply chains in the case of certain minerals, such as tin, tantalum, wolfram and gold from conflict areas. These minerals are typically used in household goods, and they are particularly common in electronics such as mobile devices and computers.
Avoiding Counterfeit Materials
Counterfeit materials are any materials with a falsely presented origin, age, consistency, configuration, certification status or other feature or with misleading markings on the material, package label or container.
We are aware of the risks associated with counterfeit materials, both when purchasing materials as ready components and using the reported raw materials. Bittium is committed to taking the necessary steps to avoid using counterfeit materials in its products. We have developed our supplier reporting methods to avoid the use of counterfeit materials. They address the different stages of the purchase process, all the way from the selection of suppliers. We also provide training on the detection of counterfeit materials for our employees.
No counterfeit materials were found in Bittiumīs products in 2018.